An item on Native Affairs, entitled 'Bones of Contention', reported on the discovery of 'kōiwi' (human remains) at a development site in Devonport, and apparent tensions between iwi and the owner and developer of the site, Redback Develop Ltd. The Authority did not uphold the complaint from Redback that the item contained inaccurate information about the development and the discovery of kōiwi. Nor did the Authority uphold the complaint that the content of the panel discussion was misleading. The broadcaster treated Redback fairly and made reasonable efforts to put forward Redback's position, by inviting onto the programme the individual who it had been referred to as the appropriate person to comment.
Devonport is described by those who live there as a charming seaside village just a ferry ride from the city lights. But it wasn't always this way. As early as 1350, Māori have occupied the coastline setting up fishing stations, community gardens and settlements. So, no surprise then that the remains of many Māori are still buried there. Developers building the old Masonic Tavern [sic] found out the hard way. Their diggers were ordered to stop digging when they hit human remains, and for the past month nothing has happened at the site, costing the owners time and money.
 The reporter interviewed a member of the Ngāti Whātua iwi (P) who opposed the development. Later, a panel discussion involving the reporter, a resource management consultant (B), and the Project Kaumatua (T),2 took place. The programme was broadcast on 19 August 2013 on Māori TV.
 Redback Develop Ltd (Redback), the developer, made a formal complaint to Māori Television, alleging that the item contained inaccurate and misleading information about the development at the Masonic Tavern site, and particularly with regard to the archaeological investigation and the discovery of kōiwi. In addition, it argued that the item lacked balance, and that they were treated unfairly.
 Redback raised Standards 4, 5, 6 and 8 in its original complaint, but did not to refer its Standard 8 complaint to this Authority. The issue therefore is whether the broadcast breached the accuracy, fairness and controversial issues standards as set out in the Free-to-Air Television Code of Broadcasting Practice.
 Ultimately, Redback was able to proceed with the development. The archaeological status of the site required Redback to obtain authorities from the Historic Places Trust (HPT) to investigate, destroy, damage, or modify the site before commencing demolition and construction work.7 This led to a preliminary investigation under HPT authority 2010/160 and the discovery of one burial. A full investigation commenced in May 2013 under HPT authority 2011/486 and further burials were discovered.
 An Iwi Protocol was established to meet the requirements of authority 2011/486. This set out the terms and conditions for carrying out and monitoring the development, including the procedure for dealing with kōiwi, as agreed between the developer and Mana Whenua.
 The archaeological investigation under authority 2011/486, which is ongoing, formed the focus of the Native Affairs broadcast on 19 August 2013.
 Native Affairs is a news and current affairs programme presented from a unique Māori perspective. As noted in the introduction, the item subject to complaint reported on the development of the Masonic Tavern site from the perspective of some Mana Whenua, who expressed their opposition to the development and what they saw as the desecration of a site of historical importance to Māori.
 We recognise that the item carried very high public interest. The item was a serious report on an important topic, particularly for Māori. It raised issues relating to the preservation of heritage and respect for cultural and community values on the one hand, and the utilisation of land for development and economic reward on the other. We agree with Māori TV that it is the responsibility of a current affairs programme such as Native Affairs to highlight these types of issues 'so as to ensure that its viewing audience, and in particular Māori, are fully engaged in issues of environmental, historical, and cultural importance in the context of future development throughout all parts of New Zealand'.
 The value of the item in terms of free speech must be balanced against the potential harm likely to accrue to the complainant, and to the audience. The alleged harm was said to derive from inaccurate and misleading claims, and a lack of balance, which was said to mislead and misinform viewers and create an unfairly negative impression of the developer.
Did the item contain inaccurate and misleading statements about the discovery of kōiwi?
Did the item contain inaccurate and misleading statements about the archaeological investigation?
Did the item contain any other inaccurate or misleading statements?
Was the content of the panel discussion inaccurate or misleading?
 We consider each of these issues and the parties' arguments below.
