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The province has filed an objection with the court to protect the interests of the government as well as the Ontario steelmaker's workers and other stakeholders, Finance Minister Charles Sousa said Friday.
"Ontario supports a restructuring that is based on consensus and that gives the best value to employees, retirees, creditors and communities," Sousa said in a statement.
The government said it's concerned that some of the conditions attached to about $185 million in temporary funding from Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel could have a negative impact on employees and retirees of its Canadian subsidiary.
U.S. Steel Canada, with operations at Lake Erie Works and Hamilton Works, has the capability of producing approximately 2.6 million tons of steel annually. It employs about 2,000 people and has thousands of retired employees.
The company has said it hopes to sell both properties by next October. A sale process for Hamilton Works, which has been permanently closed since December 2013 after being idled in late 2010, could begin within months with a sale of Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke to begin in March.
U.S. Steel Canada has accumulated an operating loss of about $2.4 billion since 2009 and filed for court protection from creditors on Sept. 16.
Ontario is one of U.S. Steel Canada's creditors due to a $150-million loan to the company. Ontario also has an agreement with the company requiring it to guarantee certain pension payments.
"The province is working to ensure that the company lives up to these obligations, does not put the repayment of inter-company loans ahead of its pension obligations, and continues to have responsibility for any environmental liabilities associated with its Canadian operations," Sousa said in his statement.
New Democrat Paul Miller said both Ontario and the federal government have "dropped the ball" in enforcing U.S. Steel Canada's obligations to workers.
"U.S. Steel's 'debtor-in-possession' application is set up to make sure the U.S. parent gets its money out of Ontario first and gets a first shot at buying the Lake Erie Works," Miller said in a statement.
"Meanwhile, the application leaves workers and retirees at the end of the line, wondering whether their pensions will be there like they were promised. Employees and retirees should come before the wealthy American parent company."
U.S. Steel Canada has said it will carry on business as usual while it develops and implements a comprehensive restructuring solution under a process governed by the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, or CCAA.
Typically, a company in CCAA attempts to obtain a commitment for money — referred to as debtor-in-possession financing — that can be used to pay its expenses during a process taking months or years to complete.
Progressive Conservative critic Ted Arnott said the Liberal government has taken "deliberate policy decisions" on electricity rates, taxes and "excessive red tape" that have made Ontario less competitive.
"I feel very strongly the minister should publicly take responsibility for his government's misguided policies, which made us uncompetitive," Arnott said.


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This is a NEW 3.0L complete sterndrive package. This 3.0L complete sterndrive package is ideal for replacing most Mercruiser, Marine Power and OMC 3.0L marine engines.
Our complete engines are ideal for full repower of the weekend cruiser or family ski boat. Our complete engines are manufactured by Marine Power and held to the same quality standards as their OEM (original equipment manufacturer) products. The complete engine leaves you with the peace of mind of all new parts when cruising the water. Although hard to exactly match every prior engine application, our Marine Power complete engines are designed and engineered to match other manufacturer's applications closely to reduce labor and modifications during installation. Our complete engines have options choices to match or upgrade from your current engine.
For items received as described, a refund of the final invoice price (minus shipping and handling charges and a 15% restocking fee) will be issued. Buyer is responsible for return shipping costs and for sufficiently packing and insuring returned items unless otherwise agreed upon. Refunds will not be issued for damaged merchandise. All returns must be made within 15 days of delivery to you. No refunds for electronic parts if box is opened. All returns must have a RMA # and invoice #. 15% restocking fee on any complete engine.
Please email email@example.com for a RMA #
Returns must be shipped to: Marine Engine Depot17506 MPH Industrial ParkPonchatoula, LA 70454
If parts arrive damaged in shipment, it is the customers responsibility to notify the carrier immediately and reject the damaged package. Contact Marine Engine Depot for potential freight damage. A claim will be filed and we will send out the identical part.

