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“Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer” seems to be a project of opportunities, team work, and good will. Author Megan McDonald was allowed to take part in making her books come to life and a young actress was given her big break while the film’s producer, Sarah Siegel-Magness, made sure to keep it all environmentally sound.
Sarah, why was it important for you to keep the set eco-friendly?
On past productions I’d seen so much waste and it’s not the way I personally run my household. It was really important for me to extend my own personal values to what we do in business. It also gave us all a shared sense of responsibility to the planet and it was really fun because we had competitions on set who was the most green.
Megan, it’s unusual to for an author to remain involved in a movie project about their work. How involved did you remain throughout the production?
[Sarah] said to me right from that very first meeting, “you’re the creator and I really want you to be part of this because you’re Judy Moody’s mother. You’re the person who has imagined her and knows the characters the most. Why wouldn’t I want you to be involved?” For me that was a gift, because it’s very unusual for the writer to be so involved.
Megan, what was your impression of the finished product after seeing your characters come to life on screen?
It’s kind of surreal because you can’t really imagine it. And, of course, never having done a film before, I’d go on set and it’s all shot out of order and I’m whispering to Sarah, “are you sure they know what they’re doing?” In other words, I knew so little about that process, it was such an education. What ended up for me to be one of the most positive aspects was, because it is a collaboration–everybody becomes as inside your characters as you are.
Megan, any obstacles in adapting the books into a screenplay and is this your first screenplay?
This is my first screenplay. It was a challenge. I was a little bit scared at the beginning. Sarah had full confidence in me all along. She was the cheerleader egging me on. To me, the bottom line is we want to tell a great story whether it’s film or books. Even in the writing of the screenplay I wanted it to read like a story, sound like a story, not be really tedious to read. I collaborated with a longtime friend who is a screenwriter, so that helped me quite a bit with the form. If I had written it myself it would probably be all dialogue.
What made you decide to write an original story for the film and not use a scenario from the books?
Sarah: We decided because the stories are rather short stories that it would make more sense to bring in elements of all the books and create a brand new stories. It also gives the core readers another reason to go to the movies.
Sarah, what made you want to make these movies?
It was required reading for my daughter in 2 nd grade. The amazing thing about it was that it was the only book series I enjoyed reading with my daughter. And I knew it would probably translate very well on the big screen because it could entertain both the parents and kids at the same time because that’s how her books are. They make you laugh as a parent.
Megan, can you explain the character of Aunt Opal?
Megan: Aunt Opal is not in the books. She was a new character we invented just for the film. I’m an aunt to 35 kids, so aunts are very important to me. The inspiration for her kind of came from my sister who came to visit me and brought the most enormous suitcase you can imagine. It was two shirts and all the rest art supplies. She just imagined we were going to make art all week. That was kind of the initial kernel of Aunt Opal.
Sarah: She should have her own series. Aunt Opal is an awesome character.
Sarah, tell me about your production company Smokewood and its philosophy.
Our last movie was “Precious” and then we have “Judy Moody” and then we have another independent dramedy coming out. We don’t discriminate based on budget or genre. We just really want to make films that make an impact on the planet.
Sarah, how did the casting go for Judy?
We couldn’t find [an actress] and I called [Megan] one day and I was like, “do you have any ideas?” And she said, “well, there was this girl who was cast as Eloise (Jordana Beatty), in a movie that never happened. You gotta find out what happened to her.” So, we made some calls to our agents and she was in Australia and really hadn’t been doing'”little commercials, that’s it. We called her up'”Skype. Auditioned her. Put her together with the director and she had that glimmer in her eye. So, first time we met her was right on set.
Megan McDonald and Sarah Siegel-Magness developed a great partnership and friendship during the making of “Judy Moody.” It is another positive outcome to a film whose main purpose is to spread upbeat, family friendly fun.


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A fantastic positive and negative specimen collected in Utah. A rare member of the Priapulids, a type of uniformly shaped, non-segmented worm.
Priapulida (priapulid worms or penis worms) is a phylum of marine worms. The name of the phylum relates to the Greek god of fertility, because their general shape and their extensible spiny introvert (eversible proboscis) may recall the shape of a phallic. They live in the mud (which they eat) and in comparatively shallow waters up to 300 ft. deep. Some species show a remarkable tolerance for hydrogen sulfide and anoxia. They are cylindrical worm-like animals with a median anterior mouth quite devoid of any armature or tentacles. The body is divided into a main trunk or abdomen and a somewhat swollen proboscis region ornamented with longitudinal ridges. The body is ringed and often has circles of spines, which are continued into the slightly protrusible pharynx. Some species may also have a tail or a pair of caudal appendages. The body has a chitinous cuticle that is moulted as the animal grows.

domain: biology


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State Treasurer, outside accountant cited same discrepancies; City: ‘We fixed it’
By Roger McCredie-Documents obtained by the Tribune show that at least twice within the past four years, the state treasurer’s office cited “material weakness” in the way the city reported its financial activity. On one such occasion the treasurer’s office also reprimanded the city for filing its financial statements three months after deadline, saying, in effect, “Don’t let it happen again.”
Records show the city’s own CPA firm, in two consecutive year-end audit reports – 2010 and 2011 – likewise identified “material weakness” in submitted reports and warned the city to take corrective action.
On January 25, 2011, Sharon Edmundson, Director of the state treasurer’s Fiscal Management Section, wrote to Mayor Terry Bellamy that “corrective action regarding the issues discussed [in the letter] may improve [the city’s] financial condition.”
Edmundson began by stating that Asheville’s financial statements “were not received in our office until January 4, 2011, well after the due date of October 31, 2010. A report received by the Board [i.e. city council] six months after [the June 30 fiscal] year-end identifies financial and operational problems after it is too late for the Board to take effective action.
“As stewards of the public’s resources,” the letter continued, “the governing body is responsible for assuring that audited financial statements are available to the public in a timely manner … we urge [council] to determine the cause of the delay, and take appropriate action to ensure that the audited financial statements for the current year are completed and submitted by October 31, 2011.
“We noticed various weaknesses concerning your City’s internal control system that were communicated to you by the auditor,” Edmundson wrote. “We are especially concerned that the auditor reported as a material weakness that bank reconciliations were not performed timely …”
A few weeks earlier, on December 28, 2010, Dixon Hughes PLLC, the city’s outside CPA firm, after having audited the city’s books, submitted reports to the city summarizing its findings on internal financial control and on federal and state compliance. The financial control report identified as a material weakness the fact that “The City was unable to reconcile its main operating bank account on a timely basis,” adding that this could allow “material misstatements, caused by error or fraud, [to] go undetected and not corrected in a reasonable time period.” This condition, the report said, was likely caused by “problems in the City’s processes for recording cash receipts [which} were complicated by staff turnover, the conversion of the City’s accounting system and multiple, decentralized cash receipting and depositing locations.”
Also cited in the CPA’s internal control section was confusion stemming from the city’s manner of reporting long-term assets, such as governmental funds, and the revenue generated by them. This problem, the report said, was caused by “insufficient understanding, supervision and review of the activity recorded in the fund [s].”
The documents show that Lauren Bradley, the city’s then Director of Finance and Management, replied to the auditors that Asheville’s treasury services had instituted “new control and reconciliation processes in October and November 2010” and said other corrective measures, including on-site training, would begin in March of 2011.
In a reply to the state treasurer’s letter the following month, Mayor Terry Bellamy echoed Bradley’s promises and cited employee turnover in the finance department, changes to the city’s accounting system methods and redeign of “the city’s entire financial account structure” as reasons why the city had not met the October 31 deadline for filing its state report.
But the following year, the cycle began again.
Records indicate the city did indeed file its report for the 2011 fiscal year on time. But once again Dixon Hughes, in its yearly audit wrap-up, called attention to a material weakness in the city’s financial reporting. Dixon-Hughes acknowledged that the city had, albeit belatedly, corrected the defects called to its attention the previous year – it referred to this correction as a “prior period adjustment” – but reported the city had overstated its “Governmental activities” assets by nearly $5.2 million and its assets from “business-type” assets by more than $2 million.
The city’s response, apparently also authored by Bradley, stated that “Capital asset identification reviews now occur periodically throughout the fiscal year.” Bradley also said the city had determined it had been erroneously calculating its contributions to its employee benefits plan, but had since corrected that methodology as well.
The 2012 CPA audit gave the city’s reporting methods a clean bill of health and stated, “In our opinion the City complied, in all material respects, with the compliance requirements … for the year ended June 30, 2012.” Documents for 2013 are not yet available. On the face of it, the city’s slippage in reporting its finances for 2010 and 2011 would appear to be a closed book. A source close to city government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the auditing and reporting process, which is a matter of public record, is something that bears scrutinizing every year. “We’re talking about errors that happened over two years ago, yes,” the source said, “but the way the errors happened and the areas in which they happened are disturbing. This is the sort of thing that needs staying ahead of the curve and constant attention. Plus, the city has had further turnover in the financial department.”
In January of 2013 Lauren Bradley’s title was changed to Executive Director of Finance and Strategic Planning. In June, she unexpectedly resigned that position, with its salary of $101,745, and accepted a position as Chief Financial Officer of the same law firm that employs Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer, who currently serves as chairman of city council’s finance committee. Manheimer, now a candidate for mayor, declined to comment last week on the 2010 and 2011 discrepancies.
Next week: What documents reveal about the city’s overall financial health.

