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How Vodka Shaped The Course Of Russian History
The surprising ways in which the "water of life" has helped determine Russia's religious, political, and economic fate for hundreds of years.
ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty ImagesRussians look at the different kinds of vodka sold in a street kiosk in Moscow.
In 1223, when a Mongol and Tartar expeditionary force annihilated a Russian army multiple times their size, they realized it was partly because the Russians had charged the battlefield drunk.
Taking no sympathy for their drunken conquered, the Mongols took dozens of princes and lords and rolled them up in rugs, which sat beneath a table used for a massive banquet.
The Mongols, who enjoyed a good drink themselves, had zero sympathy for the Russian royals. They took dozens of princes and lords and rolled them up into rugs. Then, placing planks of wood on top, they set up a banquet table above them fit for hundreds.
Their screams and groans punctuated the Mongol's celebration feast until the last Russian departed from hangover to hell itself.
This would not be the last time alcohol shaped political outcomes, or the actions of the Russian state. In fact, the Kremlin is built upon a land and history soaked through with vodka.
And when you look at the numbers, it's not that hard to see why: Among all the world's countries, Russia currently ranks fourth in alcohol consumption, according to the World Health Organization, with the top three all Russia's neighbors and former Soviet republics.
And as author Mark Schrad lays out in Vodka Politics: Alcohol, Autocracy, and the Secret History of the Russian State, alcohol — vodka in particular — has time and again proven to be a pivotal force in sculpting Russian religion, society, politics, and economics.
Alcohol Helped Decide Russia's Official Religion
Wikimedia CommonsSadko in the Underwater Kingdom by Ilya Repin, 1876. This famous painting depicts a symbolic scene from the Russian epic Bylina in which Sadko (right) rejects a pagan bride (front left) offered to him.
Fed up with paganism by the end of the 10th century, Vladimir the Great went about determining the religion to which his people, living in what is now western Russia, should convert.
So, he sent envoys out to research neighboring states and invited religious representatives to his palace.
Vladimir immediately struck down Judaism, and considered Islam next. However, he didn't like that the religion prescribed circumcision, and that it forbade pork and, most of all, alcohol.
And when his envoys reported there was no joy among the alcohol-less Muslim Bulgarians, he famously said — in words that are better remembered in Russia than most other historical moments and achievements even today — "Drinking is the joy of the Rus."
In the end, Vladimir ended up going with the most festive religion he could find: The Eastern Orthodox Church (the Germans' version of Christianity had been too gloomy).
"We no longer knew whether we were in heaven or on earth, nor such beauty, and we know not how to tell of it," his emissaries reported back after traveling to the Hagia Sophia church in Turkey during an Orthodox festival.
Vladimir was sold. And to this day, the last vestige of the Orthodox Church lies with Russia.
It's Easier To Rule If All Of Your Opposition Is Drunk
Wikimedia CommonsIvan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1581 by Ilya Repin, 1885. Ivan was the first Russian leader to truly use alcohol to his advantage.
Legend has it that Kremlin monks first distilled vodka in the late 15th century. However, historians widely consider this to be a myth; it's just too rich that vodka would be invented in the Kremlin, the very seat of Russian power.
The Kremlin — a castle-palace compound nestled in the heart of Moscow — remains the seat of Russian power today, and the name of the Chudov Monastery, the place where vodka was supposedly invented, translates to "miraculous."
What's more, vodka gained a certain spiritual credibility because, as the story goes, it was invented by monks, men of God. There's a reason that Russians initially referred to vodka as "aqua vitae," or water of life.
For centuries after its invention, this water of life was a major player in the highest levels of Russian government.
Ivan the Terrible was the first Russian leader to harness the power of vodka. He created government-run taverns to serve the drink and funnel the entirety of the profits into his coffers. By 1648, a third of the country's adult male population was in debt to these state pubs.
Not only did this fund Ivan's warmongering, but — unlike the United States — the state-run pubs stifled public revolt. America's founders, for example, hashed out much of the Revolutionary War in candlelit pubs. In Russia, however, government barmen would instead lead toasts to the tsar's good health, with patrons raising their drinks to the royal portrait hanging on the wall.
Furthermore, Ivan kept his own royal court (and often himself) constantly inebriated in order to quash dissent. Ivan took this drinking to the extreme after his wife suddenly died, which plunged him into a deep, lonely depression filled with drunkenness and brutality.
According to French historian Henri Troyat, as Ivan's armies expanded Russian borders from afar, Ivan turned his court into a pit of torture, drunken debauchery, and demented prayer. He writes:
"The spurts of blood, the cracking of bones, the screams and rattles of drooling mouths — this rough cookery smelling of pus, excrement, sweat, and burnt flesh was pleasing to his nostrils. He took such joy in the bloodbath that he had no doubt, in these moments of horror and ecstasy, that the Lord was at his side… To him, prayer and torture were but two aspects of piety."
Vodka Fueled The Rise And Fall Of The Tsars
Library of CongressThe former Tsar Nicholas II, showing him at Tsarskoye Selo after his abdication in March 1917.
As Russian leaders came and went, one thing remained constant: Alcohol revenues. At the 19th century height of Russia's royal empire, revenue from alcohol and accompanying taxes accounted for more than a third of the country's entire operating budget, enough to maintain the largest standing army in Europe.
And while harnessing alcohol's revenue potential allowed Russia to fund its expansion, the empire became dependent on those profits.
In order to maximize revenue, the royal family auctioned the regional rights to sell vodka to the highest bidder, allowing total monopolies to develop piecemeal countrywide and essentially creating a country of vodka-fueled fiefdoms.
Higher-ups looked the other way when this system began to froth with abuse; as long as the vodka profits, or bribes, made their way back to Moscow, corrupt local governments could operate with a certain degree of impunity.
This system was perhaps never stronger than it was under the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, who ordered the construction of more than 100 distilleries. A rise in alcohol consumption soon followed this dramatic rise in production: By the time World War I started in 1914, your average Russian was drinking 14 liters of pure alcohol every year.
It should come as little surprise then that the destruction of the tsarist empire with the Russian Revolution coincided with an attempt by Nicholas II to force temperance on the Russian population. Indeed, the prohibition of vodka went hand-in-hand with the 1917 revolution.
The Stalinist Drunkards In Power, And The Cracks In The Iron Curtain
OFF/AFP/Getty ImagesFrom left, German Nazi Foreign Minister Joachim Von Ribbentrop, German Under State Secretary Friedrich Gaus, Soviet head of state Joseph Stalin, and his Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov pose in 1939 at the Kremlin after signing the Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact. After the ceremony, Stalin proposed a toast: "I know how much the German people love their Fuehrer. I should therefore like to drink to his health."
When a Nazi delegation paid a visit to Joseph Stalin, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Hitler's foreign minister, reported that the drinks were "so potent it almost took your breath away." Once he pulled Stalin aside to express "admiration for Russian throats compared with those of us Germans," Stalin chuckled, revealing a cup full of Crimean wine.
Stalin employed this strategy — get guests drunk while remaining relatively sober — with his underlings as well. Over time, Stalin became notorious for hosting dinner parties where ministers felt compelled to drink excessively into the night.
Of course, Stalin did so at least in some respects for the fun of it. But he also did it to keep anyone capable of threatening Stalin's power inebriated and therefore incapable of defying him. Ministers would barely be able to work the next day, and midday naps were a necessity — they had another night of forced heavy drinking to look forward to.
The USSR under Stalin maintained the same sort of monopolies on vodka as the tsars, and Stalin encouraged his citizens to drink government vodka in order to prevent national bankruptcy. As Stalin saw it, vodka kept the Russians drunk, divided, and unable to pose any serious threat to his rule.
Vodka also helped Stalin develop a friend in Winston Churchill. A heavy drinker himself, Churchill abhorred communism until Stalin invited him over for a private banquet in 1942. They drank into the night, forming the foundation of the Allied partnership that took down the Third Reich.
Still, alcohol continued to trouble Russia over the long-term. Tsarist or Communist, no form of power seemed capable — or willing — to address the numerous health problems vodka imposed on residents.
Eventually, Mikhail Gorbachev attempted to remedy this deleterious relationship Russians had developed with vodka. In 1985, Gorbachev reigned in alcohol consumption by making distilleries produce fruit juice and mineral water instead of vodka.
As a result, alcohol prices skyrocketed, and both vodka sales and government revenues plummeted. For a short while, however, Gorbachev's plan worked: The average life expectancy for a Russian man briefly increased by three years, from 62 to 65.
As happens when the state prohibits just about anything, however, vodka seekers began to sell and purchase their booze via the black market. Life expectancy fell again, and Gorbachev's efforts were for naught.
To make matters worse, even though Russians kept drinking, the government no longer received any revenue from it. Vodka revenues had made up 20 percent of the country's budget, and Gorbachev's alcohol cutbacks contributed to the destruction of the Soviet economy. Soon enough, the USSR collapsed — and as with many other critical moments in Russian history, alcohol may have played a significant role in that.
And so Gorbachev, the last Soviet general secretary, fell into the same trap as the last tsar of the Russian empire. Both tried to fight the Russian thirst by imposing temperance, and both were ousted as their country fell to pieces.
Which brings us to Vladimir Putin, who picked up those pieces and put Russia back together.
Vladimir Putin's Vodka Politics And Russia's Future
OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty ImagesPatrons watch broadcast of President Vladimir Putin's annual press conference in a vodka bar in Saint-Petersburg on December 19, 2013.
In 1994, three years after Gorbachev's fall from power, Russia lost 55,000 people to alcohol and male life expectancy cratered at 57.6.
Furthermore, health studies found that Russia's vodka problem caused more than half of all premature deaths in the 1990s. Even today, Russians have a one-in-four chance of dying from an alcohol-related issue.
All of this has contributed to a demographic crisis that current Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the "the most acute problem facing our country today."
In response, Putin introduced alcohol policy reforms in 2006 that imposed tighter regulations on the production and sale of alcohol. While changing tastes and economic fluctuations may have also had a major hand in lowering the Russians' appreciation for vodka, Putin's regulations may have worked: Vodka consumption fell by a third and lowered the risk of death before 55 as well.
David Zaridze, of the Russian Cancer Research Center in Moscow, told Reuters that, "The significant decline in Russian mortality rates following the introduction of moderate alcohol controls in 2006 demonstrates the reversibility [of the public health problem]."
He went on to add that although the relationship between vodka and deaths still constituted a "health crisis" for Russia, "people who drink spirits in hazardous ways greatly reduce their risk of premature death as soon as they stop."
In 2009, Putin built on his 2006 measures by outlining a dramatic plan to halve alcohol consumption within the ensuing decade.
Still, with continued global sanctions and plummeting oil revenues, the Russian economy could see a short-term boost if it made another push for vodka sales. But who knows, perhaps a Trump presidency could make it such that Putin doesn't need to rely on vodka addiction to make Russia great again.
Next, check out what happened when Russia went without vodka for a day, as well as some vintage Soviet anti-alcoholism propaganda, before seeing this map that ranks all the world's countries in terms of alcohol consumption.
Killer Whales Take Turns Eating Shark Alive In Drone Video
Russian Deep Sea Fisherman Shares Photos Of His Most Bizarre Discoveries