 Redback argued that it was deliberately misleading and sensationalist to claim that 'dozens of kōiwi' had been recovered at the site. It argued that no more bones were in situ in the development area, that the term 'ancient' was 'vague and misrepresentative of what we actually know of the kōiwi so far', and 'the news of further kōiwi being discovered at the site has never been released publicly by the tavern's representatives and [it] is really conjecture that this has spread quickly'. In regards to P's statement, it asserted that only one burial was recorded or discovered before the archaeological investigation commenced in May 2013.
 Māori TV said that 'kōiwi' translates to 'human bone' as well as 'corpse'.9 It stood by the veracity of the statements, saying that a 'human skeleton contains over 200 bones'. The broadcaster said it was informed by P that dozens of bones were recovered and it maintained that he was well qualified to give his opinion on the topic. It said that Māori history is generally recorded orally, and that many oral accounts of kōiwi discovery at and around the site could be provided.
there was potential for more burials to be found in the foredune.
 In addition to the four burials on the site, the file note recorded the discovery of 'numerous fragments of human bone scattered through the dark pre-European occupation layer'. The scattered bone was said to come from 'at least two different individuals'.
 In determining whether the statements made were inaccurate, we note that the Iwi Protocol defines 'kōiwi' as 'human remains', which is consistent with several sources.10 The word is not limited to denoting a single corpse and we are satisfied that it was accurately used in the programme to mean 'human bones' or 'skeletal remains'. Based on the information available to us, and particularly the hui file note, we are satisfied that the references to 'dozens' and 'lots' of kōiwi were accurate and did not mislead. We reject the complainant's contention the 'discovery involved significantly less than 10 kōiwi'.
 The assertion that 'under their beds lay the bones of ancient Māori' was in our view sensationalist, but not inaccurate or misleading. In the file note, the archaeologist is recorded as using the terms 'pre-European', 'historic' and 'pre-historic' in regards to the kōiwi discovered, so it was reasonable to describe the bones as 'ancient'. The file note confirmed that, at the time of the broadcast, four burials and scattered fragments of bone remained at the site though three were no longer in situ, and the Iwi Protocol indicates that in some instances kōiwi would 'be left in place'. The statement was therefore not inaccurate in regards to the current status of the 'kōiwi', as alleged.
 The reporter's statement, 'the news of the 'kōiwi discovery in one of Auckland's exclusive seaside settlements spread quickly', was not a material point of fact in the context of the item. It simply conveyed the point that the discovery of kōiwi was being discussed locally. This was a subjective analysis of the situation, not a statement of fact.
 P's comment that 'it was already known that there were burials on that [Masonic Tavern] site' was not sourced to any written account of kōiwi discovery, so would not have been taken as a statement of fact. It is reasonable to interpret the comment as a reference to oral history, based on P's research, as this is how Māori history is often recorded. We note, as an aside, that the Iwi Protocol does refer to 'known burials from 2001 and 2010'.
 We decline to uphold these parts of the complaint.
'Over the fence, work on the multi-million dollar development has ground to a halt as archaeologists sift through the soil'.
 Redback asserted that it was not 'ordered to stop digging' and the development had not 'ground to a halt', as the archaeological investigation was always planned and budgeted for. It disputed the contention that 'nothing had happened' at the site, saying the past month saw the completion of part of the investigation, including the uplifting of human remains as per the conditions of the Iwi Protocol and authority 2011/486. In response to a request for further information from the Authority, Redback provided photographs dated July and August 2013, which it said showed archaeological and excavation work in progress.
 Māori TV said the issues were presented in a way that was immediately understandable to viewers, as opposed to a more technical telling of the story which could have lost the audience's interest. It said the point being made was that the archaeological investigation, including consultation with iwi, interrupted the development. It asserted that protocols were in place to ensure developments were halted following the discovery of human remains. The archaeological process, on which the development depended, inevitably cost both time and money, built into the overall development cost, it said.
 The statements outlined at paragraph  relate to the ongoing archaeological investigation under the HPT authority 2011/486. Based on the further information provided to us, we know that kōiwi (consisting of four burials and numerous fragments of scattered bone) were discovered as part of that investigation, though it appears that this information had not been officially released to the public at the time of the broadcast. The statements subject to complaint refer to the archaeological process for dealing with the kōiwi.
Stand down periods are provided for in NZHPT authority No. 2011/486 in order for archaeological investigation and cultural practices to occur.