domain: finance


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Increased anxiety, stress, and depression in pregnant women can alter key features of the foetal brain, subsequently causing a decline in cognitive development in offspring at 18 months, a new study has found. The findings of the research, conducted by Washington-based Children’s National Hospital, were published in the JAMA Network journal.
For their study, the researchers followed 97 pregnant women and their babies and found the changes also increased internalisation and dysregulation behaviour. The findings suggest that persistent psychological distress after the baby’s birth could influence infant self-regulation and parent-child interaction.
This is the first such study that sheds light on a link between the long-term cognitive development consequences for foetuses exposed to high toxic stress and altered in-utero foetal brain development. The researchers observed changes in the foetus’ sulcal depth and left hippocampal volume, which could explain the neurodevelopment issues after birth.
These children, once they grow into toddlers, may experience persistent social-emotional problems and have trouble establishing positive relationships with everyone, including their mothers.
“Identifying early brain developmental biomarkers may help improve the identification of infants at risk for later neurodevelopmental impairment who might benefit from early targeted interventions,” said Catherine Limperopoulos, senior author of the study and director of the Developing Brain Institute at Children’s National.
About one in four pregnant women, regardless of their socioeconomic status, suffers from stress-related symptoms, the most common pregnancy complication. The relationship among prenatal maternal psychological distress, altered foetal brain development, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, however, remain unknown.
Studying in utero foetal brain development is a challenge due to foetal and maternal movements, signal-to-noise ratio issues, imaging technology, and changes in brain growth.
The researchers used validated self-reported questionnaires to quantify prenatal maternal stress, anxiety and depression. All pregnant participants of the study were healthy, most had some education, and were employed.
The researchers measured foetal brain volumes and cortical folding from three-dimensional reconstructed images from MRI scans. They quantified foetal brain creatine and choline using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The neurodevelopment of the 18-month-old child was measured using validated scales and assessments.
The research builds upon previous studies by the Developing Brain Institute led by Dr Limperopoulos. The previous study discovered that anxiety in pregnant women appeared to affect their baby’s brain development.

domain: medical


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The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution proclaims the inalienable right of every American to peaceably assemble in religious worship. For centuries, courts have used the First Amendment to establish a history of unassailable legal precedents protecting this sacred right to religious freedom. But 2020 has been full of unprecedented surprises. One of them is the unlawful actions of liberals in government to restrict, curtail, and penalize religious liberty.
On August 28, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works issued a notice to Grace Community Church informing Pastor John MacArthur that his church’s lease would be terminated, effective October 1. This extra-judicial attack on religious freedom comes amid an ongoing legal battle between Grace Community Church and Los Angeles county officials over the county’s restrictive social distancing regulations. Pastor John MacArthur even faces the threat of arrest, should any in-person services continue.
The message these unconstitutional actions send is clear: Obey the Democrats in power, no matter what, or get out. That Grace Community Church has held its lease for 45 years and never broken any actual law is irrelevant to Democrats. Liberal politics in 2020 take precedence over legal right and constitutional freedoms.
But Grace Community Church is hardly an isolated incident. Across the country, Christian churches are under fire for defending their freedom to worship. Just this month, North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara was fined $10,000 for holding morning and evening services, and Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks was held to be in contempt of court for celebrating the Lord. In Florida, Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne of Riverside Church in Tampa Bay was arrested and thrown in jail for hosting a Sunday service.
The legal pretense used to justify these aggressive assaults on religious liberty is always the same: COVID-19 is just too dangerous to allow for social gatherings. But the freedoms that Dems take away from churches with one hand, they give to non-religious gatherings with another. In a glaring display of partisan political hypocrisy, Democrat governors and leaders unevenly and unequally enforce social distancing regulations wherever it benefits them to do so.
Click here to read more.
SOURCE: Christian Post, Timothy Head

domain: law


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How long have you been in the mortgage business and what inspired you to get into it?
I have been in the mortgage business for over 10 years. After selling my software business 11 years ago, I was looking for something new and challenging. In mortgage banking I've found a rewarding career where I create strategies that help my clients achieve their short and long term financial and real estate objectives.
Who is your typical customer and what questions do they typically have?
For me there is no typical customer. I work with first time home buyers to seasoned real estate investors. From low to moderate income borrowers to high net worth individuals. The questions they have are as diverse as their backgrounds. My approach is to educate, advise and make sure every borrower knows what to expect throughout the entire process.
What specific steps do you use to help your customers find the best home loan for them?
It's all about communication. Asking the right questions and really listening to the answers is key. It's important to get a sense of where my clients are in their career as well as what their career trajectory might look like. Where will they be financially and/or geographically in 5, 10, or 20 years.
What are the pros and cons of a fixed rate mortgage versus an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM)?
A fixed rate allows a consumer to manage their finances both short and long term based on the current fixed principle and interest payment. The ARM has a future payment that could be higher (or lower) than what the initial start payment is. There is a benefit to an ARM as after the first adjustment period, a borrower could end up with a lower payment depending on how much principle they have been able to pay down along with what the current index is that will determine their interest rate for the following 12 months. ARM loans can be as short as 3 years and as long as 10 years. Interest rates on ARMs are going to be lower than they are on 30 year fixed rates.
What part of the home loan process do customers find most difficult and how do you help them through it?
Through the years I've found that borrowers have the most frustration with sourcing large non payroll deposits. I review all client bank statements prior to sending the file to my underwriter. If I see a large deposit I work closely with the client to obtain the needed documentation. In many cases the borrower has multiple accounts and there's a good chance we may not even need that particular account. I always ask for the bank accounts with the least amount of activity.
What do you enjoy doing most in your spare time when you are not helping people with their home loans?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter. I'm an avid road cyclist and like to get out on the road as often as my work allows. My other lifelong hobby and passion is playing jazz guitar.


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A. R. Ammons Quote
“Each poem in becoming generates the laws by which it is generated: extensions of the laws to other poems never completely take.”
―A. R. Ammons
Set in motion: essays, interviews, and dialogues (1996 edition), Univ of Michigan Pr
Picture Source: Wikimedia CommonsA. R. Ammons
Bio: Archie Randolph Ammons was an American poet who won the annual National Book Award for Poetry in 1973 and 1993. He wrote about humanity's relationship to nature in alternately comic and solemn tones.

domain: artistic


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Late Goal Propels Field Hockey to 2-1 Win Over UMass-Dartmouth Engineers Fall to Eastern Conn., 3-1, at Babson Soccer Classic Nazareth Shuts Out MIT, 3-0, in Women’s Soccer Home Opener
Late Goal Propels Field Hockey to 2-1 Win Over UMass-Dartmouth
Anna H. Teruya ’12’s blast from the top of the circle found the back of the net with just 7:41 remaining to break a one-all tie and lead MIT to a thrilling victory over UMass-Dartmouth in non-conference field hockey action Saturday afternoon at Jack Barry Field. With the win, the Engineers improve to 3-0, the program’s best start since 1997. The Corsairs fall to 0-1 on the year.
UMass struck first, as Becca Festinger fed Stephanie Kinchla just 3:30 into the game to give the visitors the early advantage. The Corsairs would also threaten midway through the period, forcing MIT goalkeeper Keri A. Dixon ’12 to make a pair of saves in a span of 30 seconds.
The Cardinal and Grey had little success generating offense for most of the period, managing just one shot in the game’s first 25 minutes. That quickly changed as freshman Kimberly A. Barker ‘13 was able to break through with the equalizer with 9:19 to go in the half, sending the teams to the locker room knotted at one.
After being outshot, 5-2, in the first half, the momentum shifted to the Engineers’ side in the second. They had a number of chances at the go-ahead goal, the best of which came with 14:45 to go. Molly E. McShane ’13 had her shot saved by Seana Golden and a tip by Katie Kauffman ’12 deflected just wide of the net. The teams appeared to be headed to overtime until Tech earned a penalty corner chance with 8:05 showing on the clock. Kameron Klauber entered the ball to Teruya, who fired the ball past Golden for the game-winner.
Tech held a 10-8 advantage in shots for the game. Dixon earned her third straight win in net, making two saves, while Golden had four saves in the losing effort.
MIT continues its homestand Tuesday, September 8, hosting Lasell at 4:00 p.m. at Jack Barry Field.
Engineers Fall to Eastern Conn., 3-1, at Babson Soccer Classic
Peter Bojo ’11 ended Eastern Connecticut State University’s hopes for a shutout when he converted a feed from Christopher D. Hammond G with 18 seconds left to play in a 3-1 loss on Saturday. The Engineers (2-1) will finish their appearance in the Third Annual Babson College Soccer Classic by taking on Wentworth Institute of Technology on Sunday.
After a scoreless first half, the Warriors were awarded a penalty shot in the 50th minute. Max Fantl took a hard shot to the upper left corner to give Eastern Connecticut the 1-0 lead. Chris Bourdeau kept the momentum going for the Warriors by scoring an unassisted goal 10 minutes later. Fantl’s second marker of the game came in the 82nd minute after receiving a long pass from Cory Tobler.
Eastern Connecticut sophomore Carl Appel played 85 minutes for the Warriors making seven saves as Tyler Edwardson closed out the game. Dylan S. Rankin ’12 collected nine saves for the Engineers.
Nazareth Shuts Out MIT, 3-0, in Women’s Soccer Home Opener
Nazareth College’s trio of goals was too much for MIT as the Golden Flyers defeated the Engineers, 3-0, in the women’s soccer home-opener on Roberts Field.
Nazareth came out fast in the first half, scoring its first goal in the eighth minute. Forward Erica Conte crossed a pass in front of the goal which found freshman Chelsea Kuss, who was able to put it past goalie Meghan S. Wright ’13 for her first career goal.
Less than a minute later, MIT captain Lauren R. Hernley ’11 tried to respond with a well-placed boot from 25-yards out, but Nazareth keeper Hillary Simon was there to make a diving save and deny the Engineers an equalizing goal.
While MIT was able to keep control of the ball for most of the game, Nazareth’s speed created several breakaway opportunities. Kuss’ second scoring opportunity came halfway through the first when she found herself in a one-on-one situation with MIT defender Monique T. Squiers ’11. Squiers, who managed to neutralize the Nazareth charge, was hurt on the play and would not return to the game.
In the 28th minute, Nazareth’s Meghan Finn initialized an attack with a shot straight at Wright in goal. The freshman keeper was unable to control the ball, and it deflected straight to the feet of Rachel Piemonte, who put it away for Nazareth’s second goal.
The Golden Flyers extended their lead early in the second half when Meghan Rivera flipped a pass to Conte, who delivered Nazareth’s third goal, this time over MIT junior Katy Olesnavage ’11.
The remainder of the game was a defensive battle and, aside from a series of consecutive corner kicks, MIT’s offense had little chance to respond. Engineers Emily Kuo ’13 and Hernley were able to create shooting opportunities, but Nazareth’s wall of defense was too much to overcome.
The Engineers’ next match is at home on Wednesday, September 9, against the Lancers from Worcester State College.