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We're not all perfect, are we?
The truth is, it's often the small things that make all the difference. The world is full of talented people, and it's more likely your attitude that will be the deciding factor, rather than your aptitude.
Here are ten bad habits that could be holding you back from getting the promotion you desperately want.
There is a big difference between arrogance and confidence; one builds trust, the other can very quickly destroy it. Bragging just makes you look arrogant, someone who wants to claim all the credit for themselves. Leadership is just as much a team role as is a team member, and being a braggart makes you look more like a lone-wolf than either a team member or leader.
Share the credit with your teammates, and if you have to brag, brag about the team rather than your contribution.
Leadership defines culture, and no company wants a culture of tardiness. You might think that no one notices, but you'd be wrong. People spot these types of things very quickly, especially if they are persistent.
You may even find that people joke about it behind your back.
Just like being late for work, I am sure you feel like you have a valid excuse for being late for the meeting, but it doesn't matter.
Showing up late to meetings shows disrespect to your colleagues, and also if it's their meeting, disrespect to your boss.
Do you really think your boss would promote someone who openly disrespects them?
Punctuality shows respect and creates respect. It shows that you value people's time and that you can be relied upon.
As a leader, one of your key roles is going to be creating a positive atmosphere and building confidence in your teams.
Complaining does exactly the opposite. Complaining shows and breeds negativity, it can bring down the morale of a team. Most companies don't want negative people on their teams, let alone running one.
Be a font of positivity, don't go overboard, but do eliminate any negativity.
My dad always said to me, "if you want to get the part you have to look the part."
How many bosses do you see that have poor grooming or hygiene?
It's true that not everyone wears a suit, or has perfectly quaffed hair, but there are very very few who look like the spent the night sleeping in their clothes either.
Reliability and dependability are two key leadership qualities, and you don't show either of those when you "throw a sickie."
Being ill is unfortunate, but if people know that you're just skipping off, it will become a bad mark that can be difficult to erase. It can also make you unpopular with colleagues who have to pick up the slack, and it's difficult to promote unpopular people.
I remember a colleague of my wife who called in sick because his grandmother died and he needed to attend the funeral in Italy.
Over the course of 2-years, he had three grandmothers die.
It wouldn't have been too noticeable if his other grandma hadn't been known by many of his teammates and was actually still alive!!!
Employee engagement is a challenge with the current surveys showing that only around 30 percent of staff are engaged. Not paying attention, fiddling with your phone or your laptop in meetings is a dead giveaway. As leaders need to create engaged teams, no one is going to promote someone who doesn't seem engaged themselves.
Don't just show up to a meeting on time, but participate.
Be engaged and engaging. It will help make you stand out.
Listening to people, hearing them out shows that you value their input. It shows that you respect their point of view, it doesn't necessarily mean that you agree with them, but it is respectful.
Interrupting people is the complete opposite, it's not only disrespectful it can be downright rude, and those are not qualities that people are looking for managers.
You might think it's cool to swear. To throw and odd curse word in here and there, but you would be surprised at how many people get turned off by that. Yes, it happens on TV all the time, maybe some of your current bosses and colleagues do it, but there are still many who don't appreciate it.
Being knowledgeable is a great quality for a boss, but being a 'know all' well that's a completely different thing. This comes off as arrogant and mentioned before, arrogance is not the same and confidence. In fact, it can come across as a lack of self-confidence, making you look like you need to prove yourself all the time.
Give others the chance to shine, don't hog the spotlight.
Yes you need to stand out but not every day and not on every topic.
Competition for promotions is tough. Your talents will get you noticed and give you a chance.
But if you can avoid these bad ten habits you will show that you have the attitude to go with the attitude which will significantly increase your chances of landing that promotion.


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Councilmember, District 3, Roland Barrera
Roland Barrera serves as Councilmember representing District 3. See all City Council Members »
4, 15*, 16*, 20, 24, 32, 34, 70, 71, 74, 78, 80, 93, 95, 98, 106, 112, 113, 114*, 118, 119, 121
Roland Barrera provides consulting and risk management services to individuals, business owners and public agencies. He has been serving clients with insurance, financial services and employee benefits for over 25 years. His agency has been recognized by the National Association of Health Underwriters as a Distinguished Member of the Leading Producers Round Table.
Roland has been actively involved in Texas politics for many years and has been a strong advocate for small business, insurance issues, children's issues, public transportation and immigration reform. He was elected to the Corpus Christi City Council serving District 3 in 2018.
Roland serves as Board Member for the National Association of Health Underwriters Political Action Committee and as a board member of Texas Bridge Credit Union. In his career, Roland has served as Chair of several committees, including the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), the Insurance and Financial Advisors Political Action Committee for Texas, and the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce. He was also President of the Coastal Bend Children's Advocacy Center and President of the Corpus Christi Kiwanis Club. Roland is a graduate of the Leadership Corpus Christi Program (Class XL).
Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Roland is a Moody High School Alumnus and a Del Mar College Alumnus. He is the proud parent of three grown children, Richard, Amber, Zach and grandfather to Ella Rae and Atlas James Rosales. He is a parishioner of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church where he sings in the choir.
Email: Roland.Barrera@cctexas.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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PIXMA MG7720 Wireless Inkjet all-in-one offers extremely high picture quality for inkjet multifunction printer and a very good connectivity, with Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and NFC. Prints, scans, and copies. Duplexer. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, the NFC, and Canon's equivalent of Wi-Fi direct. High-quality output with top quality photos for standard inkjet MFP in testing. Quite a fast photo printing on our tests.
Canon PIXMA MG7720 has a total of six individual ink tanks including the cool gray inks that provide extended color gamut and enriched magenta and photo black inks that produce stunning photos and documents. This is the perfect wireless all-in-one printer is easy to use and produces superior quality in the photos and documents.