 We agree with the broadcaster that the photographs provided by Redback, in response to our request for further information, appear to support, rather than disprove, these claims. Redback explained that the photographs showed the progress of archaeological work alongside general excavation. They did not show any construction work on the apartment complex, and we presume this is because construction could not take place until the investigation – including the procedure for dealing with kōiwi – was complete. Clause 5 of the Iwi Protocol refers to 'time delays' where kōiwi is discovered. It was reasonable to summarise for viewers that 'nothing has happened' and the development had 'ground to a halt'. Naturally, any stoppage of works would be an additional cost borne by the developer, whether or not this was planned and budgeted for, so it was also reasonable to say these delays cost time and money.
 We agree with Māori TV that the story was presented in a way that viewers could readily understand. Given the length of the item and the focus of the report, it was not necessary or practical for the broadcaster to canvass the background to the development, including detailed reference to the HPT authorities and the Iwi Protocol. Viewers would not have been misled in the manner alleged.
 The complainant argued that the first statement was inaccurate because 'we are not building the tavern, we are redeveloping the site'. In regards to the second statement, Redback said the reporter was informed it was not willing to comment as per a condition of the Iwi Protocol.
 In this first statement, the reporter should have said 'Developers building at the old Masonic Tavern', but in our view the inadvertent omission of a word would not have misinformed or misled the audience. We agree with Māori TV that viewers would have understood from the story that the developers were building at the site of the Masonic Tavern, not rebuilding the tavern.
 Turning to the second statement, this accompanied footage of the reporter standing on the footpath outside the development site. She was told by a man wearing a fluorescent vest, 'You can't film us working' and, 'it goes against the protocol. It's an archaeological dig – no media whatsoever.' We think the reporter's statement, 'The developer made it clear that our presence was not welcome here', accurately reflected this. The content of this complaint further reinforces that the reporter was not welcome at the site.
 These statements were accurate in a broad sense and did not mislead viewers.
 Māori TV maintained that B had expertise in this area and was offering his opinions in general terms, sometimes referring to the Masonic Tavern site. It said that T (see below) was representing the developer, the archaeologist and the HPT.
 Viewers would have appreciated from these comments that there had been some consultation with iwi about the site, though it was obvious that both B and T considered that this was inadequate. The consultation started at least two years prior, and T had been involved throughout. When asked what could be done better in the future, T responded that there could be better consultation and better links between the parties. He expressed the opinion that some of the consultation had been ad hoc. Viewers seeing this exchange would have understood the comments of B as amounting to his opinion on the adequacy of the consultation, and as having been balanced to some extent by T. They would also have seen T expressing his own opinion that the consultation had not been entirely adequate. We remind ourselves that this was a broadcast which was expressing a Māori perspective, as it was entitled to, and as it would be seen to be doing.
 We acknowledge the complainant's objection to the suggestion there had been inadequate consultation, considering consultation had been ongoing and involved the development of an Iwi Protocol with conditions for ongoing iwi engagement and monitoring of the development. It would have been useful for the reporter to outline some of the consultation that had taken place over the years, so as to inject some further balance into the story, and particularly the panel discussion.
 However, the reporter's failure to do so did not result in the content of the panel discussion being inaccurate or misleading. Viewers would have understood that B and T were expressing their opinions on the adequacy of the consultation, which was only one side of the story, expressed from a Māori perspective. Further, the reporter did make efforts to obtain comment from Redback and she was ultimately directed to T as the appropriate person to comment on these issues. It was for this very reason that T was invited to take part in the panel discussion, and any failure of T to put the developer's position was not the fault of the broadcaster.
 Accordingly, we decline to uphold this part of the complaint. In any case, we think it is better dealt with under fairness, in terms of whether Redback was provided with an opportunity to put forward its position.
 The accuracy complaint is based on Redback's literal interpretation of the words used in the item and the argument that more detail regarding the development history should have been included. However, this ignores the realities of broadcasting where broadcasters must utilise techniques such as shorthand to convey information in a way that is readily understandable to viewers in the timeframe available, and piques their interest. Overall, we are satisfied that the item was accurate in relation to all material points of fact and would not have misled viewers in any significant respect, and we decline to uphold the Standard 5 complaint.