subset: commoncrawl


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Seven minutes from Queenstown and spectacularly situated on Lake Wakatipu, Matakauri Lodge offers eleven luxurious suites and villas, each with private terraces looking out to a dramatic Queenstown lakeside, with mountain views.
Matakauri Lodge will be your exclusive retreat in Queenstown, while you get the opportunity to experience spectacular scenery and adventure activities like white water rafting, paragliding, jet boating and heli-skiing, just to name a few. Experience endless leisure pastimes of a more passive nature, such as hiking, horse riding, wineries, trout fishing, scenic flights to places like the unforgettable Milford Sound, hidden lakes and much, much more. The staff at Matakauri Lodge will go out of their way to ensure that your Queenstown experience at this world class luxury resort will never be surpassed and we look forward to welcoming you to the lodge.
Amy Waters
+44(0) 1285 651 010
Read more
Deborah Brock-Doyle
+44 (0) 1285 651010
Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive
21 days from £4,895pp excluding flights
View holiday
New Zealand - South Island Self-drive
25 days from £7,295pp excluding flights
New Zealand - Luxury Honeymoon
16 days from £12,995pp excluding flights
New Zealand Cruise - Auckland to Milford Sound
13 days from £6,395pp excluding flights
Can't find what you're looking for?
© Steppes Travel, 51 Castle St, Cirencester, GL7 1QD, United Kingdom


text: Gentaur has a wide range of serums -both treated and untreated. We offer serums from all species and depending on your needs the serum could be treated furtherly (sterile, heat inactivated, gamma Irradiated, etc). You can as well choose the origin of the needed serum. Contact us by email (firstname.lastname@example.com) for more information.


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If I were stranded somewhere in Europe due to the ash cloud from Eyjafjallajökull, this sublime time-lapse video might make me think it was all worth it. Shot by Sean Steigemeier, this is steigeringly beautiful. It's not even clear to me where his greatest talent lay---in videography, or in the editing. His other videos, accessible here, are equally astonishing.
Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull - May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.


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Trip Facts
- Destination:Nepal
- Trip Grade:Moderate - Challenging
- Total Duration:
Mera Peak lies to the south of Everest and northeast to Lukla within the relatively inhabited Hinku and Honga valley. It is the highest permitted trekking peak in Nepal. Its popularity comes from the fact that five of the world's 14 over 8,000 M Mountains are visible in the near distance from the summit.
J.O.M. Roberts and Sen. Tenzing made the first successful ascent of Mera Peak on 20 May 1953. The route they used is still the standard route for the climbing. Mera Peak climbing follow the same trails as Everest trekking route from Jiri by crossing the high hill and spectacular gorges of Everest region before entering the less wilderness of the Hindu valley. Another alternative route to Mera is from south of Lukla to Tangnag, which start after the short flight from Lukla. After that, you can trek up to beautiful and remote Hinku valley.
Here you will see the amazing view of rhododendron and bamboo forest. This provides a fantastic trek which for many will be as memorable as the climb itself. You can always come back over the Zatr La after you've climbed Mera. Trekking route to Mera offers a panoramic view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Cho-Oyo and Lhotse along with another peak such as Baruntse in the east, Chamlang, Ama Dablam and Kangtega to the west can be viewed. Under favorable conditions, it is possible to climb the peak and come back on the same day. For the tea breaks, you can get tea house all the way to base camp. The famous ethnic Sherpa people are very friendly in this area.
Trekking Planner organizes all types of Peak climbing in Nepal including Mera peak with reasonable price. In this trip, we will provide an experience climbing guide and Sherpa and very strong porter those who have been there many times. We are here to make your adventure holiday enjoyable and hassle-free. We also make customized itinerary and package for individual or groups.