domain: sports


Redefinition is one of those CDs where a group of students, here from the Arts West School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Eagle, Idaho, get to show off their musical talents. In this case the kids are all vocalists who look to be in their teens and sound very polished and professional. You wouldn't expect teenagers to grasp the nuances and meaning of "My Funny Valentine" and "You Don't Know What Love Is" so don't expect heavy interpretations here. This is simply a group of earnest young voices impressing through sheer sound and power. Camille Avery is eye-opening on "My Man's Gone Now" and Cari Stevens is effective on a dead slow version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." Fara Sumbureru does a lively Jazz-Funk version of Prince's "Nothing Compares To You" while Karmen Wolf sings two songs that are more rock than Jazz, "Much Further To Go" and "Both Sides Now" in a soft, conversational style. The one male on the disc, Harris Wolf, does the old spiritual "City Called Heaven" in a solemn, rising baritone and Mary Thompson surprises at the ends with a rendition of Coldplay's "Sparks" that is more quietly mature and sensual than anything else on the CD.
The arrangements of pianist Justin Nielsen are interesting but never complex or wild in a way that would overwhelm the young singers. The individual playing by Nielson, Thomas Marriott, and John McLean stands out as well. It all makes a nice showcase for a group of talented students, some of whom will hopefully go on to serious musical careers.


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A panel of experts has been convened to come up with ways for human resources (HR) professionals to use more technology as they help workers and businesses transform.
The HR Industry Transformation Advisory Panel will also make recommendations on how to further develop the HR services sector here, Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad announced on Wednesday (May 8).
HR services refers to consultancies, training providers and technology firms, which can boost the effectiveness and capacity of firms’ in-house HR professionals, Mr Zaqy said at the start of the two-day HR Festival Asia conference at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre.
HR can go beyond payroll processing and putting up job posts, he said, adding: “In particular, HR tech solutions can minimise many of these transactional HR tasks, and free up your bandwidth as HR professionals to do more high touch, strategic work. This includes engaging employees to better understand their needs, concerns and aspirations, and building a strong organisational culture that supports change.” – THE STRAITS TIMES SG

domain: news


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In being an entrepreneur, you have to learn to juggle many different ideas, projects, and tasks all at the same time. This must all be done while you are also trying to build up your own company and create success within your business. One of the significant issues that come into play when entrepreneurs are dealing with multiple things at one time is stress.
Stress is something that hits us all in different ways when we have too much on our plate. The way we handle stress is essential to whether we are successful or not. Not managing your stress can lend itself to a great deal of failure in the entrepreneurial world, and your business will suffer because of it.
Understanding the effects of stress and what causes stress are the first steps to success and also healthily dealing with stress. When you are stressed, your mind automatically begins to think negatively and therefore, shuts down the possibilities of innovation and utilizing your brain to its full capacity. The best thing you can do is realize you are indeed stressed and make a choice to think positively with a small amount of stress. This way, you will continue making plans and ideas that will push yourself and your company forward.
Another way to handle your stress is by removing unnecessary worry. A lot of times, entrepreneurs and business leaders take on a lot at once, and many times, they worry about things that are out of their control. Take the time to make a list of everything that is currently on your mind and stressing you out. Then go through and either delegate things to others or shift your focus from the things that aren’t yours to handle to the issues you can personally deal with.
Instead of continuing to take on project after project or even more clients than your company can handle, just to grow your business, only take on what you can complete right now. If your business is not ready for the influx of clients, then do not take the extra work onto your plate. The same goes for projects. Learn to delegate and take work off of your plate and give it to others who have the extra time to do it. This removes the continued downward spiral of work piling up on top of the work that is already there. It will also help to remove that stress for you.

domain: psychology


More than half of Kenyans would vote ‘yes’ to reform the constitution in a referendum due in August but the percentage in favour of the new legal framework has fallen since April, an independent poll showed.
The new charter, which would curb sweeping presidential powers and strengthen civil liberties, is seen as the centre-piece of political reforms aimed at healing the ethnic divisions that dominate Kenyan politics.
A total of 57 percent said they would vote ‘yes’ — down by seven percentage points since April, 20 percent said they were against the draft constitution and 19 percent were still undecided, the survey by pollster Synovate showed.
Most analysts agree Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki, rivals in the last vote, would be the biggest winners in the event of a ‘yes’. Kibaki would fulfill one of his earliest electoral promises and secure his legacy while Odinga, who has been unequivocal in backing the document, would get a boost ahead of the 2012 presidential poll.
Others argue, however, that approval of the new constitution could pave the way for new alliances, threatening the fragile coalition, although a ‘no’ vote is not seen precipitating the government’s collapse.
“A ‘yes’ vote could destabilise the coalition. In the event of a ‘no’ vote, the coalition will continue, the status quo will remain although perhaps they will kick out … rebel ministers,” political commentator Mutahi Ngunyi told Reuters.
Synovate said it interviewed 6000 registered voters across the country. In its last survey in April, which sampled opinion from 2000 Kenyans of voting age, 64 percent said they would vote yes.
Guarantees of a new legal framework were central to a power-sharing deal in 2008, brokered by former UN chief Kofi Annan that ended weeks of violence that killed about 1300 people after a disputed poll.
But some senior politicians are spearheading a ‘no’ campaign angry at the failure to devolve power to the regions and plans to cap private land holdings.
Christian church leaders are also urging a ‘no’ vote because of a clause allowing abortions on medical grounds and the inclusion of Islamic courts dealing with divorce and inheritance.
Synovate also said its poll showed that if a snap presidential election was held immediately, Odinga would win 41 percent of the vote, far ahead of his closest rivals.
Kibaki cannot run for a third term.


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Blue French Bulldogs Breed Information Price Facts
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Frenchton Puppies For Adoption Near Me
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o our hobby breeding from our home.Once we receive 20 applications for a frenchie, we stop collecting applications for that dog, so if you see a great fit for your family in the week’s sneak peek list, please watch for the next weekly update for her available picture so you don’t miss out!Our girl lily receives the same comforts of home just as all of your beloved house pets.
Payments made through our website are tunneled via a secure and encrypted shopping cart system.Please do not attempt to apply for a dog with a pending adoption banner.Puppyfind® provides a convenient and efficient means of selecting and purchasing the perfect frenchton puppy (or frenchton puppies) from the comfort of your home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Take advantage of our puppysearch or leisurely browse our directory of hundreds of dog breeds, frenchton dog breeders, frenchton dogs for adoption, and.
The fee for adoption is firm the tails are very short.The frenchton is a delightful hybrid of a french bulldog and a boston terrier.The frenchton is a “designer breed” they are 1/2 french bulldog and 1/2 boston terrier.The frenchton is an adorable designer breed crossing the french bulldog and the boston terrier.
The frenchton was bred to reduce the known health issues in the parent breeds so you are sure to get the perfect pup.The frenchton, a designer breed developed by crossing the french bulldog and boston terrier, is mostly found to be about 75% like the french bulldog and 25% like its boston terrier parent.The frenchton, also sometimes referred to as a faux french bulldog, frenchbo, or a boston frenchie, is a designer dog breed that was developed in the 1990s.The frenchton’s small size makes them great for apartment living.
They are a fun breed.They are half of boston terrier and french bulldog.They are highly intelligent, so they train very easily.They have the french bulldog’s “bat ears” an a snout that is halfway between a boston terrier a french bulldog.
They still snore and fart like a french bulldog and boston terrier.Very willing to please and love action and affection.Visits and puppy travel are still available for you to receive a puppy at this time.We also do 3/4 faux frenchie, and […]
We are a small home based kennel out of four oaks, n.c.We are just beginning our breeding program of crossing the french bulldog with the boston terrier.We are the sarvers and we raise our beloved frenchtons.We are woodland frenchies a small family breeder located in ohio that raises the best frenchton puppies.
We decided to purchase a frenchie and you know what they say once you’ve had one you can’t stop, you…We have always had an admiration for boston terriers and french bulldogs and this breed is an absolute wonderful.We live just south of st.Welcome to bentonvillepets.com our desire is to breed healthy well socialized pets at a reasonable price.
Welcome to midwest frenchies we are a husband and wife team that run a family owned and operated business in a rural farming community located in central iowa where we have been raising toy breeds for over 15 years.With a designer cross between the french bulldog and boston terrier these short haired pups are sure to find a great fit in your home.With the frenchtons standing no taller than 16’’ in height.You will find french bulldog dogs for adoption and puppies for sale under the listings here.