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All the single ladies--and their doormen
January 6, 2011 - 12:17pm
By Teri Karush Rogers
Young, single, female apartment dwellers often complain about doormen who seem a little too interested in their comings and goings, particularly when guests of the opposite sex are involved. But in a recent essay, NY Times 'Big City' columnist Susan Dominus reveals that she did not exactly chafe under the supervision of her former doormen-slash-elevator-operators.
Instead, she describes with eloquent precision the tangible and intangible support served up by the staff of the Murray Hill apartment building that she, along with dozens of other single women in their studio abodes, called home in her pre-married late 20s. Of the staff, for which Dominus says she spent about a day each year choosing and inscribing cash-stuffed holiday cards, she recalls:
"If I had a jar I could not open, I buzzed for the elevator. If my toaster oven caught on fire, I buzzed for the elevator. If I had an early flight, I would ask Matthew to ring my apartment door at 4 or 5, a more welcome waking than a clock. And when I came rushing back to my apartment the morning of 9/11, it was Robert who took me to the roof, against building rules, so we could stare, with our own unbelieving eyes, at what had happened.....
I never confided in the men who worked in the building, nor did they confide in me. But they provided a steady reassurance that made my arrival feel like a homecoming, instead of an arrival home. In return, I gave them notes at Christmas that thanked them, but not for the right things, which would have embarrassed us all. And, of course, I tipped them."
(NY Times)
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I once heard Heidi say that she has mane cuff links. I love my bracelets and bangles but I also love cuff links. A pair of Heidi cuff links would top my collection!!! Come on Heidi I know you can do it!!
Welcome to the forums nonina! If you go to her website you will find cufflinks.


"Just run around, spend, spend, do what he want. So there's no urgency—to anything."
50 Cent appeared on Power 105.1 today and came to the Breakfast Club with some breaking news. TMT Promotions, the latest and greatest boxing promotional company to hit the scene in many a moon, is alive and well. 50's relationship with his former partner Floyd Mayweather is not.
During today's interview 50 Cent did admit that he is forming a new promotional venture with none other than Manny Pacquiao. That's no typo. 50 Cent, Manny Pacquiao and Manny's advisor Michael Koncz are joining forces to launch a promotional company. It will be called TMT Promotions.
When asked how Floyd was taking the news, 50 Cent said, "Well, Floyd is a friend of mine. I look at Floyd like he's my little brother. He earns so much that he just spend it. Just run around, spend, spend, do what he want. So there's no urgency—to anything. And then when communication breaks and it starts not to be…" 50 Cent's words trailed off. He decided he had said enough.
50 Cent was asked if Floyd would be upset that he was joining forces with Pacquiao.
There are many lines to read between. There were rumors concerning a certain shapely third party that may or may not be true. 50 Cent is smart. He is playing his cards close to the vest.
The hosts of Power 105.1 were able to sneak in a final question. They asked if Floyd was acting any different since he got out of jail.
This is all a setup to sell the fight. 50 did the same thing with Kanye West and acted like they had beef when both of their albums were dropping. Both of them made millions. 50 just recently admitted it was a setup with Kanye, same goes here. These guys are smart business men.
"Bedfellows"? That really is strange…stranger than fiction or even Freddie Mills!
These guys are acting like a bunch of spoiled asswipes instead of businessmen. Makes me want to puke.
Fiddy wants to make money and it sounds like he's a little tired of watching his little brother WASTE money. He's a businessman not a betting, wasting, rainmaking man like his so-called partner.


A few posts back I pointed out that I rarely write on purely political issues. I never write on sports related topics, because this is a blog on issues related to theology, and also because so few people share my brilliance in sports conversations that it would be embarrassing if I did so (joke!). Alas, most rules are made to be broken, and I find myself beside myself with frustration approaching apocalyptic proportions, so I figured I had better get this post out of my system.
As I write this the NBA finals are in progress, and so is a debate regarding who is the greatest of all time (GOAT) in the history of the National Basketball Association. During football season the same debate occurs, so it is not a malady that is restricted to the NBA. I find these debates inane, insane, vacuous, foolish, asinine, absurd, frivolous, fatuous – my thesaurus fails me. They are ridiculous. I make that conclusion based on three indisputable facts: (1) the overwhelming majority of those engaged in such debates are barely out of their second decade of life. Their "all time" basically amounts to what has occurred since the early 2000's. (2) The players they think are the GOAT are playing now – duh. It is just "Chronological Snobbery" on steroids. It if is today it has to be the GOAT, there is no yesterday in these yokel's life. That leads me to (3), these mouthpieces and their loyal minions have absolutely no sense of sports history – or of history at all, for that matter. Here is where the entire conversation breaks down because of its utter, complete, and total, absurdity, vapidity, and idiocy.
Before 1954 there was no shot clock.
Before 1951 the free-throw lane was 6 feet wide. In '51 it was widened to 12 feet, and then in 1964 it was widened again to 16 feet because of the dominance of Wilt Chamberlain.
In 1978 the officiating crews were increased from 2 to 3 officials. The number was then reduced back to two, and a few years later increased back to three.
In 1979 the three point line was introduced. It's furthest point has varied between 23 feet 9 inches and 22 feet (the furthest it can realistically be placed in the corners of the court).
Before 2001 defenses had to play man-to-man defense, and a variety of rules regulated illegal defenses. In 2001 those restrictions were completely eliminated.
For some fascinating reading, check out double u double u double u dot NBA dot come slash analysis slash rules underscore history dot html.
The point is, a player in 1979 was awarded three points for the exact same shot he would have been awarded two points for just a few months earlier. Jordan and James are both the beneficiaries of a wide-open, perimeter game that did not exist prior to the three-point line being introduced. Players prior to 1954 were schooled in the "get ahead and ice the game" theory of winning games – after 1954 the pace of the game has increased, and with it the opportunities to score greater and greater number of points. The number of referees clearly has an impact on the game – those who played with two refs played a different game than those who have played with three refs. In terms of rule changes, eliminating the "illegal defense" penalty was huge. Once again – to compare offensive statistics today to those of decades past is to compare apples to oranges. And, for my coup de grace, one single player was responsible for adding four feet to the width of the free throw lane – the afore mentioned Wilt Chamberlain.
Michael Jordan did not change the game. There will never be a "LeBron James" rule – well, except that players favored by the NBA/ESPN will never be officiated equally with the hoi poloi, the common masses. Wilt Chamberlain changed the game. "Dr. J." Julius Erving changed the game with his unequaled athleticism. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson changed the game in a way that has had a profound impact for Jordan and James – moving the game from the post to the perimeter. All of this is lost in all the chatter about points and championships and blather, blather, blather.
Space does not allow an equal examination of the NFL, but let us just consider a couple of questions: do you honestly think Tom Brady or Drew Brees would have the kind of numbers they have if they had to play with the same rules that governed the game when Fran Tarkenton or Roger Staubach played? Or just reverse the question – what kind of numbers could Staubach or Tarkenton or Terry Bradshaw or Kenny Stabler have produced if they had played with the same kind of receiver friendly, "don't touch the quarterback" kind of rules that benefit today's tutu wearing prima-donnas? I rest my case before I am thrown out of court for my obvious contempt for that very same court.
Before I get too far astray with sports, let me ask, is there a connection to theology here? Yes, and I'm glad I asked. The same incomprehensible lack of knowledge of, and even interest in, matters of church history is plaguing the church today. It it was said, or written, before, say, 1980 (just to be generous) whatever was said or written is bunk, garbage, worthless. I received my D.Min. in 2015, and the method of church growth that was the front burner issue for my classmates is now considered to be passé. The great theologians of the church are not just ignored, they are openly scoffed at – oh, the humanity!
My point, so brilliantly illustrated (by the facts themselves, not by me) by the GOAT debates in the NBA and NFL, is that without a firm knowledge of, and even a love for, our history, we make some of the dumbest, stupidest, most vacuous and ridiculous statements. We live in the present – to be sure there is no going back – but our present was created by the past. To argue in sports who is the greatest of one generation – that has some merit, as long as the rules of the game are the same and each "contestant" has had the same limitations/benefits as the others. So, to argue whether Jordan was better than James is a legitimate debate as is if Brady is better than Brees or Rodgers. But to argue who is the greatest of all time? Oy. Beam me up Scotty, there is no intelligent life on this planet.
In the church, we cannot return to a glorious "golden decade" or century or whatever, because one never existed in the first place. We do not have to fight the same battles our forefathers (and mothers) fought, nor could they have imagined the battles we must fight. If we try to keep fighting battles that were done and over with decades (or centuries) ago, we are only wasting our time. If we do not address the issues facing the church to day – well, who will?
If we know our history, at least we will not be stupid enough to waste our time with debates about the GOAT.
Sports rant over, hopefully for ever. We now return this blog to its original intended purpose.


Mold candy dome halves. Melt red and black Candy Melts candy, separately, according to package directions. Use melted red candy and largest (2.6 in.) cavity in dessert dome mold to make one dome half for each treat. Chill until firm, 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat to make one black dome half for each treat. Reserve remaining candy.
Make candy base and ears. Place medium Cut-Out from rounds Cut-Outs fondant cutters on 11 in. x 7 in. x 1.5 in. non-stick biscuit/brownie pan. For base, use reserved melted red candy to fill Cut-Out 1/4 in. deep. Chill until firm, 10 to 15 minutes. For ears, use reserved melted black candy to fill medium Cut-Out 1/8 in. deep. Chill until firm, 10 to 15 minutes.
Use knife to trim a curved section off each ear to conform to black dome shape. Use matching color melted candy in cut parchment bag to attach red dome to base and ears to black dome. Chill until firm, 3 to 5 minutes.
Make candy buttons. Melt white Candy Melts candy according to package directions. Use melted candy in cut parchment bag to pipe puddle dots. 1/2 in. dia. on parchment paper-covered cake board. Chill until firm, 10 to 15 minutes. Turn puddle dots flat side up. Use melted white candy in cut parchment bag to pipe an outline around edge and two stitch lines. Chill until firm, 3 to 5 minutes. Use melted candy in cut parchment bag to attach to red dome, 1/4 in. from open edge.
Assemble treats. Fill red dome half with candy coated chocolates. Position Mickey Mouse icing decoration. Position black dome on red dome.