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Random Feelings
Reluctantly walking on the empty pathway on a clear and frosty night, i was reflecting on my melancholic life.
It'll be alright, they say. But, when?
I wish i could turn back time and remain the little misbehaving cute child at school who laughed for no reason with my comrades.
I wish i could tell him how i really feel and all that was in my head.
I wish i could fly and touch the sky.
I wish i could travel around the world chasing sunsets and never look back.
I wish i could count the stars with no worries and responsibilities.
I wish i could undo my mistakes. I wish i could unmeet someone. I wish i could unlove someone.
I wish i could control my life away.
These days, sleep is an escape.
Unanticipatedly, my musings were interrupted by the hushed tones of two little girls. They were clearly homeless and scraggy.
I pulled out a chestnut candy from the pocket of my sweat pants and handed it over to them.
Their grey eyes, filled with curiosity stared back at me and expressed their admiration.
I was positive that they wanted to be me. They wanted the life i was living.
Striding along the path of thick old mahagony, i sat in my car negligent of the curve on my lips.
Questions & Answers
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Ford Motor Company (F) and Volkswagen AG (VLKAF) have decided to join forces to make commercial vehi...
Simple, $50 a Month Retirement Plan
03/11/2011 11:32 am EST
Focus: STOCKS
Before the information age brought dizzying, super-complicated trading strategies only a computer could easily decipher, many people a generation or two ago made respectable fortunes by purchasing stocks $50 or $100 at a time and holding them. This strategy is hardly dead—and Roger Conrad, of Utility Forecaster, has found an unexpected way of playing it, as he explains in this exclusive interview with MoneyShow.com.
Roger, you recently wrote a very interesting piece where you looked at a group of stocks, and you said based on that you can't say buy-and-hold is dead, because you did pretty well by buying them and just holding them.
Can you tell us what stocks those were?
Well, they were utility stocks. Essential service companies. What I did is I had a group of direct stock-purchase plans—basically, you send a check to the companies, and they reinvest dividends for you.
Now hold on—isn't that the boring stuff that our grandparents used to do all the time?
It's absolutely boring, and to be honest with you, essential services are the only industry I'd be comfortable doing that sort of strategy in. They tend to be very resilient in bad times—utilities have proven that over the past ten years, which have included several crisis moments.
Utilities have, over time, had an unparalleled ability to recover from any disaster, simply by paring back riskier stuff, de-leveraging, and so forth—getting back to their core businesses. I think the surest trend that you have is greater demand for essential services, be it electricity, or water, or communications.
Ever since the advent of urbanization in America, these things have been in increasing demand; utilities are the beneficiaries.
So, these are all dividend-reinvestment plans where people use dividends to reinvest, and then they also buy the stock at, like, $50 or $100 a month, or something like that?
Well, what I've done personally is own about a dozen of these things, and just basically buy and put them away, and just have the dividends continue to roll over.
I don't think you should buy and forget, now—I want to make sure that's a very strong distinction. You have to keep up with what's going on with the underlying companies.
If they are weakening internally, you want to get out of them—and it can be a little bit more complicated to get out of a direct-purchase plan than it is to just pick up the phone and call your broker and get out. Not appreciably so, but you definitely want to keep your eye on them.
Of these plans that I bought, almost all of them have done very well. I have had a couple though, that have done quite poorly, so if I'd sold them I would have saved myself some money.
Can you name one of them that might be interesting for people to look at right now?
Well, for right now, I think Dominion Resources (NYSE: D) is certainly an interesting one, because they've made a practice of attracting as many Virginia shareholders as they can.
They have a plan actually: those who live in Virginia can actually buy stock directly from the company in $50 increments, and basically accumulate a collection of stock. That's how I got involved with the company.
And, you know, it's a growing company. It's a well-run company. It can be as exciting as watching paint dry, as they build their asset bases, but it's a very consistent, easy to understand story.
Capital spending plus favorable regulation equals higher cash flow, higher dividends, and higher share price—and that's the formula they've followed for the last ten years.
Subscribe to Utility Forecaster here…
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|Just a self-reminder... Could be caused by WCF security configurations. Either set Binding→Security→Mode→None or if Mode is Transport - then add Windows credentials of user running the service in security config section.
Monday, August 24, 2009
No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it...
Posted by Alex Pinsker at Monday, August 24, 2009
Labels: WCF
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Make checks out to Tidewater Wooden Boat Workshop. Mail to the following address:
Tidewater Wooden Boat Workshop
1153 Birks Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Please include your name and an address so we can send you a tax deduction receipt.
TWBW depends upon the generosity of our supporters to enable us to deliver the
meaningful programs that make a difference in the lives of Hampton Roads youth.
We gratefully accept monetary donations to help us fund our programs, but we will
gladly take "donations in kind" of tools, boatbuilding materials, office supplies, and nautical books and magazines. TWBW is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible.
TWBW accepts credit card donations via PayPal.
Make a Donation
If you have new or used tools, lumber, marine plywood, saw horses, painting supplies, boat hardware, office supplies, educational materials, or nautical / woodworking books and magazines that you would like to donate to TWBW, please send us list of the items you have to donate:
Life Skills Through Boatbuilding