domain: pet


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Part user's manual, part experimental self-portrait, The Guide is an on-line tutorial that teaches the user the details of performing Michael Mandiberg's persona. It is part of The Exchange Program, a series of exchanges in which Michael and nine others switch lives with one another for ten days. The guide-as-user-manual turns personality into procedures, situations, and props.
with funds from the Jerome Foundation and
the National Endowment for the Arts


Cisco Meraki Cloud-managed Wireless APs
Meraki Wi-Fi APs are engineered to be configured and administered, along with Meraki's other network appliances, using Meraki's cloud-based services. Meraki's 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi APs are available for indoor and outside use and include advanced capabilities such as zero-touch over-the-web updates, location analytics, application visibility, automatic RF optimization, policy enforcement based on user type, plus a dedicated radio that offers wireless intrusion detection and prevention system (WIDS/WIPS) security for RF analysis and deep packet inspection at line rate. Top-of-the-line Wi-Fi APs from Meraki can handle up to 2.5 Gbps of Wi-Fi traffic across a single cable. Meraki's cloud management tools provide centralized control over deployments that can run the gamut from a single Wi-Fi AP at a home office to a multi-site distributed IT ecosystem with thousands of wireless users.
Meraki's cloud services unify the management of access points, switches and firewalls across multi-site WANs
Progent's Cisco-certified Wi-Fi networking experts can provide remote and on-premises consulting and support services to assist your organization to plan, configure, manage, optimize, and repair wireless deployments that utilize Cisco's Meraki access points. Progent's experts can also help your organization to plan and deploy hybrid networks that combine on-premises and cloud-hosted services and that deliver easy access, advanced security and compliance, streamlined management, and consistent operation for all your mobile and desktop endpoints. Progent also can provide affordable wireless site surveys to help you to choose, position, and configure Meraki Wi-Fi APs to create a Wi-Fi solution optimized for your physical layout and IT workloads.
Cisco Meraki Indoor Wave 2 Wi-Fi APs
Meraki's line of Wave 2 dual-band indoor access points includes low-cost units for general use and also high-end Wi-Fi APs that support performance as fast as 2.5 Gbps. All Cisco Meraki indoor access points offer advanced features such as self-configuration for fast deployment, built-in data protection and performance analytics, automatic patching, and centralized cloud management for wireless environments of any scale, from a lone site to multi-site wireless networks. Meraki indoor access points also include radios with advanced receive sensitivity plus a proprietary wireless intrusion detection and prevention system with a dedicated radio for spectrum analysis and realtime packet inspection.
Additional features of the Cisco Meraki line of indoor access points are a 1 GigE interface, 802.3af Power-over-Ethernet compatibility, realtime encryption, wireless IPs, zero-configuration mesh routing, single-click secure guest access with a guest firewall, customizable splash pages, built-in policy firewall for granular group or device-based access management, built-in antivirus, WPA2-Enterprise authentication with Active Directory integration, Layer 7 traffic shaping for prioritizing or restricting different types of applications, plus multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and integrated beam forming to support high density venues without compromising range.
The Meraki MR20 is an entry-level Wave 2 wireless access point designed for small office or home office use. The cloud-managed access point has 2x2:2 MU-MIMO with two spatial streams and delivers up to 1.3 Gbps aggregate performance with 866 Mbps in the 5 GHz band and 400 Mbps data rates in the 2.4 GHz band. The MR20 access point includes Meraki's Air Marshal wireless intrusion prevention system (WIPS) for threat identification and attack remediation. The access point has one 10/100/1000 BASE-T Ethernet RJ45 port but not a Bluetooth BLE radio. The MR20 AP is desktop, ceiling, or wall mountable.
The Meraki MR42 access point is a Wave 2 AP for performance-critical and/or high-density wireless LANs. The MR42 features 3◊3:3 MU-MIMO technology with beamforming, provides a maximum transmission rate of 1.9 Gbit/sec, includes a 1 GigE interface, and has an integrated Bluetooth radio for scanning and Beaconing. The Meraki MR52 is a high-performance 802.11ac Wave 2 access point designed for densely populated campus and enterprise environments. The 4-radio MR52 offers 4◊4 MU-MIMO technology with four spatial streams and beamforming, delivers over-the-air data rates as high as 2.5 Gbps, supports 160 MHz channels, includes two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, and features a Bluetooth BLE radio. Cisco's Meraki MR53 wireless AP offers the same specs as the MR52 but has one Gigabit Ethernet port plus a 2.5 Gbps Multigigabit Ethernet interface.
The Meraki MR30H AP is a wall switch unit intended for hotel rooms or dorm room venues and uses 2x2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac Wave 2 support. The access point includes an integrated 4-port GbE switch, and an integrated BLE radio for beaconing and scanning functions. The MR30H delivers aggregate throughput as high as 1.3 Gbps with simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios. Cisco's Meraki MR33 is a general-purpose access point suitable for offices, classrooms, hospitals, shops and other active environments. The MR33 offers the same feature set as the Meraki MR30H AP but is packaged in a low-profile enclosure and does not include a built-in 4-port GbE switch.
Legacy Meraki Indoor Wi-Fi Access Points
Cisco's Meraki MR18 AP, which is at end-of-life status, is a wall or desktop mountable 802.11n device that can deliver combined data rates of up to 600 Mbps with its two 2x2:2 MIMO radios. This no-frills wireless access point is intended for use in low to moderate density venues. The Meraki MR32 is a wall, ceiling or desktop mountable wireless access point featuring a 5 GHz 2x2:2 802.11ac radio and a 2.4 GHz 2x2:2 802.11n radio, offering a top aggregate frame rate of 1.2 Gbit/s. This device comes with a Bluetooth radio for Beaconing and scanning and is intended for high-density venues such as campuses, hotels, and large offices.
The Meraki MR34 access point, which has been discontinued, is a 802.11ac device that features 3x3 MIMO with 1.75 Gbps throughput. Designed to support high density environments, the MR34 offers 802.af PoE and 802.3at PoE+. The MR34 does not include BLE.
Meraki Cloud-managed Outdoor/Industrial Wi-Fi APs
Meraki outdoor access points are IP67 certified, built to withstand rugged outdoor environments, and tested to resist dust particles, vibration and moisture. Cisco's Meraki outdoor wireless access points include a Gigabit Ethernet port and offer advanced capabilities such as cloud management with network-wide control, native Active Directory integration, built-in antivirus scan (NAC), single-click secure guest access and isolation firewall, Layer 7 traffic shaping, plus self-configuring mesh with MIMO and beamforming.
The Cisco Meraki MR62 is a value-priced, single-radio 802.11n outdoor Wi-Fi, access point that delivers 300 Mbit/sec performance and features a single-radio mesh and VPN connectivity for teleworkers. The mid-range Meraki MR66 wireless, access point features dual radios, delivers a maximum of 600 Mbit/sec aggregate throughput, and features 2x2 MIMO technology, beamforming, and multi-radio mesh. Cisco's high-capacity Meraki MR72 is a three-radio wireless AP that delivers throughput of up to 1.2 Gbps with combined 802.11ac and 802.11n 2x2:2 MIMO radios. A separate third radio is devoted to WIDS/WIPS security and RF optimization. The MR72 access point also includes a BLE radio for Beaconing and BLE scanning. The ultra-fast Meraki MR84 is a 4-radio outdoor AP engineered to handle difficult, high-density RF environments such as a sports stadium or other outdoor site. The MR84 features 4◊4:4 MU-MIMO technology, 160 MHz channels, a GbE port and a Multigigabit port, and a built-in Bluetooth radio.
Cisco's Meraki Cloud-hosted Wi-Fi Management System
Meraki Wi-Fi APs have the CPU, RAM and architectural resources required to perform packet processing, Quality of Service (QoS, layer 3-7 security, line-rate encryption, and other critical access point services at the network boundary while simultaneously supporting Meraki's cloud-based management system. Meraki's extensive cloud management capabilities provide unified control over an almost limitless selection of WLANs and clients via a single browser-based dashboard with powerful features such as layer 7 device and application monitoring, health and connectivity monitoring and alerts, management reporting, live diagnostics for remote remediation, automatic updates, and world-class security.
Meraki's cloud services offer unified management and analytics via a single dashboard
Progent's Cisco-certified CCIE infrastructure experts can assist your organization to evaluate the business advantages of Cisco's Meraki cloud-hosted solution for managing wireless and wired network resources. Progent's experts can also help you to plan, implement, and manage a unified network environment that incorporates Cisco's Meraki technology. For a closer look at Cisco Meraki cloud-based management services for Wi-Fi and wired networks, visit: Meraki cloud-based management services for Wi-Fi networks.
How Progent's Consultants Can Assist You with Cisco Meraki Wi-Fi APs
Progent's Cisco-certified Wi-Fi networking experts can provide online and onsite expertise to assist businesses of any size to design, deploy, administer, optimize or debug Wi-Fi networks that incorporate Meraki wireless access points. Progent's experts can deliver as-needed assistance to guide you through a challenging technical roadblock or Progent can provide end-to-end project management or co-management expertise to ensure that critical Wi-Fi tasks are finished on time and on budget. Progent can help you to integrate Meraki Wi-Fi access points with Meraki switches and security appliances or with non-Meraki infrastructure appliances from Cisco or from other providers. (Refer to Cisco Meraki switches integration expertise.) Progent's also offers wireless site surveys to help your organization to select and place Meraki wireless access points optimally to support the coverage, throughput, and capacity you need for your Wi-Fi solution.
Progent's certified data security and compliance experts can help you define policies that are enforced consistently across your wired and wireless network that align with industry and government standards. Progent's disaster recovery preparedness experts can assist you to design fault-tolerant and recoverable Wi-Fi environments that deploy the high-availability technology designed into Meraki Wi-Fi APs and cloud-based management and monitoring services.
To learn more about Progent's Wi-Fi consulting and support services, see Progent's wireless network consulting and troubleshooting support.
For more information about Progent's consulting expertise for other Cisco networking technology, select a topic:
Contact Progent for Consulting Support for Meraki Wireless Access Points
To learn more about Progent's consulting expertise for configuring, managing and debugging Cisco Meraki Wi-Fi access points, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.