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Q: Allow element to be from one complexType AND/OR another I have a an element tag which has a complex type consisting of name, operator and value;
where name is one of "GENRE", "ALBUM" or "ARTIST" (simplified) and should allow the following operators: "EQ" (equals), "CS" (contains) or "SW" (startsWith) (simplified).
Now there is the tag with name "YEAR" which has integer value, not String as all others and should therefor be allowed only the operators "LT" (less) and "GT" (greater) (simplified).
I am not able to build this conditions into my existing XSD, as it is not allowed to have more than one complexType within one element. So I can catch collisions at first when processing them in my java routines which is a bit late. I want the XML-Validator to "cry out" the misformed XML as early as possible.
Here is an extract of my XSD schema:
<xs:element name="tags" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="1">
    <xs:complexType>
        <xs:sequence>
            <xs:element name="tag" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="unbounded">
                <xs:complexType>
                    <xs:sequence minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="unbounded">
                        <xs:element name="name" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1">
                            <xs:simpleType>
                                <xs:restriction base="xs:string">
                                    <xs:enumeration value="PLAYLISTS" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="GENRE" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="ALBUM" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="ARTIST" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="ALBUM_ARTIST" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="YEAR" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="TITLE" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="COMMENT" />
                                </xs:restriction>
                            </xs:simpleType>
                        </xs:element>
                        <xs:element name="operator" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1">
                            <xs:simpleType>
                                <xs:restriction base="xs:string">
                                    <xs:enumeration value="EQ" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="CS" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="SW" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="EW" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="LT" />
                                    <xs:enumeration value="GT" />
                                </xs:restriction>
                            </xs:simpleType>
                        </xs:element>
                        <xs:element type="xs:string" name="value" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1" />
                    </xs:sequence>
                </xs:complexType>
            </xs:element>
        </xs:sequence>
    </xs:complexType>
</xs:element>

Here is a sample extract of a XML, where the first two tag-elements should be valid, and the last ones should NOT be valid. Because an integer-operator was used for a String-value respectively a string-operator was used for an int-value.
<tags>
    <tag>
        <name>ALBUM</name>
        <operator>CS</operator>
        <value>The</value>
    </tag>
    <tag>
        <name>YEAR</name>
        <operator>LT</operator>
        <value>2010</value>
    </tag>
    <tag>
        <name>ALBUM</name>
        <operator>GT</operator>
        <value>The</value>
    </tag>
    <tag>
        <name>YEAR</name>
        <operator>CS</operator>
        <value>2010</value>
    </tag>
</tags>

I hope my problem is understandable for you and you can help me out with a suitable solution - thanks in advance!

A: You should know that you can only realize this with XSD-1.1, because the xs:assert function is needed. So, to restrict your tag elements with a name child with the value YEAR, you have to set this restriction after the corresponding </xs:sequence> element of your <tag> definition:
<xs:assert test="name!='YEAR' or (name='YEAR' and value castable as xs:integer and (operator='LT' or operator='GT'))" />

This assertion restricts your <tag> elements to those whose <name> child doesn't have a value of "YEAR", and those whose <name> child does have a value of "YEAR" and a <value> of the type xs:integer and an <operator> child of the value "LT" or "GT". Be careful with the AND/OR in this case, because the assertion needs to be TRUE for all <tag>s, hence the or.
Your complete XSD file could look like this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<xs:schema xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" version="1.1">
    <xs:element name="tags">
        <xs:complexType>
            <xs:sequence>
                <xs:element name="tag" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="unbounded">
                    <xs:complexType>
                        <xs:sequence minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="unbounded">
                            <xs:element name="name" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1">
                                <xs:simpleType>
                                    <xs:restriction base="xs:string">
                                        <xs:enumeration value="PLAYLISTS" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="GENRE" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="ALBUM" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="ARTIST" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="ALBUM_ARTIST" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="YEAR" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="TITLE" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="COMMENT" />
                                    </xs:restriction>
                                </xs:simpleType>
                            </xs:element>
                            <xs:element name="operator" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1">
                                <xs:simpleType>
                                    <xs:restriction base="xs:string">
                                        <xs:enumeration value="EQ" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="CS" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="SW" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="EW" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="LT" />
                                        <xs:enumeration value="GT" />
                                    </xs:restriction>
                                </xs:simpleType>
                            </xs:element>
                            <xs:element type="xs:string" name="value" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1" />
                        </xs:sequence>
                        <xs:assert test="name!='YEAR' or (name='YEAR' and value castable as xs:integer and (operator='LT' or operator='GT'))" />
                    </xs:complexType>
                </xs:element>
            </xs:sequence>
        </xs:complexType>
    </xs:element>
</xs:schema>

Another way of restricting the <tag> elements is
<xs:assert test="(name!='YEAR' and (operator!='LT' or operator!='GT')) or (name='YEAR' and value castable as xs:integer and (operator='LT' or operator='GT'))" />

It also excludes the operators LT and GT from all elements except YEAR.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