 Redback argued that the broadcast of the alleged inaccurate and misleading information was unfair to it. In addition, it asserted that T was not its nominated or authorised representative, that the Iwi Protocol prevented it from commenting, and that only the Project Manager could issue a press release about the development. It argued that its refusal to comment did not excuse Māori TV from broadcasting an item that had little, if any, factual basis.
 Māori TV argued that despite numerous attempts to obtain comment from Redback, the archaeological company, and the HPT, the reporter was 'completely shut out and referred to iwi consultant [T]'. The reporter was informed when she visited the site that T 'was the only person permitted to speak about the development and the only person with authority to speak for the developer and iwi', it said. The broadcaster maintained that the interviewees were qualified to speak and express their expert opinions on the issues.
All requests for direct comment by media will be directed to the Project Manager and Project Kaumatua; no one else may comment to media without the approval of the Project Manager.
 In further information provided, Redback acknowledged that it was informed of T's intention to meet with Māori TV to discuss the 'inappropriateness of the coverage'. It argued that T then participated in the programme without advising the Project Manager, which it claimed was contrary to the provisions of the Iwi Protocol.
 In our view, what has happened here is that Māori TV has made extensive efforts to obtain Redback's side of the story to enable an informative broadcast on a matter of high public interest, but, for whatever reason, Redback chose not to engage with the programme. The broadcaster was referred to T, and so it invited him to participate in the panel discussion, which he did, in accordance with the provisions of the Iwi Protocol. We read the provision differently to the complainant. In our view the provision states that media enquiries should be directed to the Project Manager and the Project Kaumatua, and that no one else – apart from the Project Kaumatua – was permitted to comment without the Project Manager's approval.
 The crux of the complainant's fairness concerns is that T did not adequately put forward Redback's position or outline the level of consultation that had taken place with Mana Whenua, in accordance with the Iwi Protocol. If T is seen as not having performed well in the panel discussion, this is a matter between T and Redback, and is not the responsibility of the broadcaster. Māori TV believed it was giving Redback the opportunity to provide its side of the story by inviting T on to the programme.
 Overall, and given the level of public interest in the story, we find that Redback was treated fairly and we decline to uphold the Standard 6 complaint.
Did the broadcaster make reasonable efforts, or give reasonable opportunities, to present balance on the issue?
 Redback argued that the item was unbalanced because it did not include the developer's viewpoint. Māori TV argued that reasonable efforts were made and reasonable opportunities were given to present significant viewpoints in the programme and in other programmes within the period of current interest.
 However, the complainant's concern in relation to Standard 4 is that its view was not put forward on this particular development site at the Masonic Tavern – which in our view is a narrower focus, and just one example of the wider issue. For the reasons we have discussed under fairness, we are satisfied that the broadcaster made reasonable efforts, and gave reasonable opportunities, to present Redback's view in the programme. The broadcaster maintains it invited the complainant a number of times to appear on the programme to discuss the issues, and that this invitation remains open. Redback says the reporter was advised that it was not able to comment due to the conditions of the Iwi Protocol (although Māori TV disputes that the reporter was told there was an Iwi Protocol). In the absence of any comment or interview from Redback, Māori TV then invited the spokesperson it was directed to by the site manager, to appear on the programme, which he did. Redback was aware of the story and that Māori TV was making efforts to obtain comment, and could have issued a statement or a press release in advance of the broadcast in accordance with the conditions of the Iwi Protocol, as an alternative to giving an on-camera interview.
 We are satisfied that Māori TV complied with the requirements of Standard 4 by making reasonable efforts and giving reasonable opportunities to provide balance in the programme, and as the invitation to appear on the programme remains open, also within the period of current interest.
 The Authority is unanimous that this item did not breach broadcasting standards. However, I differ in the analysis of parts of the complaint. I was misled. I thought the item lacked balance.
 Redback took exception to B's comments which, although expressed as opinion, contained underlying assertions of fact. The item gave the impression that there had not been proper consultation with iwi at this development site. This was the general tenor of the story. I accept that whether or not 'proper' consultation has occurred is to some extent a subjective notion. Further, I would expect an item on Māori TV to express a Māori perspective and to give voice to those concerned about 'proper' consultation between iwi and developers. However, the standards apply. The failure to explain in the item what consultation had taken place, or the fact that there was an Iwi Protocol in place for the works as a result of consultation between the developers and iwi, resulted, in my view, in the item being misleading and unbalanced.