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Palm Springs, CA – Hot Purple Energy (HPE), a Palm Springs-based company providing solar and other clean energy solutions, has become a Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) stakeholder. In addition to its investment of $5,000, HPE has committed to sponsoring CVEP’s Renewable Energy Roundtable.
“It is extremely encouraging when an exciting company like Hot Purple Energy joins the ranks of CVEP investors,” said Tom Flavin, CEO of CVEP. “Across the private sector, we’re seeing companies step up to help improve the valley as a place for business. A thriving local solar company is a natural fit, given our focus on clean tech and renewable energy as a job cluster.”
HPE’s sponsorship of CVEP’s monthly Renewable Energy Roundtable will allow the assembly of an increasingly diversified panel of industry experts. The Renewable Energy Roundtable is a gathering of community and industry leaders that assesses the region’s green and renewable energy strengths and opportunities now and in the future.
Founded in Palm Springs in 2009, HPE offers full-service energy solutions across Southern California. HPE conducts free detailed home efficiency audits to help people balance the cost of energy, lifestyle and environmental concern. They guide clients through the full project cycle of solar technology implementation, from design aesthetics and permitting to installation, rebates and monitoring. HPE also provides panel cleaning, power conditioner installation and web-based energy monitoring services.
“We believe in making a difference here in our community,” said Nate Otto, president and founder of HPE. “That means not only offering complete solutions to help customers take advantage of our region’s robust renewable energy resources, but also partnering with organizations like CVEP to more fully develop the other tremendous resources – for businesses and residents – that the valley has to offer.”
For more information about CVEP, including how to become a partner, visit www.cvep.com or call (760) 340-1575.


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We have a treat for you today- here's another post from our Guest Designer,
Halloween’s coming up in a few days and I wanted to have a few little treats on hand for some special trick-or-treaters. I used the Spooky Sweets set to whip up a card and a pair of coordinating treats in no time at all.
The card uses the set’s spider web as the focal image. I added a pair of button spiders with pearl eyes to the web for dimension. The set’s “Happy Halloween” sentiment is stamped beneath the web image in gray ink—it came out looking kind of greenish against the orange background, but that works okay with the rest of my color scheme! The image is paired with some dotted patterned paper strips and a debossed dotted background panel.
And, here are the treats. I made a spooky s’mores kit in a bag. The bag has two graham cracker squares, a mini sized chocolate bar, and a ghost shaped Peep. I topped the bag with a die cut label, folded in half and stamped with the Houndstooth background stamp, then decorated with the set’s ghost image and the “spooky” sentiment.
The second treat is a mini treat tube filled with pumpkin shaped candy corn pieces. They’re the perfect size for the tube! After I filled it and put on the top, I attached a simple tag made with a label die cut and the set’s bat image.
Thanks so much to the team at Market Street Stamps for having me as a guest designer this month!
Thank YOU for joining us, Lori!
Make sure you guys all run over and check out Lori's blog
You'll be inspired!
Have a great Friday! :)

domain: hobby


This paper explains how climate change is affecting women and why it is necessary to integrate a gender perspective into the design of national policies and mitigation and adaptation strategies. The first part provides some information about climate change in Nepal and about the Government’s efforts to address the issues arising. The second part examines the conditions and status of women in Nepal, particularly in the mountains, and provides some examples of how climate change is affecting them. Finally, the paper offers some conclusions and recommendations.
Women's Environment and Development Organization


NewsroomPRC Researchers Find Small Businesses Are Willing to Implement Health Promotion Programs and Policies
Researchers at the University of Washington PRC evaluated the implementation of the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) HealthLinks, a workplace health promotion program, in 23 small and low-wage companies in Mason County, Washington. Businesses that participated in HealthLinks received resources and support from ACS to select and implement best practices in workplace health promotion. These are practices designed to reduce behaviors that put employees at risk for chronic diseases. Results showed that businesses that used HealthLinks significantly increased their implementation of physical activity programs (29% to 51%) and health behavior policies (40% to 81%) focused on limiting or banning tobacco use and promoting healthy eating and physical activity. See “Increasing Evidence-Based Workplace Health Promotion Best Practices in Small and Low-Wage Companies, Mason County, Washington, 2009,” released April, 5, 2012, by Preventing Chronic Disease.
PRC Researchers Develop an Approach to Selecting Policy Initiatives for Rural Area
Working with the CDC’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative in Pitt and Lenoir Counties, North Carolina, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill PRC designed an approach to identify achievable local policy initiatives for obesity prevention. CDC has recommended strategies and measures that communities and local governments can use to plan and monitor environmental and policy changes for obesity prevention. In the PRC project, these recommendations were ranked by county stakeholders (such as planners, town managers, and advisory council members) according to feasibility and likelihood of success, based on the community’s culture, infrastructure, extent of leadership support, and potential funding support. In further discussions with stakeholders, the researchers used questions from Community Readiness: A Handbook for Successful Change to determine the county’s readiness to implement the policies the stakeholders had ranked most achievable. Public health professionals and stakeholders in other rural locations may benefit from using the PRC’s approach when selecting obesity prevention strategies. See “A Community-Driven Approach to Identifying “Winnable” Policies Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Common Community Measures for Obesity Prevention,” released March 29, 2012, by Preventing Chronic Disease.
Kentucky PRC Releases Facebook Application for Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading risk factor for cervical cancer. As part of its research into ways to raise awareness of cervical cancer, the University of Kentucky Rural Cancer Prevention Center released a Facebook application. The application creates an educational video about cervical cancer screening and vaccination for HPV that incorporates photos of the viewer and the viewer’s Facebook friends. The video explains how screening and HPV vaccination can prevent cervical cancer and invites viewers to share the application with their Facebook friends. The application is part of the center’s Cervical Cancer Free Kentucky initiative, a research project that aims to 1) increase the number of women in Kentucky who get Pap test, a screening test that can detect changes in cervical cells before they become cancerous, and 2) increase the number of eligible residents who get vaccinated against HPV.
Registration Opens for PRC Adolescent Sexual Health Course
The University of Texas at Houston PRC has opened registration for its 4th annual Adolescent Sexual Health Course, scheduled for June 12–14, 2012, at the university. This year’s course will focus on promoting sexual health in schools. Topics include evidence-based strategies for preventing sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy, media and today’s youth, and how to become a leader for adolescent sexual health. For more information and to register, visit the PRC’s website.


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15 Alleged gang members arrested after crime spreePosted: Updated:
PHOENIX (AP) - Phoenix police are rounding up gang members they believe are part of at least 25 burglaries that began earlier this year.
The police department says 15 people were being picked up and booked Thursday for burglary, trafficking in stolen property, assisting in criminal street gangs, money laundering and theft.
The stolen property is estimated at over $140,000. Detectives say the gangs used cash from the burglaries to further their criminal activities.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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115 mph Wasilla chase ends with arrest on federal warrant
Alaska State Troopers had to spin out an Anchorage man’s vehicle Monday evening to end a high-speed chase in Wasilla.
According to an online dispatch, 37-year-old Nathan Michael Klinger was known to have outstanding federal no-bail warrants for being a felon in possession of firearms and distribution of controlled substances. Troopers also believed he was armed.
Troopers tried to stop Klinger’s 2019 Kia Optima at about 7 p.m. Monday as he was leaving the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
Although Klinger initially stopped, he then pulled away from troopers, leading them and Wasilla police on a 14-minute chase through Wasilla and up Knik-Goose Bay Road at speeds that exceeded 115 mph, the dispatch states.
“He eventually drove into a more rural neighborhood and was stopped by AST by use of the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT),” troopers wrote.
After the vehicle stopped, troopers said Klinger tried to run, but was taken into custody after a short foot chase.
Klinger was remanded on his federal warrants and will be charged with state felonies linked to the chase, according to the dispatch.
“Investigation continues and additional charges are expected,” troopers wrote.
Copyright 2019 KTVA. All rights reserved.
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Thursday, May 17, Wizz Air held a ceremony at Kutaisi’s Davit Aghmashenebeli International Airport to celebrate the addition of a second Airbus A320 to its Kutaisi-based fleet, and its first flight from Paris to Kutaisi. With the additional aircraft, flights are opening to five new destinations: Paris, Rome, Prague, Barcelona, and Athens. Additional flights will also be added between Kutaisi and German destinations Berlin and Dortmund. Attendees to the ceremony included the First Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Dimitry Kumsishvili, the Director of the JSC United Airports of Georgia, Ketevan Aleksidze, and Johan Eidhagen, Wizz Air’s Chief Marketing Officer.
Wizz Air, a low-cost, no-frills airline based out of Hungary, has been operating in Georgia since 2012. The company choose Kutaisi International Airport as its base in part to avoid the high fees of Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport. The low-cost flights have brought many tourists to Georgia and encouraged many people to explore Kutaisi and its surroundings, who may not otherwise have visited. According to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Wizz Air carried more than 222,000 passengers in 2017, and has already carried 111,000 passengers in the first four months of 2018.
Wizz Air currently offers flights from Kutaisi to 20 destinations in 14 European countries, including some of the most popular tourist destinations – Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and the Czech Republic. Flights are generally once or twice a week to and from each destination. There are many options for transportation between Tbilisi and Kutaisi, including MetroBus, Georgian Railways, and shared taxis or marshrutkas from Okriba Bus Station (located at Didube metro station).
At last week’s ceremony, Minister Kumsishvili praised the Hungarian company’s contribution to the Georgian economy, noting that 2017 saw 43% growth in the airport sector, and 34% growth so far in 2018. In addition to direct flights, which help increase tourism inflows, “new flights will also result in the creation of direct and indirect jobs. To date, Wizz Air has invested $100 million in Georgia via one of the aircrafts based here, and since the second aircraft is to be based here starting today, it means that the company’s investments in Georgia have already reached $200 million. The company has created 70 direct and 250 indirect jobs thus far and the second aircraft will generate another 37 jobs,” said Kumsishvili. The ground and flight crews that service Wizz Air passengers and aircrafts in Kutaisi are all Georgian citizens.
Wizz Air has been rapidly expanding its flights from Kutaisi. In March of this year, flights were added to Riga, Latvia, and Wroclaw, Poland. There are plans to add flights to Bucharest, Romania from July 3, and to Vienna, Austria, from November 15.
The expansion of low cost flights to Europe from Kutaisi opens new routes of exploration for residents of Georgia, and “means the growth of our economy...new jobs and maximum promotion of the tourism development,” notes Dimitry Kumsishvili.