(Montenegro) Let me try a difficult route.
There are beautiful bay and mount in Montenegro. I've always tried to choose easy route. But this time I want to try a difficult one.
Although I crossed the Croatian border, I have to cycle more to reach to the Immigration of Montenegro. There are many special trees.
It is very unique scenery because of tall trees.
Today the weather is too hot that my helmet is getting hotter and hotter. I am wondering how I can cycle with this weather.
I am bored while waiting, so I start finding fun to kill my time. To smell flowers and to see the trees closely are really good for it. This flower has some unique smell.
There is a bay at the west in Montenegro. It is very flat around the bay and there are many beaches.
The bay is surrounded by mountains.
There are two old buildings on the middle of bay.
Tomorrow I have to climb that mount. Hahaha.
Thanks to the sun, I can see beautiful color sea.
Around this twon, there are many travelers.
Before the sunset, I stop at a half of bay. I was thinking about to make a round trip. But I decide to cycle only on a half way and head to the mount tomorrow.
After being denied three times, I got a permission to set up my tent at a local people's house. They offer me a cold watermelon.
The sunset is so beautiful that I can feel my deep sadness.
There are three ways to go to Podgorica.
Plan A : Start from 0 m to 1,100 m (3,608 ft) above the sea level. After one mount, come down to the capital.
Plan B : Start from 0 to 1,100 m (3,608 ft) above the sea level. After that, turn right and head to 1,400 m (4,593 ft). Then come down to the capital.
Plan C : Go to the near the sea, pass one mount, and head to the capital.
I asked the worker in a gas station. He said I must not cycle on the mount near the bay, because it is too hard. He said I should go to Budva.
But I want to try the hardest one. In the morning, I start cycling on steep uphill. After 40 minutes, I sweat lot, because the sun goes up. While wiping my sweat, I realize I left my helmet at a local people's house. Actually I need a new helmet. But anyway I do not want to lose my stuff like this.
So I decide to go back. It takes only 5 minutes downhill. I start cycling again on the same uphill. But this time it takes only 20 minutes, because I don't stop, but work hard. Hahaha.
The sun rises and it gets hotter and hotter.
It is bay of Kotor in Montenegro. It reminds me of Croatian's bay which I had seen almost every day before and which I miss so much now.
It is surrounded by the high mountain.
To cycle here is not much hard because there are so many interesting plants I can see while moving slowly.
I cycle slowly and stop many times.
The scenery is so beautiful. It is zigzag road. There is the number written at every end of zigzag. The number I saw at the last was 25. It means there are 25 zigzags.
I can see a wide view as closing to the first top.
The view is from 1,100 m (3,608 ft) above the sea level.
It is the photo for congratulating of 28,000 km. I asked other traveler, but the photo was not good. So, I decided to use my tripod and took the picture by myself.
I stop so many times not only because of hard uphill, but also because of beautiful view. It is so good espresso with beautiful view.
There is one big cave in which birds make houses.
Now I am on 1,100 m (3,608 ft) above the sea level. I can go down to my destination. But as my first plan, I will cycle until 1,400 m (4,593 ft) above the sea level. The weather is too hot that my helmet and water get hot. And the hill is much steeper. I stop under the tree and have lunch.
Why do I cycle harder now? I don't know. Just I want to try for challenging.
There is no any special sign for the top of 1,400 m (4,593 ft), because it is not a touristic place. I only realize I passed the top when I start to cycle on a downhill.
At the beginning, there is a long downhill, but after Cetinje, there are a few uphill. I feel so proud of myself this time. I had always tried to find the easiest road. But this time I chose the most difficult road and I succeeded it. I want to give myself some gift!
My host in Milano introduced me his friend in the capital of Montenegro. I really thank to all of them!! My host and her family are so generous and kind to me in Montenegro.
Always I am busy with checking my gears and bicycle, writing on my blog, and checking information of the next route and attractions when I stop.
The first thing I do is to fix my broken ortlieb bag. It is really important part, but unfortunately it was broken. I use strong glue, but I am not sure how long it will last.
The front is also a bit torn, but I use a patch which I've got from the Ortlieb company for free.
One spoke was broken maybe four days ago, but I didn't fix it. I just kept cycling with this it. I decide to fix by myself today. The day is too hot, so I sweat a lot. I have a special tool to take off a cassette, but I don't have an extra chain to hold my cassette.
I decide to use my main chain, but I fail to take off. My host kindly finds a bicycle shop for me. I pay 8 Euros ($11) to change a spoke. A mechanic actually changes 6 spokes more. He says my all spokes are too old that it can be broken soon. He tells me that it is better to change all.
I eat a meat on purpose this time to have experience of Balkan food although I am a vegan. Haha. It is called Sarma which is wrapped of a squash. There is meat and rice at the inside.
Actually I had it already when I was in Bosnia. I didn't know what it was, because I was invited at dinner after getting permit for sleeping.
This time I want to try again to make sure what it is.
Oops.. I forgot to take picture of cut sarma.
It is Montenegro beer. I have been almost died, because it has been too hot ever. Even I could not sleep well, because I sweat during the night. It reminds me of Central America's heat.
Just the day before I leave, it rains and it makes everything so cool. I feel thankful ever to a cold weather.
Montenegro is really small that it takes only two days to pass on the coast side.
This time I think again about two routes. If I cycle to the next border, it takes only 20 km (12.5 mi) and it is very easy road.
If I decide to take a long way 80 km (50 mi), there are three big hills. However, I can take the road at the next sea. But I want to cycle on a quiet road. So, this time again I choose the hardest road.
At the beginning, it is totally flat. But after flat road, I can see mountains. It is time to go up!
The weather is too hot and the road is too steep. I doubt just one second about why I chose the hardest road.
Yeah, the reason is to see beautiful nature, cycle on a quiet road, and have challenging. I feel too hot, but I can see a snow mountain. What a funny.
I have to climb three big hills. It is too hot that I just lie down on the road. Then.. I fall in sleep, which I've never done before.
Where is there??? It looks amazing flat. I check my offline map and realize it is Albania. If I chose a short road today, I might cycle there. Hahaha.
I feel always good when I reach to the top.
One hour is left until the sunset. I decide to cross the border tomorrow, so I turn to a small village just before the border. Although I use only a body language, they let me set up my tent.
It is a cool night. They take care of me so kindly and warmly. Her grandson who can speak English comes, so we could have conversation. Her family just lives in front of her house. Actually I almost tried to ask at that house, but I gave up. And I chose this house. But all houses are just one family. Haha. To live closely is Balkan's culture, I think.
Although I don't stay longer and don't cycle a lot in Montenegro, I will remember Montenegro as a kind country.
(Croatia) One of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, Dubrovnik!
(Albania) Welcome back to a hard day.
Very nice report again and briliant pictures.


I have been lagging behind in my blogs. It is just because I have been busy making cards and jewellery..
Manu, an employee of NTPC, is an all rounder. Be it music, sports, or photography, he would be there with full enthusiasm. He met with a serious accident two years back. It was a great shock to all of us and it was as if gloom had descended over our township. It's the prayers of all the residents and God's blessing, that has brought him back amongst us. The other day he rendered a song, playing the keyboard, all in sync. It brought tears to my eyes and suddenly felt that I should make a special card for his b'day on Marc 30th.
Here is what I came up with and gifted him.


Greywater is the domestic wastewater resulting from household water use. Some sources such as water from showers, sinks, or bathtubs is generally safe to use for garden irrigation. This is a guide about using greywater in the garden.
Greywater is domestic waste water from activities such as laundry, dishwashing, and bathing. Unlike sewage water (which is referred to as blackwater), greywater can be safely recycled for use in the landscape without the use of any special treatment systems. Because we use large amounts of this type of water for daily household activities the average bathtub uses 26 gallons, in extreme drought conditions greywater can be a great way to conserve water.
The organic contaminants in some greywater, such as food particles, can supply plants with valuable nutrients for growth. However, greywater that is heavily contaminated with salt, soap residues, fats, or grease can be toxic (to both microbial and plant life) and should be avoided. Some types of domestic greywater are better than others for use in the garden. In order of preference they are: shower, bathtub, bathroom sink, and utility sink, provided bleaches or strong detergents have not been used. Water from dishwashers and washing machines is not safe to use as it contains too much detergent. Depending on your home's air quality, the water you collect from your dehumidifier may also be used. In fact, water from this source can actually be better for your plants than the water from your tap. Unlike tap water, a dehumidifier condenses water vapor out of the air so it contains none of the dissolved minerals that are sometimes present in tap water. It's unsafe for human consumption as there may be bacteria growing in it, but it should be fine to use on your plants.
Edible fruit, vegetables, or herbs.
Acidic soil-loving plants (detergents are alkaline).
Newly propagated or container-grown plants or plants grown in a greenhouse.
Areas where it might form puddles that attract playing children or thirsty animals.
Greywater can be transported directly to the garden from a bathtub (or sink) in a bucket, or the water can be diverted from your plumbing to the garden using a hose. Pipe diverters, available at hardware stores, are used in the same way as rainwater diverters from a downspout. They can be fitted to the waste-water drain from the bathroom and fed into an outdoor barrel or container dedicated for greywater.
Always store greywater in a dedicated container fitted with a lid, and use it as soon as possible after it has cooled. Because greywater contains organic solids, it can become smelly and unpleasant (and provide a breeding ground for disease pathogens) in only a few short hours.
Apply greywater to the soil near the plant, never directly on its foliage.
Do not use greywater containing bleaches, bath salts, artificial dyes, cleansers, and products containing boron. Avoid sodium-based detergents. Instead, use all-natural, biodegradable soaps with ingredients that are labeled safe for the environment.
Avoid using greywater with dripper or fine nozzle irrigation systems, which can become clogged by suspended particles in the water.
To prevent harmful salts from building up in the soil, alternate applications of greywater with other irrigation methods.
I keep a large empty bucket by the floor near my kitchen sink. As I rinse off my dishes, I collect the water in a container in the sink. (I use an empty large sized yogurt container.) Then I pour the water I collect into the bucket until it is full.
Every time I washed fruit and vegetables or used the salad spinner I put the 'dirty' water into a bucket. I was really shocked when by the end of the day the 2 gallon bucket was almost full!
This one comes from my dad. When I was young, he maintained a very large garden and my mom canned most of the fruits and veggies that we ate. One year because of a water main break, all outdoor watering was banned.
The concern that I would have now days with gray water from the laundry is that the soap has various chemicals in it that they didn't have maybe 20 or 30 yrs ago when it was more prevalent in using gray water for the garden. What are the effects that the new grey water will have on the plant growth and eventually on your body when you eat the food from the garden?
It's been my experience that most people who care enough for the environment to use gray water also use biodegradable laundry soaps, or at the very least a home made laundry soap that has far less chemicals in it than most did 20 years ago.
You may find your garden to be more lush and green. Jerry Baker recommends using dish liquid as a surfactant so fertilizers work better.. YOur garden might have fewer harmful insects... I wouldnt use wash water with chorine bleach on my garden. It might kill the plants..
The percentage of soap in the water is so miniscule it really doesn't make a difference, especially if you're economic with the amount you use-you don't need much soap to do the dishes if you use it properly.
It isn't so much the soap, but the borates and chlorines used, I switched to Shaklee Basic L, which has a washing soda base, and my kids' skin looks better, plus it goes a long way!
The soap issue is impostant regarding how you plan to use the greywater. For example if you plan to use the water for the garden you need to be concerned about salts in the detergent.
Most detergents contain salt which is bad for plants. Even some of the eco friendly detergents. Safer to use soap nuts which is a nut from a tree that produces saponin, a soap type susbtance.
There's a guy in our area who diverts all of his washing machine grey water to his garden, and he has the most lush, green and tropical garden probably in all of Arizona. He uses cheap laundry detergent, and I don't know if they use Clorox or not.
Is it possible to water the garden with the water from your washer? Maybe just the rinse water?