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by Tony Nevin, BSc (Hons) Ost, DO Zoo Ost Ltd
One of the best kept secrets within the osteopathic profession is the fact that we have a very well established Masters programme in Animal Osteopathy. Despite it being around for 12 years, and steadily producing excellent graduates, it is still the Cinderella of courses.
A myth persists that it isn't really an osteopathic course. I use the word "myth" carefully, but it is a myth all the same. I can only think that some of my profession is mislead by the fact that we run the course alongside the McTimoney Animal Masters one. We also send our students into the very same anatomy, neurology, physiology, and bio-mechanics lectures. Now I'm pretty sure all of these subjects are the same whether you're an osteopath, chiropractor, physiotherapist, or vet. All osteopathic content is taught by the BPP University approved clinicians, of which I am the Clinical Director, with the day-to-day running of the course administered by the McTimoney College staff. As Clinical Director that's how I know the course really does exist! My team teaches all practical lectures, and covers all practical examinations. All of my faculty are GOsC registered and all have a minimum of 12 years experience treating animals, with most around 30 years. They all carry the necessary insurances, and attend regular CPD updates.
The course syllabus
The course is currently a two year part time one. Students are advised to be able to set aside roughly the equivalent of a day's study/practical a week over this period. Theory based lecturing is undertaken within the beautiful surroundings of Warwickshire College's Moreton Morrell campus, which is able to provide superb facilities for both academic and practical purposes.
During the first year students are taught anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, neurology, bio-dynamics and bio-mechanics, osteopathic observation, and osteopathic palpation. During this period they also put together their dissertation proposal for university approval. In the second year they build upon their practical skills, perform any research needed for their dissertation, and create the finished article, attend specific tutor clinics, complete various written assignments, before sitting their final exams in theory and practical, the latter organized by the osteopathic team.
Not only does combining aspects of this course generate economies of scale, it also creates a much more open inter professional medium for both professions, and has led to the breaking down of many of the old fashioned barriers that used to exist between allied professions.
For this reason I think this model, as a teaching method alone deserves more notice, and recognition, as it has done a lot to propel all animal based manual therapies forward in the eyes of the veterinary profession, as well as increasing inter-professional communication and clinical assistance.
There is a lot of political maneuvering at the moment, and it would be so sad to recreate the barriers and perceived class system that existed back in the early 1990s.
What I love, from a teaching perspective, is the interaction both tutors and students have with the McTimoney side. This spills out into clinical life, with many lifelong friends made. It's great to know that if any of us get stuck with a client that there are other colleagues who we know, and respect, that can be called upon. With the best will and intentions in the world, none of us have all the answers, and none of us can "fix" everything. Even down to personality clashes with the occasional animal, it pays to have an open book of fellow practitioners to refer to.
With this parallel approach to the McTimoney and Osteopathic Masters programme we have found a sustained continuation through to CPD days that tutors run, and it is lovely to follow graduates through their careers in animal manipulation.
From the osteopathic student's perspective they get a much more individually tailored approach to their own teaching needs, with many practical sessions being on a one to one basis. This high tutor to student ratio has meant that the course consistently turns out graduates of a high calibre.
The focus of the course is on treatment of the horse and dog, however there are lectures covering livestock, and some of the tutors introduce their students to small furries and exotics on the clinical tutor days. During the second year, students get to observe and treat genuine clinical cases with their assigned tutors, as well as being expected to undertake observational and palpatory practice on their own.
How can you enroll on the MSc Animal Osteopathy?
If you want to find out more about the course you can download the PDF covering the syllabus and entry requirements from the McTimoney website at www.mctimoney-college.ac.uk, and then attend an open day at the college to discover more, and get to ask any questions you might have. I am always happy to be contacted via e-mail or text to answer any osteopathic specific aspects, as well as mentally walk you through the two year course. We can also put you in touch with past graduates, who can give their opinion of the course as well, and offer insights from a student's perspective.
New intake on the course is every January, rather than following the normal undergraduate year. If you are serious about a career in animal osteopathy this is the only established course, with a solid history of turning out world class graduates in the UK. We would love to welcome any osteopath on board, wishing to gain a MSc in Animal Osteopathy. I say osteopath, because at the moment we are only able to take graduate osteopaths, this being a postgraduate qualification.
Tony Nevin, BSc (Hons) Ost, DO is Clinical Director on the MSc Animal Osteopathy programme, run through the McTimoney College of Chiropractic, Oxon. He also lectures nationally and internationally; runs unique wildlife workshops; and is a prolific writer, presenter, and broadcaster. His radio show "The Missing Link" on Corinium Radio is the only one of it's kind and is rapidly gaining a loyal listenership. For more than 6 years he chaired The Society of Osteopaths in Animal Practice (SOAP), which recently changed its name to the Association of Animal Osteopaths (AAO).
For more information contact Tony at +44 7831 759339