 This story examined the conflict between heritage and development as it related the particular site at Devonport. The panel discussion was in general terms about the inadequacy of consultation. I would have expected the reporter to investigate, and in the programme detail what consultation had taken place to give context to the item and discussion.
 When the reporter visited the site she was informed by a worker, 'You can't film us working… It's not right. It goes against the protocol'. I would have expected that in researching this story, the reporter would be at least aware that one of the conditions of HPT authority 2011/486 was for the Iwi Protocol that was developed in consultation with iwi. The reporter would then have been in a position to challenge these comments made by B during the panel discussion.
 However, whilst I find the item unbalanced and misleading, and the research for the programme inadequate, I find there was no breach of the accuracy or fairness standards. Combined with the efforts made to obtain comment from the developer and the inclusion of T in the panel discussion, the broadcaster made reasonable efforts to ensure the item was accurate and not misleading and to provide the necessary balance.
 As the media spokesman for the development under the protocol, T was the appropriate person to include in the panel discussion. As detailed at paragraphs  and  of our decision, T did make reference to the links between the parties and consultation with iwi. T failed to outline, other than in vague terms, the extent of the consultation or that there was an iwi protocol in place. However, as stated at paragraphs  and  any failure by T to put the developer's position was not the fault of the broadcaster.
 In all other respects I agree the decision.
1Mana Whenua in this decision is used to refer to local people who demonstrated an authority or interest in the relevant land.
2The Project Kaumatua is the person 'responsible for all matters of Tikanga for the Masonic Tavern Redevelopment' and 'Responding in the first instance to finds of significance' (Iwi Protocol).
3The Historic Places Act 1993 defines an 'archaeological site' as any place associated with pre-1900 human activity, where there is evidence relating to the history of New Zealand that can be investigated using archaeological methods.
13For further discussion of these concepts see Practice Note: Controversial Issues – Viewpoints (Balance) as a Broadcasting Standard in Television (Broadcasting Standards Authority, June 2010) and Practice Note: Controversial Issues – Viewpoints (Balance) as a Broadcasting Standard in Radio (Broadcasting Standards Authority, June 2009).


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26 Missing From Japanese Tour Boat After Distress Call off Hokkaido
TOKYO – All 26 people aboard a tour boat were reported missing on Saturday off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, after the boat issued a distress call to the Japanese coast guard early in the afternoon, saying it was sinking .
The Coast Guard dispatched rescue boats and planes after the tourist cruiser crew called to say the ship was tilting 30 degrees near the Shiretoko Peninsula on Hokkaido's eastern coast.
According to public broadcaster NHK, the first rescue call came at around 1:15 PM from the KAZU 1, a tour vessel that was on a scheduled three-hour round trip to the tip of Cape Shiretoko. A Coast Guard regional unit in Hokkaido told NHK that the crew had reported the boat going into the water. At 3 p.m. a last call came to the company
Tetsuo Saito, Japan's minister of land, infrastructure, transportation and tourism, told reporters late Saturday that coast guard boats were on the scene around 4:30 p.m. and had not yet found any survivors.
Saito said there were 24 passengers on board, including two children, along with the captain and a deck officer. They were all wearing life jackets, he said.
NHK reported early Sunday that four people had been found from the boat, but did not provide any information about their condition.
According to NHK, the Coast Guard sent five patrol vessels and two planes in rough winds to the area of the famous Kashuni Falls, where the boat was when the first call came in and where reefs are hidden under the sea. The public broadcaster reported that there had been a warning on Saturday for waves up to 3 meters high.
A man who answered the phone late Saturday night with Shiretoko Pleasure Cruiser, the owner of the tourist boat, said he was unable to answer questions because he had to "prioritise to talk to the families first."
The Shiretoko Pleasure Cruiser website advertises the three-hour Shiretoko Cape tour as an opportunity for tourists to see Kashuni Falls, as well as brown bears, eagles, dolphins, and whales. "It's a really unexplored area that can only be reached by boat," reads the itinerary.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida returned to Tokyo early from Kumamoto, according to NHK, where he attended a conference.