(Newser) – Six years to the day after Haile Gebrselassie became the first runner to finish a marathon in under 2 hours, 4 minutes, another Berlin Marathon runner has cracked the 2 hours, 3 minutes mark. Dennis Kimetto of Kenya won the race and knocked a full 26 seconds off the world record yesterday, finishing in 2:02:57, reports Reuters. "I feel good because I won a very tough race," the 30-year-old told reporters afterward. "I felt good from the start, and in the last 5 kilometers I felt I could do it." His previous best marathon time was last year's Chicago Marathon-winning 2:03:45.
Freaking 5 minute miles. I've ran a 6 min mile once and that was hard enough.


Vihucas is a family owned winery at the heart of La Mancha, committed to the production of fine premium wines.
Over 30 years, Vihucas Winery has gathered three generations of wine makers' tradition, incorporating the most important technological and process innovation to the fine wine making practices. The winery has a short high quality production limited to the capacity of its own grown grapes. All the wine is commercialised through the brand Vihucas.


Excellent exercise will benefit your health.
You will meet new companions and begin a new social life.
And of course golf presents an infinite sporting challenge, which can be played and enjoyed by people of all ages and levels of ability, and for the rest of their life.
Lots of people would like to give golf a try, but for whatever reason never get round to it. Some people never get the opportunity, and some are put-off the idea, perhaps 'having a go' once at a driving range, without help and without success, very frustrating!
Golf does take a little patience at first as the clubs are quite long and the balls are small! However, it only takes one good shot to discover how rewarding golf is, and feel how that one good shot satisfies the addiction until the next one.
At Reddish Vale Golf Club, we are committed to opening our doors and giving the opportunity of playing golf to any person who shows an interest.
If you would like to give golf a 'proper go', come and see Andrew, The Club Professional at Reddish Vale, who teaches golf from the start. Regardless of your age, gender or level of ability Andrew will make sure that you receive the help that will benefit you the most.
He will devise a plan so that you learn the basics of golf such as how to hold the club correctly, and how to play some shorter shots first. Once the basic fundamentals are in place, and you can practice successfully yourself, you will be amazed how quickly things improve.
Andrew offers both individual and group tuition so if you have friends or family who would also like to learn golf, you can learn together.
You do not need to be a club member to begin taking golf lessons and you can contact Andrew by clicking here.
We have a putting green and a practice ground so that you can learn the basics before you take on the golf course when the real fun begins!
Our 18 hole golf course is a beautiful place to spend time, and hidden down in The Vale you will feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of every-day life.
We have welcoming members who act as mentors from the start, accompanying you around the golf course, and helping you with things like etiquette and rulings.
Come and give golf a go! What have you got to lose? Contact me now.


text:
Who said: "We are here to celebrate the completion of the first survey of the entire human genome. Without a doubt, this is the most important, most wondrous map ever produced by human kind."
Ronald Reagan Bill Clinton Barack Obama more quiz questions >>
Home > Category Index for Science Quotations > Category Index R > Category: Russia
Russia Quotes (13 quotes)
After that cancellation [of the Superconducting Super Collider in Texas, after $2 billion had been spent on it], we physicists learned that we have to sing for our supper. ... The Cold War is over. You can't simply say "Russia!" to Congress, and they whip out their checkbook and say, "How much?" We have to tell the people why this atom-smasher is going to benefit their lives.
As quoted in Alan Boyle, 'Discovery of Doom? Collider Stirs Debate', article (8 Sep 2008) on a msnbc.com web page.
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An autocratic system of coercion, in my opinion, soon degenerates. For force always attracts men of low morality, and I believe it to be an invariable rule that tyrants of genius are succeeded by scoundrels. For this reason I have always been passionately opposed to systems such as we see in Italy and Russia to-day.
In The World As I See It (1934), 240.
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Darwin's theory was received in Russia with profound sympathy. While in Western Europe it met firmly established old traditions which it had first to overcome, in Russia its appearance coincided with the awakening of our society after the Crimean War and here it immediately received the status of full citizenship and ever since has enjoyed widespread popularity.
— Aleksandr Onufriyevich Kovalevsky
Quoted in Thomas F. Glick (ed.), The Comparative Reception of Darwinism (1988), 229-30.
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Euler was a believer in God, downright and straightforward. The following story is told by Thiebault, in his Souvenirs de vingt ans de séjour à Berlin, … Thiebault says that he has no personal knowledge of the truth of the story, but that it was believed throughout the whole of the north of Europe. Diderot paid a visit to the Russian Court at the invitation of the Empress. He conversed very freely, and gave the younger members of the Court circle a good deal of lively atheism. The Empress was much amused, but some of her counsellors suggested that it might be desirable to check these expositions of doctrine. The Empress did not like to put a direct muzzle on her guest's tongue, so the following plot was contrived. Diderot was informed that a learned mathematician was in possession of an algebraical demonstration of the existence of God, and would give it him before all the Court, if he desired to hear it. Diderot gladly consented: though the name of the mathematician is not given, it was Euler. He advanced toward Diderot, and said gravely, and in a tone of perfect conviction:
Monsieur, (a + bn) / n = x, donc Dieu existe; repondez!
Diderot, to whom algebra was Hebrew, was embarrassed and disconcerted; while peals of laughter rose on all sides. He asked permission to return to France at once, which was granted.
In Budget of Paradoxes (1878), 251. [The declaration in French expresses, "therefore God exists; please answer!" This Euler-Diderot anecdote, as embellished by De Morgan, is generally regarded as entirely fictional. Diderot before he became an encyclopedist was an accomplished mathematician and fully capable of recognizing—and responding to—the absurdity of an algebraic expression in proving the existence of God. See B.H. Brown, 'The Euler-Diderot Anecdote', The American Mathematical Monthly (May 1942), 49, No. 5, 392-303. —Webmaster.]
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I don't think many people remember what life was like in those days. This was the era when the Russians were claiming superiority, and they could make a pretty good case—they put up Sputnik in '57; they had already sent men into space to orbit the earth. There was this fear that perhaps communism was the wave of the future. The astronauts, all of us, really believed we were locked in a battle of democracy versus communism, where the winner would dominate the world.
As reported by Howard Wilkinson in 'John Glenn Had the Stuff U.S. Heroes are Made of', The Cincinnati Enquirer (20 Feb 2002).
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I took a course in speed reading course … and I was able to go through read War and Peace in twenty minutes. It's about Russia.
— Woody Allen
As quoted in Reader's Digest (Oct 1967), 91, 120.
Science quotes on: | Course (410) | Minute (126) | Peace (112) | Read (294) | Reading (136) | Speed (66) | Through (847) | War (227)
If Russia is to be a great power, it will be, not because of its nuclear potential, faith in God or the president, or Western investment, but thanks to the labor of the nation, faith in knowledge and science and the maintenance and development of scientific potential and education.
— Zhores Ivanovich Alferov
Quoted in Darryl J. Leiter, Sharon Leiter, A to Z of physicists (2003), 3.
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Peace cannot be obtained by wishing for it. We live in the same world with Russia, whose leader has said he "wants to bury us"—and he means it. Disarmament, the cessation of tests, will not automatically bring us closer to peace.
From debate (20 Feb 1958) between Linus Pauling and Edward Teller on WQED-TV, San Francisco. Transcript published as Fallout and Disarmament: The Pauling-Teller Debate (1958). Reprinted in 'Fallout and Disarmament: A Debate between Linus Pauling and Edward Teller', Daedalus (Spring 1958), 87, No. 2, 153.
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The thought that we're in competition with Russians or with Chinese is all a mistake, and trivial. We are one species, with a world to win. There's life all over this universe, but the only life in the solar system is on earth, and in the whole universe we are the only men.
— George Wald
From speech given at an anti-war teach-in at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (4 Mar 1969) 'A Generation in Search of a Future', as edited by Ron Dorfman for Chicago Journalism Review, (May 1969).
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There are three ways to encourage initiative. One is to cut off people's heads as they do in Russia. Another is to subject people to public criticism, which is impossible in such secret work as this. A third way is to set up competition. This is Livermore's most valuable function: simply to be a competitor.
Explaining the merit in setting up a second laboratory, at Livermore, California, to continue his thermonuclear research after he left Los Alamos due to disagreements he had there. As quoted in Robert Coughlan, 'Dr. Edward Teller's Magnificent Obsession', Life (6 Sep 1954), 70-72.
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Thou, Chemistry, do penetrate
With vision keen the bowels of earth,
Reveal what treasure Russia hides there… .
As quoted, without citation, in Isaac Asimov and Jason A. Shulman (eds.), Isaac Asimov's Book of Science and Nature Quotations (1988), 45.
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To most ... of us, Russia was as mysterious and remote as the other side of the moon and not much more productive when it came to really new ideas or inventions. A common joke of the time [mid 1940s] said that the Russians could not surreptitiously introduce nuclear bombs in suitcases into the United States because they had not yet been able to perfect a suitcase.
— Herbert F. York
In Richard Rhodes, The Making of the Atomic Bomb (1986), 760.
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Under the flag of science, art, and persecuted freedom of thought, Russia would one day be ruled by toads and crocodiles the like of which were unknown even in Spain at the time of the Inquisition.
— Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
Science quotes on: | Art (663) | Crocodile (14) | Flag (11) | Freedom (137) | Inquisition (8) | Persecute (5) | Rule (296) | Science And Art (191) | Science And Politics (16) | Spain (4) | Thought (962) | Time (1886) | Toad (10) | Unknown (185)