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As I have been scanning through the Celebrate the Boy Flickr Group, a few pieces have really stood out to me. Since I am trying to learn how to sew for boys, I have tried learn from them by examining each one to see what details did they use that made their piece so special? Here are three of my favorites:
I have never done reverse applique before, sewn a cargo pants style pocket, nor have I ever sewn knee patches. I am going to add all three of these techniques to my learn how to do list. Luckily, the blogging world is so great, and there are tons of people out there willing to share their sewing knowledge with the rest of us.
Want to add to your sewing knowledge? Here is a round-up of 10 tutorials that teach great details to add to boy sewing projects.Welt Pockets Tutorial by Poppy Kettle
Button Hole Tutorial by Purlbee
Using a double needle by Make It and Love It
Stamping your Own Pattern by No Big Dill
The Basic Snap by No Big Dill
Embroidery Basics by Wild Olive
Henley T-Shirt Placket by Melly Sews


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Tuesday, January 16, 2018
St. John the Baptist Parish – The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the region until 12:00 am Wednesday due to the chance of freezing precipitation to impact the area this evening. Accumulations of sleet and snow under an inch are possible. Although all precipitation is expected to end by midnight tonight, very cold temperatures well below freezing means any moisture from precipitation will turn to ice, especially on bridges and overpasses.
After the threat of precipitation ends, very cold air will result in a hard freeze for most of the area, and brisk north winds will cause wind chill values to drop into the single digits to around 10 degrees by late tonight into Wednesday morning. A Wind Chill Advisory and Hard Freeze Warning are in effect tonight into Wednesday morning, and another hard freeze is expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, a Winter Weather Advisory is issued when snow and/or ice is forecast to develop in the affected areas, but the accumulations are expected to be light. Any snow or ice would make driving and walking difficult on untreated roadways and sidewalks. When temperatures are below freezing, motorists need to be especially careful on bridges and overpasses where slippery spots can easily develop.
St. John officials are making preparations for possible winter weather and will remain in contact with the National Weather Service for changes and updates. Please take necessary precautions at home and work and dial 911 to report any issues.


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Fall is coming our way and we have a fall style report just for you! This season everything is vintage inspired! These styles are giving us positive vibrations by calling on the 1970s fashion era. The 70s fashion was influenced by the hippie movement and was really a free-for-all. These different styles started emerging, because it was about freedom of expression. Iconically, the styles hippie, punk, and bohemian chic paved their way on the streets and into the fashion scene.
We are having major 1970s fashion fever this fall, check out our site for your all your vintage inspired styles like: bell bottoms, velvet, retro stripes, faux fur, and statement sleeves.
By: BR