Two of the scarcest and least known of John Pedersen’s designs are the Model GY and GX rifles, which are basically copies of the production model of the M1 Garand. After losing out in the Army rifle trials with his toggle-locked rifle design, Pedersen made one last attempt to garner a US military contract by building his own slightly modified version of the M1. It function the same way as the Garand, with a long-stroke piston, gas port right by the muzzle, and rotating bolt. However, Pedersen put some of his own touches on the rifle, including spiral barrel fluting, drain/cooling slots on the underside of the stock, and a rotating drum to adjust elevation on the rear sight.
Less than 10 of the GY and GX rifles were ever made, and they (obviously) failed to make a significant impression on the US Army – they never went into any type of serial production. This one at Rock Island is in magnificent condition, and still full of cosmoline form when it was put in storage.
At Forgotten Weapons I think the most interesting guns out there are the most obscure ones. I try to search out experimental and prototype weapons and show you how they work, in addition to more conventional guns that you may not have heard of before. You’re much more likely to find a video on the Cei Rigotti or Webley-Fosbery here than an AR or Glock. So, do you want to learn about something new today? Then stick around!


This is the quilt I learned how to do rotory cutting. A friend of mine asked me to make him a quilt from Crown Royal sacks he had collected while working in the oilfield. I could not find anything that would mark on the purple sack fabric. I used a rectangle shape to get the size he wanted. Using yellow and gold with the purple really made a nice trip pattern. Later I learned gold and purple were their school colors. I used the smaller bags cut into squares and put them on point on each side for a border. This was one of my first special order quilts.


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> Bush never banned same-sex marriages.
He wants to, though, and with a majority-conservative legislature and soon-to-be-all-conservative Supreme Court, he likely thinks he can.
> There is no ban on same-sex marriages at the state level, and even if
> there were, no President could have been responsible for it.
Close that newsmax.com window and start reading the real news. Dozens of states have enacted same-sex marriage bans, many as a result of the 2004 elections.
> The same-sex marriage ban is at the federal level under the
> Defense of Marriage Act, passed by Congress in 1996 and
> signed by Bill Clinton,
The DoMA does not ban same-sex marriage. It simply delegates the responsibility of "defining" marriage from the federal government to the individual states. If Utah wanted to define marriage as between one man and as many women as possible, they could, but other states would not be required to recognize Utah's polygamous marriages.
> who obtained the presidency twice by
> kowtowing to moderates, only to suddenly turn hard-core
> left-wing once he got into office.
Where is the proof of that? And even if that's what he did, so what? Under the Clinton years, Americans were happy, healthy, wealthy, and peaceful, and that's far more than what either Bush can claim about his presidency.
> Nobody has taken away anybody's right to choose. A woman
> can choose to abstain. A woman can choose to use a
> contraceptive. A woman can choose to demand that her
> partner use a contraceptive. A woman can choose to put the
> child up for adoption. A woman can choose to raise the
> child. A woman can even choose an abortion.
A woman can also give you the finger and tell you it's about time the Religious Right stopped trying to legislate what she can and cannot do with her own body.
> Abortion isn't going away, even if all nine justices are conservative.
Maybe so, but you can be damn well sure they'll try
to make it go away.

domain: sociology


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'Mind Over Mater: Brutus'. 11" x 15". 2012.
Acrylic on Bristol, custom framed.
Brutus was part of a series called 'Mind Over Mater' in which I was combining tweaked versions of ceremonial masks and/or head-dresses with collegiate mascots. Brutus was based on/influenced by masks from the Native American Hopi Tribes. He was paired with The Ohio State University's mascot, Brutus the Buckeye.


Nationals' Stephen Strasburg (hand) scratched from Saturday start against Yankees
Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been scratched from his start on Saturday night against the New York Yankees because of a hand injury.
Strasburg is reportedly dealing with a nerve issue in his right hand that will force him to miss his start on Saturday. Erick Fedde, who was projected to start Tuesday's game against Toronto, will start in his place against the Yankees tonight. Nationals' manager Dave Martinez mentioned that Strasburg's issue extends to his right thumb and that he received an injection. He added that he hopes this is a day-to-day situation.
Fedde pitched 78 innings for the Nationals last season, resulting in a 4.50 ERA, 41 strikeouts, 1.462 WHIP, 33 walks, and a 4 win-2 loss record.
- Gorgui Dieng starting for Memphis on Saturday in place of injured Brandon Clarke February 6th, 2021
- Rays' Austin Meadows batting third in Game 6 on Tuesday October 27th, 2020
- Ji-Man Choi batting leadoff for Rays in Game 6 on Tuesday October 27th, 2020
- Dodgers' A.J. Pollock batting eighth in Game 6 on Tuesday October 27th, 2020
- Dodgers' Joc Pederson batting eighth in Game 5 on Sunday October 25th, 2020
- Austin Barnes catching for Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday October 25th, 2020
- Kurt Suzuki sitting for Nationals Sunday September 27th, 2020
- Yan Gomes catching for Nationals Sunday September 27th, 2020
- Michael Taylor sitting for Nationals Sunday September 27th, 2020
- Victor Robles starting in center field for Nats Sunday September 27th, 2020
- Friday's Mets-Nationals game postponed due to inclement weather September 25th, 2020
- Brock Holt on first base Friday for Nationals September 25th, 2020


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The Cross Channel Film Lab has announced its call for four low to medium budget film projects that feature brave, original and imaginative usage of visual effects and/or Stereo 3D, to go through the Labâ€™s second workshop programme in 2014.
In todayâ€™s cinema, visual effects, computer generated images and Stereo 3D are usually associated with high budget films. The Cross Channel Film Lab (CCFL) initiative aims to foster the use of these tools for British and French independent cinema at low to medium budget levels.
Building on the success of a pilot scheme in 2010, the CCFL brings together the strengths and skills of eleven partners from both sides of the Channel, from the film industry and from the research and development fields.
The Lab offers filmmakers a unique opportunity to develop their screenplays and production strategies within an applied research platform dedicated to Stereo 3D, visual effects and CGI.
The scheme is developing a total of eight feature film projects during 2013 and 2014. Successful writer-director-producer teams work with experts from the UK and France, combining story and technology at an early stage to refine and present their projects and strengthen their production and post-production planning. Script consultants, VFX and Stereo 3D experts and specialist researchers assist the filmmakers in exploring the most effective ways for the projects to use technology and engage audiences at a lower budget.
Creative England, Bournemouth University, Falmouth University, Cornwall Council and Arts Centre Trust Cornwall worked with Franceâ€™s Le Groupe Ouest, Artefacto, UniversitĂ© de Bretagne Occidentale, TĂ©lĂ©com Bretagne (3D Fovea), Ecole EuropĂ©enne SupĂ©rieure dâ€™Art de Bretagne, the Dinard Film Festival and a range of industry partners worked to build a collaborative R&D model in 2012, followed by implementation of the first year of the Lab programme in 2013.
Four projects selected last year for participation in the Lab programme for 2013 are currently engaged in script development and image testing. (One and All and The Machine from the UK, and La Reine du Sabbat and A Tale From the Deep from France.)
The deadline for applications is 30th September 2013, with project selection completed in November.