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text:
Q: How to return Json from WCF Service? I have the piece of code below of a template Ajax enabled WCF service. What can i do to make it return JSon instead of XML?
thanks.
using System;
using System.Linq;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;
using System.ServiceModel;
using System.ServiceModel.Activation;

[ServiceContract(Namespace = "WCFServiceEight")]
[AspNetCompatibilityRequirements(RequirementsMode = AspNetCompatibilityRequirementsMode.Allowed)]
public class CostService
{
    // Add [WebGet] attribute to use HTTP GET
    [OperationContract]
    [WebGet]
    public double CostOfSandwiches(int quantity)
    {
        return 1.25 * quantity;
    }
}

A: Have you tried:
[WebGet(ResponseFormat= WebMessageFormat.Json)]

A: If you want to use the POST verb as in $.ajax({ type: "POST", ...) you will need to markup your method with [WebInvoke(Method="POST"].
Since you marked it up with [WebGet] (which is equivalent to [WebInvoke(Method="GET")]) you should call the service using the GET verb, e.g.:
$.ajax({ type: "GET", ...) or use $.get(url, data, ...) (see jQuery.get for more info).
And you'll need to set the ResponseFormat to Json, as tomasr already pointed out.


text:
Q: UWP .appxupload error while uploading to the Windows store I'm uploading a new .appxupload file to the Windows Store web portal and it gives error as shown in the screenshot:

I've followed all these steps and my account is associated with developer account.
I've ran Windows App Certification Kit and everything passed.
How do I fix this? Any suggestions are appreciated

A: Issue is resolved. Using Fiddler logs, it turns out https://upload.xboxlive.com site falls under Games category and blocked by our organization


USA BMX & BMX Canada are among the top fundraisers for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Each year, riders raise funds for this worthwhile cause. The Race For Life Series was started in 1981 to help a fellow BMXer diagnosed with leukemia.
To learn more about the Race For Life Series, including an inspirational video about how this outstanding series got started - check out The Mission.


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text:
ភ្នំពេញប៉ុស្តិ៍ Subscribe Search
Phnom Penh Post - Activists charged 'on legal basis'
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Activists charged 'on legal basis'
Khouth Sophak Chakrya | Publication date 24 June 2021 | 21:09 ICT
The three activists were sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on June 19 and were charged a day later. LICADHO
Thu, 24 June 2021
The Ministry of Interior has rebuffed a joint statement by roughly 70 NGOs demanding the release of three Mother Nature activists who have been charged with plotting and insulting the King.
In response to the June 23 joint statement, the ministry detailed the history of Mother Nature Cambodia, an environmental watchdog it dissolved on September 15, 2017, at the request of the organisation leader dated August 23, 2017.
The ministry said the activists – Sun Ratha, Yim Leanghy and Ly Chandaravuth – had taken refuge under the label of Mother Nature Cambodia to commit illegal activities.
The trio were arrested and sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on June 19 and a day later were charged with conspiracy and insulting the King.
"Mother Nature Cambodia does not exist [as an organisation] and no longer has the legal capacity to carry out its work in the Kingdom.
"However, with the support of Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, a Spaniard who was expelled from Cambodia by the interior ministry on February 23, 2015, these three acted to 'incite disunity and abuse the Constitution with the intention of causing social insecurity and affecting national stability, and thus the relevant authorities needed to take action in accordance with the laws in force."
On June 22, a group of around 70 NGOs issued a joint statement denouncing actions taken by the authorities and municipal court against the three activists. They alleged that it was part of a "targeted" and outrageous persecution of frontline environmental defenders and grassroots activists by the government.
The civil society groups have called on the authorities to stop imprisoning activists and to start heeding the calls of youths who they said are on the frontlines documenting the risks Cambodia faces from natural resource exploitation and environmental degradation.
"Advocating for human rights and demanding that the authorities protect the environment are not crimes and jailing the country's future generation of environmental defenders imperils us all," they said.
The joint statement said Ratha and Chandaravuth were arrested on Phnom Penh's riverside along with Seth Chhivlimeng, who was later released. It said the three were only documenting runoff from drainpipes along the river.
At the same time, Koh Thom district authorities in Kandal province summoned environmental activist Yim Leanghy for questioning and then detained him before transferring him to Phnom Penh.
The whereabouts of the four activists were not made public for at least 24 hours after their initial arrest, putting undue stress on their families and depriving them access to prompt legal counsel, the NGOs said.
Ratha, Chandaravuth and Leanghy were then brought to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and questioned by the prosecutor on June 19 and then charged on June 20 with conspiracy and insulting the King. The news of their detention, the NGOs said, was leaked to the media even before they were conveyed to their lawyers. They said this further undermined the activists' right to a fair trial.
The NGOs requested that the authorities release the activists and drop all charges against them. "We, the undersigned community and civil society groups, demand the immediate release of the arrested environmental activists, the dropping of all charges, and a halt to the relentless repression and persecution of the environmental movement," said their joint statement.
However, the interior ministry said that based on video evidence seized on May 14, Gonzalez-Davidson chaired an online meeting with the three activists where he used insulting words against the King and the head of the government.
The ministry further stated that the activist's actions in the past were not done for the cause of loyalty to the protection of natural resources and the environment, but rather embedded with malicious tactics aimed at inciting unrest, mobilising forces to revolt and creating chaos in the country.
The ministry also cited the activists' confessions to the judicial police as legal basis for the charges.
"They did act under the label of the Mother Nature environmental movement, but in truth they want an uprising to overthrow the government in a manner that is contrary to the principles of the multi-party liberal democracy enshrined in the Cambodian Constitution," it said.
Contact author: Khouth Sophak Chakrya
Research key to Kanitha's rep for expertise
Sok Kanitha is used to weighing in on controversial issues using a confident approach that signals expertise and authority, and a recent video she made was no exception. Her "Episode 342: The History of NATO" video went live on January 16, 2023 and immediately shot to 30,000 likes and 3,500
Cambodia maintains 'Kun Khmer' stance despite Thailand's boycott threat
Cambodia has taken the position that it will use the term "Kun Khmer" to refer to the sport of kickboxing at the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and has removed the term Muay from all references to the sport. Despite strong reactions from the Thai
Knockout! Kun Khmer replaces 'Muay' for Phnom Penh Games
Cambodia has decided to officially remove the word Muay from the programme of the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2023 in May. "Kun Khmer" will instead be used to represent the Southeast Asian sport of kickboxing, in accordance with the wishes of the Cambodian people. Vath
Artificial insemination takes herd from 7 to 700
Some farms breed local cows or even import bulls from a broad for the purpose of breeding heavier livestock for meat production. One Tbong Khnum farmer has found a more efficient way. Hout Leang employs artificial insemination to fertilise local cows. Thanks to imported "straws"
Chinese group tours return to Cambodia starting Feb 6
Cambodia is among 20 countries selected by Beijing for a pilot programme allowing travel agencies to provide international group tours as well as flight and hotel packages to Chinese citizens, following a three-year ban. As the days tick down until the programme kicks off on February 6,
Capital-Poipet express rail project making headway
The preliminary results of a feasibility study to upgrade the Phnom Penh-Poipet railway into Cambodia's first express railway indicate that the project would cost more than $4 billion and would take around four years to complete. The study was carried out by China Road and
Kingdom denounces UN rapporteur's statement on Mother Nature activists' trial
Youth cyclists blocked in Koh Kong province
Mother Nature activists file appeal
Court upholds sentences of Mother Nature activists
Supreme Court hears appeal from activists
Mother Nature activists found guilty
Two activists from the conservation group Mother Nature were found guilty on Friday of "incitement to commit a felony" and making unauthorised recordings of a
Activist's case sent to lower court for retrial
Inquiry afoot after sand shipping video goes viral
Mother Nature activists' appeal to be heard
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LWVCA welcomes participation from members and non-members alike!
The City Government Committee follows issues concerning the government of the City of Cincinnati. The committee monitors changes in city governance and their impact on the relationships between City Council, the City Manager, the administrative staff, and the public's ability to participate in their government. The committee studies and prepares information on any proposed amendments to the City of Cincinnati Charter or other ballot issues involving city voters. The committee follows city, county and regional transportation issues and proposals. The committee meets as needed.
The County Government Committee follows issues concerning Hamilton County government. We have monitored the proceedings of the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners and its Tax Levy Review Committee, as well as other County government activities. The committee evaluated the Hamilton County process for voting on property tax levies, compared it to those of other metropolitan counties in Ohio, and produced a white paper (PDF). We have studied specific property tax issues that are to be submitted to the voters and at times have recommended that our Board take a public position of support for a particular levy.
Know Hamilton County, has been updated periodically and reissued by the County Government Committee. The committee has prepared and presented materials entitled County Government 101 for one of the monthly unit discussions. Our meeting time is usually on the third Tuesday evening of each month. Check the League calendar or call the LWVCA office at 281-VOTE for specific dates and times.
The LWVCA's Education Committee monitors and acts on issues involving public education at the national, state, and local levels. In 2010-11 we (and Leagues across the country) participated in the LWVUS Study on The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education. From that study, a new position was developed and will be used to take action when warranted.
Our activities involving our LWV Ohio positions on public education usually concern the funding of Ohio's public schools. Since 2013 is the year for the Legislature to adopt a new biennial budget, we have been working with other groups and using our state positions to convince our elected officials that some major changes are needed in the proposed education budget.
Finally, in 2011 our local members requested an update of our local position on desegregation in Cincinnati Public Schools. The Committee is researching the history of the court case and CPS's response to the decision. We will present our findings to the membership in the fall; they will then determine whether we should drop or retain the current position or whether a new study of Cincinnati Public Schools is needed.
The Health Care Committee monitors the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners' implementation of the Tax Levy Review Committee's recommendations when administering the funds from the 2011 Health Service Levy (formally known as the Indigent Care Levy). As of June 2013, the Health Care Committee does not plan to meet on a regular basis, but may reconvene to address upcoming health-related tax levies or city budget issues.
Members address housing issues including lead hazards, predatory lending and foreclosure issues, affordable housing development, home ownership issues, public housing, homelessness, home repair issues, accessibility in housing, and housing discrimination.
The committee implements the League policy to "promote an environment beneficial to life through the protection and wise management of natural resources in the public interest." The committee has been involved in following the threat of global climate change attributed to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.The committee provides study material for Unit discussions on issues impacting local water quality and availability. Recently the committee has been studying "fracking", a new technology for capturing natural gas and oil, which threatens environmental impacts on air and water. Committee members have served on subcommittees of the Cincinnati Climate Protection Action Plan, a City initiative to reduce emissions locally. We continue to follow recycling initiatives within the Cincinnati area and educate our members on this issue. Members also participate on the OKI Intermodal Coordinating Committee, the Mill Creek Restoration Project, and the Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities, among others. A new activity this spring - the committee is presenting a booth at the Cincinnati Paddlefest/Pedalfest celebration, providing bikers and paddlers with information on how to contact and speak with their elected representatives about issues of concern to them and their families. The Committee usually meets the second Thursday of the month, at 7 p.m., in the League office, but dates may change. For more information, e-mail nrc@lwvcincinnati.org or check the online League calendar.
The LWVCA often forms committees to study issues as needed. For example, in 2015 local Leagues will be working on two national studies. The first is a study of the Constitutional Amendment process where leagues across the nation will be considering consensus questions for evaluating Constitutional Amendment proposals. Information is available at LWVUS Constitutional Amendment Study and a committee will be formed to direct this study at the local level. The second study is a Money in Politics review and update. This involves a member study and consensus to update the League's position on campaign finance. More information about this study is available at LWVUS Money in Politics Review. Community members with a particular knowledge of or interest in either subject are encouraged to join the study committee. The League is interested in learning the facts from all sides of an issue and our positions benefit greatly from a diversity of view points.