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Hyundai Offers The Golf Trip Of A Lifetime
It's every golfer's dream to play in a PGA TOUR Pro-Am. With Hyundai's Ultimate Pro-Am Experience sweepstakes, Hyundai is offering one lucky golfer just that... Read more
African American Museum of Iowa exhibit celebrates black inventors
A laser to treat cataracts. One of the first gas masks. Refrigerated trucks that make it possible to transport fresh food over great distance.... Read more
MGM Resorts International: Proving the Power of Diversity in the Entertainment Capital
As the self-proclaimed "Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas is a travel destination to tens of millions of people a... Read more
After 15 years of planning and construction, the Tubman Museum opened on May 16th to the public. Founded in 1981, Macon, Georgia's Tubman Museum is the largest museum in... Read more
Florida's summer heat can be a sweet treat
The cooling mister stands are parked on every café patio. Flip-flops and bathing suit cover-ups are suddenly acceptable attire for lunch. Pina colada-scented sunscreen becomes... Read more


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Let's take a look at girly medium-length hairstyles that will drive you crazy my dear fashion girls. Sometimes you don't have much time to get prepared, that's why I'd like to share with you my dear fashionistas these medium hairstyle images which will inspire you.
Medium-length hairstyles 2011-2012 are always a favorite for the women.
Here you will find easy hairstyles that are in trend now: the shag cut, shoulder length flip and long layers with side-swept bangs.
So, let's start from the shag cut which is layered and feathered above the shoulders. It's great to wear during windy time.
The shoulder length flip is really girly look which is easy to care and it works great for those who have natural curls. The bangs are cut super long and they can fall down and frame the face. This style will suit those who want to be in the center of everyone's attention. Love that appearance.
Long Layers With Side-Swept Bangs is a must have trend this year for teenage girls as it has long layers and comes with extended hair, where the sides are divided into shorter and longer layers. Love the way when hair partly covers the eyes of the girl that gives a touch of mystery.
Medium-length hairstyles are very suitable to be applied in women who have a kind of oval face, heart and diamond. These hairstyles are easy to organize because it is very simple so that not too long in the mirror for a hair dryer.


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|Mt. Audubon
Elevation: 13,221 feet
Mileage: 8.0 miles
Vertical Gain: 2,750 feet
Route: East Slopes
October 10th, 2004
Mt. Audubon is located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area of Colorado's Indian Peaks. Located along the Continental Divide, Mt. Audubon offers a relatively easy hike and great views of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks. With the high country receiving snow lately, Amy and I decided to stay close to Boulder and thought Mt. Audubon would be a good trip to the high country. We left Boulder and were delayed in Boulder Canyon by a climbing accident near Boulder Creek Falls, which unfortunately was fatal for one climber. After about a 30 minute delay in the canyon, we made it to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area around 2 p.m. It was a little late in the day to begin a hike, but we move fairly quickly and there isn't much thunderstorm danger this late in the year.
|Back to Colorado 13ers


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Art thou pale for weariness
Of climbing heaven and gazing on the earth,
Wandering companionless
Among the stars that have a different birth,
And ever changing, like a Joyless eye
That finds no object worth its constancy?
(Percy Bysshe Shelley)
A friend and I went to see "No Strings Attached" a few days ago (I'd suggest waiting for the DVD) and saw the most beautiful moon. Good thing I almost always have my camera on me (the above photo is not edited in any way....just nature's natural beauty).