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May is National Trauma Awareness Month. Established by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, National Trauma Awareness Month is a time for all of us to appeal to our state and federal lawmakers to support funding for trauma research and provide resources to local trauma centers. It’s also a good time to provide injury prevention messages to the public and to publicize the locations of trauma centers.
May 18th is National Trauma Survivor’s Day, sponsored by the American Trauma Society. Visit ATS and learn how you can help raise awareness: http://www.traumasurvivorsnetwork.org/pages/national-trauma-survivors-day
Below are some suggestions for your own National Trauma Awareness Month campaign.
Call your members of Congress who sit on Appropriations Committees and ask for support of the Trauma Clinical Research Program in the Defense Health Program budget. NTI and the Coalition for National Trauma Research have asked for $20 million in FY 2017 for this program, which will establish a network of military and civilian trauma centers to conduct military-relevant trauma research.
House Appropriations Committee
Senate Appropriations Committee
Include recent trauma statistics in patient newsletters and flyers (see tab to left).
Publish safety reminders in local papers (see tab to the left).
Publicize Trauma Center locations and facts (see tabs to the left).
The Facts About Trauma in the U.S.
■ Trauma is the #1 cause of death for Americans between 1 and 46 years old.
■ Trauma is the #3 cause of death overall.
■ Each year, trauma accounts for 41 million
ER visits and 2 million
■ Trauma injury accounts for 30% of all life years lost.
■ The economic burden of trauma is more than $671 billion annually.
■ Each year, more than 192,000 people lose their lives to trauma.


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4 days ago · The Twelfth Congress of the Philippines (Filipino: Ikalabindalawang Kongreso ng Pilipinas) was the national Lower House of the legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, composed of the Senate of the Philippines and House of Representatives of the Philippines. The convening of the 12th Congress follows the 2001 elections, which replaced ...
5 days ago · Sen. Grace Poe urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to advocate for the rights of consumers and use its influence on banks to ensure fraud victims get their money back.
People also ask
What is the 12th Congress of the Philippines?
What is the House of Representatives in the Philippines?
How many congressmen are there in the Philippines?
Who are the members of the 12th Congress?
3 days ago · The Congress of the Philippines (Filipino: Kongreso ng Pilipinas) is the bicameral legislature of the Philippines. It is consisted of the Senate (upper house) and the House of Representatives (lower house),  although colloquially, the term "Congress" commonly refers to just the latter.
4 days ago · The House of Representatives of the Philippines (Filipino: Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan ng Pilipinas) is the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines.Informally known as Kamara (from the Spanish word Cámara, meaning "chamber"), the lower house is usually called Congress, although the term collectively refers to both houses.
- 3 years
- 304 representatives, 243 from congressional districts, 61 party-list representatives
- May 13, 2019
3 days ago · Philippine Congress – 12th Congress of the Philippines; Events. February 26 – Former Pres. Estrada admits signing ₱500 million Jose Velarde bank account in Equitable-PCI Bank. March 5 – The sixth most powerful earthquake of the year, the Mindanao earthquake struck near the Cotabato Trench and registered a magnitude of 7.5.
3 days ago · Outside of Office Hours, contact: (+632) 530-120-00. Outside of the Philippines: (+632) 530-120-00 ext. 2246 or 2567
Mar 17, 2021 · 2nd National K to 12 Conference In its continuing commitment to deliver quality and relevant education for Filipino learners, the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted the 2nd National K to 12 Conference at the PICC last January 10-11, 2017.
3 days ago · These are the members of the 15th Congress of the Philippines.The 15th Congress convened on July 26, 2010 and will adjourn around June 2013. Senators elected on the 2007 Senate election and senators elected on the 2010 Senate election comprise the Senate while representatives elected on the 2010 House of Representatives election comprise the House of Representatives
Mar 29, 2021 · Celebrity Sports Plaza, Quezon City (October 12, 2020) Composition. Both chambers of Congress are divided into parties and blocs. While members are elected via parties, blocs are the basis for committee memberships. Only members of the majority and minority blocs are accorded committee memberships. This is how blocs are determined:


text: We have three hens that have been living in a pen with our pygmy goats in their own small Ark style tractor for about a year. We got new chicks this spring and have 4 hens and a rooster that are now about 5 months old and girls are starting to lay in a screened run that is separate (and far enough away that the chickens don't see each other). We just built a large coop in the pen with the goats that will house all the chickens. My husband is a small animal vet so we also had a tiny bantam hen come into us that someone had found. She appears about the same age as our new birds but they did not accept her when we tried to introduce her earlier. We want to move them all into the big coop but are wondering what the best strategy is. The pen with the goats is fairly large so I was thinking of introducing all the newbies together into the pen during the day where they have free roam and watching to see how it goes. One problem is the goats love to heat butt the chickens and the newbies will not be used to that - the poor bantam especially. I am most worried about the bantam as she is small and has been a singleton. I was trying to think of other options like putting all the news ones in the pen to roam free and keeping the ones that have been resident there inside the tractor so they get to see the new ones for a while before we let them mingle. Alternatively, the bantam could be in the tractor for a while if she gets picked on while the others get put together in the pen and then in the new coop. Any ideas for the best way to introduce these new ones?


In today’s world, nobody is surprised by smartwatches and fitness trackers. However, there is more to medical wearables than just step counting. Entire device categories appear to drive increased demand caused by the need for remote care technology. The projected global end-user spending on wearable devices in 2022 is estimated to reach $81.5 billion.
The trend for health tracking applications and tools was in the works long ago, but in recent years it has become one of the most promising and fast-growing sectors, attracting insurers and health tech companies.
While telehealth and telemedicine can be helpful during isolation, medical wearables are the only way to track the patient’s condition outside the hospital. Most wearable devices in healthcare are designed to bring data visualization to an entirely new level.
Wearables are now far beyond being just a fancy accessory: we now have 5G-driven devices, smart clothing, biosensors, and more.
It’s also becoming increasingly popular for both patients and regular users. According to Insider Intelligence research, the number of health and fitness app users will rise above 84 million throughout 2022.
Simply displaying a patient’s steps or sleep record is no longer sufficient for an innovative patient experience, and it is also inconvenient for clinicians. Users want more than just raw facts and information; they want it evaluated and served with recommendations and insights, particularly when it comes to their health.
Market outlook: future of wearable technology in healthcare
Apart from the pandemic-driven boom in remote care, there are other factors that facilitate wearable tech development. One of these is increased interest in monitoring one’s health. Apparently, 75% of patients agree that wearable healthcare devices help them monitor their own health.
More individuals want to be active in their treatment, and as a result, health monitoring is becoming increasingly popular. There is projected to be an increase in medical wearables as more consumers look to track their status with a device. Aside from fitness bracelets, healthcare wearable technology comes in a variety of sizes and types.
The main goal of these devices is to make it as simple and easy to use as possible. It is crucial to remember that people wear these trackers every day and that engagement occurs on a daily basis.
Any obstacle in the user experience can push the product down the competition list, therefore convenient, user-friendly solutions are critical for the effective distribution of healthcare wearables.
Wearable health technology trends
Medical wearables are the class of devices used by doctors to gain better understanding of a patient’s condition, which makes them more tailored to professional rather than personal use. A common application of medical wearables is to measure a patient’s blood pressure, and to track heart rate with electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors.
In addition to identifying atrial fibrillation, the gadget may transmit alarms and relay information about a patient’s status to a doctor.
Doctors can provide recommendations and treatment instructions to patients at the same time. Furthermore, wearable gadgets save historical data that can be analyzed later to extract valuable insights and monitor the user’s well-being and treatment effectiveness.
The next generation of medical wearables is driven by the development of biosensors. These self-sealing patches monitor a variety of health indicators, including the user’s body temperature, respiration rate, heartbeat, and blood pressure. One of these accessible patches was developed by Philips, specifically for patients in need of frequent monitoring.
For people with unstable heart conditions, the technology can be particularly helpful. Research from Augusta University Medical Center showed that a wearable device registered an 89% reduction in patient deterioration into cardiac or respiratory arrest.
The simplest and most accessible for public use, fitness trackers have been around for a long time. It is even safe to say that the mainstream movement of personal health tracking started with a wristband.
Nevertheless, fitness devices are evolving like any other technology in healthcare and becoming more sophisticated. From primitive step counting tools, fitness tech is moving towards smartwatches with more advanced tracking capabilities.
For example, the latest generation of Apple watches leverages such functionality, with a blood oxygen saturation tracking feature, an FDA-approved electrocardiogram sensor, and heart health monitoring.
Another smartwatch, Garmin Veru 2, let’s keep a close eye on the user’s health metrics with quick and accurate blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiration rate readings. The latest generation of Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 also can detect body fat rate and an installed snore tracker.
5G driven devices
Obviously, the key point of any medical wearable device is to accurately and quickly transmit data for further use, otherwise, there’s no point in wearing the device. While some tools provide information right away, the majority of devices still need integration and connection with other main devices.
What is the role of 5G in this important process? Firstly, it is the quickest Internet speed we have so far, but the real draw card is the low latency that 5G coverage provides. Low latency means a decreased border between two points of contact, which decreases the data transmission speed from around 20 milliseconds to about 1 millisecond.
While this may not seem like a huge difference to a regular user, 5G enables significantly better data transmission quality and helps reduce downtime and data losses.
Such adjustments may be critical for patients with heart health issues, and other medical conditions that require immediate reaction and data speed.
Virtual and augmented reality technology is employed in the healthcare business for a variety of objectives, ranging from teaching medical students to generating simulations for patients who wish to have a better experience while receiving treatment.
VR and AR are frequently misunderstood as the same technology; nevertheless, they are distinct and have a variety of applications in medicine. According to Allied Market Research, the market for virtual and augmented reality products in healthcare is anticipated to reach $2.4 billion by 2026.
Augmented reality gives the opportunity to add virtual layers and projections to existing material objects. This makes AR-enabled products perfect for many sorts of high-level study. In particular, it’s useful for studying the human body, visualizing particular body parts and treatment processes to patients, and helping doctors while selecting the treatment, preparing for surgery, and predicting the body’s response.
Patients find augmented projections and 3D models to be significantly more interesting and intelligible. Clinicians, for example, can show patients images of their organs or looks before and after surgery, and the same is true for orthodontology and other sectors.
Virtual reality, on the other hand, permits an entirely digital world and enhanced 3D representation for a variety of purposes. Doctors can use virtual simulations to see the distribution of treatment doses, effectively regulate chemical treatment to prevent damage, and improve treatment planning to reduce hazards.
VR has been widely utilized to treat PTSD, anxiety, and to divert sensitive patients from uncomfortable invasive procedures in patients. A Duke University study also found that virtual simulation assisted disabled people suffering from spinal cord injuries in increasing their mobility to a greater extent.
Smart clothing, jewelry and footwear
While smart jewelry like rings and necklaces are nothing brand new, smart clothing is not so common. Impressed by self-adjusting tracking patches? Wait to see clothing pieces with embedded tracking devices in the fibers. Socks, vests, and gloves with sensors are just entry-level development in the realm of smart clothing.
One of the latest projects by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) includes sensitive textiles that can recognize the type of activity a person is doing, analyze postures, and measure other data.
Researchers believe that the greatest potential for using sensory fibers is in athletic activities and rehabilitation, and it is highly likely that the development will become increasingly common among wider audiences in the future.
Health tracking apps and tech development with Glorium
The first step toward developing a customized health tracking application that fulfills industry expectations is to work with a reputable software development company.
Glorium, with over ten years of specific knowledge in health tech solutions, assists medical firms in addressing current difficulties in order to reach the market with exceptional service and custom solutions. Our devoted team assists in nurturing your ideas from inception to launch.
Learn more about our healthcare software and application development solutions today!