text:
package com.blazebit.blazefaces.component;

import com.blazebit.blazefaces.apt.JsfAttribute;
import com.blazebit.blazefaces.apt.JsfComponent;
import com.blazebit.blazefaces.apt.JsfDescription;

import javax.faces.component.EditableValueHolder;

/**
 *
 * @author Christian
 */
@JsfComponent
public interface BaseUIInput extends BaseUIOutput, EditableValueHolder {

    /**
     * {@inheritDoc}
     */
    @JsfAttribute(defaultValue = "false", description = @JsfDescription(description = "When evaluates to true, a value for this component is required on a post-back. Default is false"))
    @Override
    public boolean isRequired();

    /**
     * {@inheritDoc}
     */
    @Override
    public void setRequired(boolean required);

    /**
     * {@inheritDoc}
     */
    @JsfAttribute(defaultValue = "false", description = @JsfDescription(description = "When set true, process validations logic is executed at apply request values phase for this component. Default is false."))
    @Override
    public boolean isImmediate();

    /**
     * {@inheritDoc}
     */
    @Override
    public void setImmediate(boolean immediate);

    @JsfAttribute(defaultValue = "false", description = @JsfDescription(description = "When set true, the component is disabled. Default is false."))
    public boolean isDisabled();

    public void setDisabled(boolean immediate);

    /*

    <attribute>
        <name>validator</name>
        <required>false</required>
        <type>javax.faces.validator.Validator</type>
        <ignoreInComponent>true</ignoreInComponent>
        <description>A method expression referring to a method validationg the
            input.</description>
    </attribute>
    <attribute>
        <name>valueChangeListener</name>
        <required>false</required>
        <type>javax.faces.event.ValueChangeListener</type>
        <ignoreInComponent>true</ignoreInComponent>
        <method-signature>void valueChange(javax.faces.event.ValueChangeEvent)</method-signature>
        <description>A method binding expression referring to a method for
            handling a valuchangeevent.</description>
    </attribute>
    <attribute>
        <name>requiredMessage</name>
        <required>false</required>
        <type>java.lang.String</type>
        <ignoreInComponent>true</ignoreInComponent>
        <description>Message to display when required field validation fails.</description>
    </attribute>
    <attribute>
        <name>converterMessage</name>
        <required>false</required>
        <type>java.lang.String</type>
        <ignoreInComponent>true</ignoreInComponent>
        <description>Message to display when conversion fails.</description>
    </attribute>
    <attribute>
        <name>validatorMessage</name>
        <required>false</required>
        <type>java.lang.String</type>
        <ignoreInComponent>true</ignoreInComponent>
        <description>Message to display when validation fails.</description>
    </attribute>

     */
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Freedom in the World 2017
by Bill Hayes
Freedom House has published its annual report Freedom in the World 2017, subtitled Populists and Autocrats: The Dual Threat to Global Democracy.
In 2016, populist and nationalist political forces made astonishing gains in democratic states, while authoritarian powers engaged in brazen acts of aggression, and grave atrocities went unanswered in war zones across two continents.
All of these developments point to a growing danger that the international order of the past quarter-century — rooted in the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law — will give way to a world in which individual leaders and nations pursue their own narrow interests without meaningful constraints, and without regard for the shared benefits of global peace, freedom, and prosperity.
The troubling impression created by the year's headline events is supported by the latest findings of Freedom in the World. A total of 67 countries suffered net declines in political rights and civil liberties in 2016, compared with 36 that registered gains. This marked the 11th consecutive year in which declines outnumbered improvements.
While in past years the declines in freedom were generally concentrated among autocracies and dictatorships that simply went from bad to worse, in 2016 it was established democracies — countries rated Free in the report's ranking system — that dominated the list of countries suffering setbacks. In fact, Free countries accounted for a larger share of the countries with declines than at any time in the past decade, and nearly one-quarter of the countries registering declines in 2016 were in Europe.
As the year drew to a conclusion, the major democracies were mired in anxiety and indecision after a series of destabilizing events. In the United States, the presidential victory of Donald Trump, a mercurial figure with unconventional views on foreign policy and other matters, raised questions about the country's future role in the world. Britain's vote to leave the European Union, the collapse of the Italian government after a failed referendum on constitutional reform, a series of antidemocratic moves by the new government in Poland, and gains by xenophobic nationalist parties elsewhere in Europe similarly cast doubt on the strength of the alliances that shaped the institutions of global democracy.
At the same time, Russia, in stunning displays of hubris and hostility, interfered in the political processes of the United States and other democracies, escalated its military support for the Assad dictatorship in Syria, and solidified its illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory. China also flouted international law, ignoring a tribunal's ruling against its expansive claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea and intensifying its repression of dissent within its borders. And unscrupulous leaders from South Sudan and Ethiopia to Thailand and the Philippines engaged in human rights violations of varying scale with impunity.
In the wake of last year's developments, it is no longer possible to speak with confidence about the long-term durability of the EU; the incorporation of democracy and human rights priorities into American foreign policy; the resilience of democratic institutions in Central Europe, Brazil, or South Africa; or even the expectation that actions like the assault on Myanmar's Rohingya minority or indiscriminate bombing in Yemen will draw international criticism from democratic governments and UN human rights bodies. No such assumption, it seems, is entirely safe. [more]
December 7th, 2017 in Democracy / Human Rights, Elections, Foreign Policy, International, Politics / Governance