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Book: Faith, Magic and Corruption – 'This Present Darkness: a history of Nigerian organised crime'
This Present Darkness: a history of Nigerian organised crime' by Stephen Ellis, Hurst books.
On a visit to see a Christian charity's humanitarian project in Nigeria in 2016, your reviewer was impressed that her jeep was frequently stopped by soldiers and police. Then the pastor at the wheel explained why there were barricades every twenty miles or so. These agents of the state were not keeping an eye out for Boko Haram terrorists or murderous Fulani tribesmen: they were trying to extort money. Similarly, at Abuja airport, the official who pulled me to one side, asking me to clarify my reasons for coming to Nigeria was not fulfilling his job description: he was hoping I would bribe him to get through passport control without delay.
If you have ever wondered why Nigeria produces so many scammers, fraudsters and confidence tricksters, you will find this book illuminating. If you grieve over the astonishing corruption penetrating every level of Nigerian politics, then Stephen Ellis's clearly written study is invaluable. And if you are a person of faith, this is a fascinating account of how superstition is manipulated by "oracles" who profit from the Nigerian trade in sex slaves.
Although some African intellectuals try to blame colonialism for every contemporary problem, there is a tradition of bribery in Nigeria going back centuries. Gifts were given to village rulers in the hopes of establishing mutually beneficial relationships. This system was disrupted in 1914 when the British created an artificial country from hundreds of different tribes, and then divided it into three administrative regions under what was called Indirect Rule. The move transferred immense power to the local Nigerian officials running the three regions. They demanded and received bribes for every service or favour, and their malign influence trickled down to the most lowly school teacher or traffic cop.
Now, the three regions have become 36 states, each offering endless opportunities for graft. At every election cycle, candidates promise they will fight corruption. Yet, many well-intentioned and courageous officials who try to investigate the powerful network of fraudsters finds themselves sidelined or sacked. One such hero, Nuhu Ribadu, the director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, estimated that between independence in 1960 and 2006, $380 billion had been stolen or wasted. He launched investigations into 31 of the 36 state governors. Predictably, foreign companies seeking contracts have been more than willing to offer bribes: and British banks and real estate agents have willingly accepted dirty money stolen from the state.
This pervasive rot is made worse because the administrative systems created by the British have never had local legitimacy. Moreover, deeply held local spiritual beliefs compound the problem: in the non-Muslim areas, people think wealth is connected to mystic powers. Leading politicians and aspiring businesspeople go to the scores of shrines around the country, wearing good luck amulets, and taking oaths before well-remunerated oracles.
Families send their young girls off to be sex slaves in Italy, forcing them to undergo a scarring and torture ritual that convinces the children they will be killed if they resist what is being done to them. The current trade in sex slaves comes directly from Nigeria's long history of pre-colonial slavery, Ellis contends, in which wars were fought specifically to take another tribes' members as slaves. Once on the streets of Italy, it is estimated that the slaves must have sex 5,000 times to pay back the criminal network that owns them. Few girls last more than five years before disease and exhaustion takes its toll.
Even the scammers who churn out '419′ emails offering fortunes in exchange for advance fees are credulous in their own way, buying amulets and potions for good luck. Readers of Independent Catholic News might wonder how anyone receiving one of their ungrammatical emails might be conned, but thousands of greedy Westerners are enticed each year, handing over millions of dollars, pounds and euros.
In 2002, Dutch officials conducted a brief experiment at Schipol airport, searching each Nigerian arriving. They found that 63 out of 83 were drug mules. A Nigerian apprehended for bringing drugs into Bangkok told the police, "You can't arrest me because you can't see me. I'm invisible." Such is the power of magic, even among the educated elite, argues Ellis. Many evangelical churches exploit this assumption that belief will lead to wealth through their prosperity ministries. Yet, an Anglican priest living in the Middle Belt, an area plagued by Islamist terrorists, told your reviewer, "There isn't much interest in the Pentecostalists in Jos. People here are more concerned with staying alive, rather than becoming wealthy."


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2018 Spring Election Results
The CCSC Spring 2018 elections were held May 1 to May 31
Karina Assiter has been elected Vice-President/President-Elect. Her term will run from August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2020, after which she will serve as President for the following two years.
Regional Representatives up for election this year included the Northwest, South Central and Southeast regions. Members from each of these regions voted for their representative via a separate ballot. The result of the election are as follows:
- Northwest Representative: Brent Wilson
- South Central Representative: Tina Johnson
- Southeast Representative: Kevin Treu
The term for these representatives will run from August 1, 2018, until July 31, 2021.
2018 Distinguished Service Award
The CCSC presented the 2018 CCSC Distinguished Service Award to Myungsook Klassen during the CCSC General Business meeting held on February 23, 2018. Professor Myungsook Klassen was the founding regional chair for the CCSC:Southwestern Region. Sadly, this honor is awarded posthumously. Dr. Klassen passed away due to gallbladder cancer in May 2015. (Read more…)
A list of previous awardees and the nomination procedures for this award may be found here.