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Goal-oriented student wins President's Award
By Craig Brandhorst, email@example.com, 803-777-3681
Sabrina D’Angelo couldn’t make her college graduation. Luckily, she had a pretty good excuse.
On May 8, when the exercise science major should have been walking across the stage at the University of South Carolina’s Colonial Life Arena, she had other goals on her mind — the kind she spent four years preventing as a standout goalkeeper for Carolina’s women’s soccer team.
After being drafted by the National Women’s Soccer League’s Western New York Flash back in January, D’Angelo reported to training camp in March — then had to finish her final course, a class on epidemiology, on the road. On graduation day, the two-time first-team All-American was in Rochester, N.Y., the starting goalkeeper in a game against FC Kansas City.
“I was OK with missing graduation,” she says with a laugh. “My mom wasn’t too OK with it, but my goal has always been to play professional soccer and that’s what I was doing on that day. It’s a sacrifice I was obviously willing to make, and I would make it again and again.”
And anyway, it wasn’t like she didn’t get to enjoy some well-deserved recognition at the end of her college career.
The most decorated student-athlete in Carolina women’s soccer history, D’Angelo was awarded the President’s Award by the University of South Carolina Athletics Department in April. The award recognized her achievements both on the field and off.
“Coming into South Carolina, Jamie and Shelley Smith (assistant and head coach, respectively) had told me about the award, and the goalkeeper who was there before me had won it, as well as past players,” says D’Angelo. “It was kind of always a goal of mine, and it’s a huge honor, but it’s a reflection of the team and how much support I got from them. Plenty of people played into it.”
In addition to coaches Jamie and Shelley Smith and her teammates, D’Angelo credits her strength and conditioning coaches for inspiring her to consider that career path after her playing days are over.
“After I finish playing, I either want to go into coaching or be a strength and conditioning coach, something where I’m able to interact with athletes and where I can help them reach their goals,” she says. “The coaches I had did such a tremendous job helping us achieve our goals, and I want to be able to give back to other athletes.”
In the meantime, though, the Ontario, Canada, native is focused on more immediate goals — winning a championship, making the Canadian national team, eventually competing in the Olympics or the World Cup.
“It’s not college anymore, it’s your job, you have to perform your best every single day,” she says. “But I enjoy pressure, and it’s been exciting being able to start as a rookie.”
And while Mom and Dad may have missed the pomp and circumstance back in Columbia, they have pretty good seats for watching her achieve the rest of her goals.
“Our training facility is only an hour away from our home and then our game facility is only about two hours away,” she says. “So they’re able to come watch me play.”
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Dr Keith Ablow, writing for Fox News, has some thoughts on the impact of our educational system on American culture.
A new analysis of the American Freshman Survey, which has accumulated data for the past 47 years from 9 million young adults, reveals that college students are more likely than ever to call themselves gifted and driven to succeed, even though their test scores and time spent studying are decreasing.
Psychologist Jean Twenge, the lead author of the analysis, is also the author of a study showing that the tendency toward narcissism in students is up 30 percent in the last thirty-odd years.
On Facebook, young people can fool themselves into thinking they have hundreds or thousands of “friends.” They can delete unflattering comments. They can block anyone who disagrees with them or pokes holes in their inflated self-esteem. They can choose to show the world only flattering, sexy or funny photographs of themselves….
Using Twitter, young people can pretend they are worth “following,” as though they have real-life fans, when all that is really happening is the mutual fanning of false love and false fame.
Using computer games, our sons and daughters can pretend they are Olympians, Formula 1 drivers, rock stars or sharpshooters.
On MTV and other networks, young people can see lives just like theirs portrayed on reality TV shows fueled by such incredible self-involvement and self-love that any of the “real-life” characters should really be in psychotherapy to have any chance at anything like a normal life.
…in a dizzying paroxysm of self-aggrandizing hype, town sports leagues across the country hand out ribbons and trophies to losing teams, schools inflate grades,…psychiatrists hand out Adderall like candy.
These are the psychological drugs of the 21st Century….
Sitting apposite these remarks are some thoughts from Thomas Sowell, writing for National Review.
Many years ago, as a young man, I read a very interesting book about the rise of the Communists to power in China. In the last chapter, the author tried to explain why and how this had happened.
Among the factors he cited were the country’s educators.
In the US,
Schools were once thought of as places where a society’s knowledge and experience were passed on to the younger generation. But, about a hundred years ago, Professor John Dewey of Columbia University came up with a very different conception of education—one that has spread through American schools and even influenced education in countries overseas.
John Dewey saw the role of the teacher not as a transmitter of a society’s culture to the young, but as an agent of change—someone strategically placed with an opportunity to condition students to want a different kind of society.
A century later, we are seeing schools across America indoctrinating students to believe in all sorts of politically correct notions. The history that is taught in too many of our schools is a history that emphasizes everything that has gone bad, or can be made to look bad, in America—and that gives little, if any, attention to the great achievements of this country.
This misuse of schools to undermine one’s own society is not something confined to the United States or even to our own time. It is common in Western countries for educators, the media, and the intelligentsia in general to single out Western civilization for special condemnation for sins that have been common to the human race, in all parts of the world, for thousands of years.
Even in the face of mortal dangers, political correctness forbids us to use words like “terrorist” when the approved euphemism is “militant.” Milder terms such as “illegal alien” likewise cannot pass the political-correctness test, so it must be replaced by another euphemism, “undocumented worker.”
Some think that we must tiptoe around in our own country, lest some foreigners living here or visiting here be offended by the sight of an American flag or a Christmas tree in some institutions.
With this potential outcome:
American schools today are similarly undermining American society as one unworthy of defending, either domestically or internationally. If there were nuclear attacks on American cities, how long would it take for us to surrender, even if we had nuclear superiority—but were not as willing to die as our enemies were?
Think that last is apocalyptic? Recall Majority Leader Harry Reid (D, NV), Senators Barack Obama (D, IL) and Dennis Kucinich (D, OH), then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), et al., all begging for surrender at the point of victory as the 2007 surge in the Iraq war was announced.
These problems, and their outcomes, are not unrelated.
Increasingly, we parents aren’t doing our jobs of participating in, and ensuring the quality of, our children’s education. But at this late remove, we parents need to do more. We need to take outright control of our education systems—K-12 and college/university—back from the administrators and “educators” who have so strong a disdain for American greatness, who elide the things our nation—the people of our nation—have accomplished.
Indeed, our accomplishments, our greatness, are easily measured, by those who actually attend to our history, not only domestically in terms of individual liberty, responsibility, and prosperity achieved, but also globally in the treasure—both in terms of our fisc and our blood—we’ve spent so that other peoples also can have an opportunity to achieve their own individual liberty, responsibility, and prosperity. And in the individual liberty, responsibility, and prosperity actually achieved by those we’ve helped.
These, and a justifiable pride—measured in those actual accomplishments in the real world—in ourselves and our nation must be restored to our education. Our national security—our national survival—requires it.
But there’s another factor that underlies all of this, and our national security—our national survival—depends on this, too. We parents must retake control over the environment in which our children exist as children—our homes. They spend a third of their lives exclusively in our homes and their (our) friends’ homes and yards and playgrounds even before they start school, and they spend the remaining two-thirds there outside school hours.
When was the last time we read with (not to) our kids, talked with (not at) our kids, goofed around with them—all without the TV, the game boxes, the laptops and smartphones with their overused and overhyped “social” media? When was the last time all of you—kids and parents—sat at the table and ate dinner (or breakfast) at the same time? And talked about the day’s events (yours and your kids’, as well as the news), or about anything at all?