Hikari Hida reporting contributed.
Sachin Tendulkar turns 49: Here's a look at 49 of India legend's biggest records in international cricket
GM reportedly stops providing battery pack replacements for the Chevy Spark EV

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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'Arrow's' Jessica De Gouw, Lands Female Lead In NBC's 'Dracula'
Posted January 21st, 2013 by Janice Kay
The Huntress has now become the hunted as Jessica De Gouw has signed on to play the female lead in NBC's new supernatural drama 'Dracula.'
The 10 episode straight to series vampire project will star Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the lead role as Dracula. Set in the 1890's, the series follows the Prince of Darkness as he arrives in London posing as an American entrepreneur who wishes to bring modern science to Victorian society. But his true motive is to exact revenge on the people who ruined his life centuries earlier. The one problem with his plan is that he unexpectedly falls in love with a woman who seems to be the reincarnation of his dead wife. That woman will be played by De Gouw.
De Gouw will play Mina, the only woman medical student at the University College in London who just also happens to be engaged to Jonathan Harker. She is described as forward-thinking, clever and independent.
Many may remember De Gouw from her recent stint on the CW's 'Arrow' playing Helena Bertinelli aka The Huntress. While her character on the series left town, executive producer, Greg Berlanti, states that viewers haven't seen the last of her:
"She's going to come back. We're just writing that episode right now. We like to think of her as the crazy ex-girlfriend. So if you can only imagine the turns…her mission isn't done or complete yet. She wanted to kill her Dad and he's still alive."
'Dracula' is still in the casting phase and has yet to go into production. While no exact date has been given as to when the series will premiere, it's hoped that 'Dracula' will debut this fall.
Source: THR
Janice Kay
Janice's first memories of the genre were of watching the original 'Star Trek' and classic 'Doctor Who' episodes (Tom Baker, aka the Fourth Doctor, was her first). Soon, she was introduced to 'Godzilla' and her addiction then spread to books, magazines, movies and comics. Janice continued as a closet geek as her thirst and love for sci-fi grew and was only second to her love of baking. Then one night, on a whim, she answered a tweet to be a writer for ScienceFiction.com and the geek girl insider her was soon set free. Within 3 years she became the Senior Editor for the site. When not writing or editing for ScienceFiction.com, Janice is scouring the internet to feed her sci-fi cravings while defending conspiracy theories, protecting scientific theorems and loving all things science fiction.... and baking cookies.
Looking Back on Four Years of President Nerd
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What is Lucia Žitňanská's legacy?
The former justice minister has adopted several crucial measures, praised by experts.
"I cannot represent this or a new government" is how Lucia Žitňanská explained her decision to leave the post of justice minister. She announced it shortly after the resignation of Robert Fico, whose third cabinet ended only after a two-year tenure.
The abdication of the prime minister followed the crisis ignited by the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová.
Žitňanská's performance is considered rather positive thanks to the measures she managed to adopt.
"During her short term in the post, she implemented or wanted to implement many positive systemic changes in the judiciary that should contribute to increasing its trustworthiness," Kristína Babiaková, a lawyer cooperating with the Via Iuris think tank, told The Slovak Spectator.
Žitňanská introduced the mass selection procedures of new judges and made disciplinary proceedings more efficient. She also proposed rules to increase the quality in the selection of Constitutional Court justices, according to Babiaková.
One of the biggest changes passed during Žitňanská's term in the office concerns personal bankruptcy and strengthening the position of the Legal Aid Centre, which helps clients with personal bankruptcies. Natural persons can eliminate their debts in two ways: by declaring bankruptcy and by agreeing on an instalment calendar.
"The legislative change to the law on bankruptcy and restructuring was absolutely crucial for natural persons," Eva Kováčechová, head of the Legal Aid Centre, told The Slovak Spectator, adding that the new rules enabled more people to apply for personal bankruptcy.
Read more: How did the selection of judges change? Why was the introduction of new drug legislation postponed?


If you follow us on social media you will know that we were very excited to hear the news that we were selected as one of the 10 'Best Interior Designers in Texas' by CUSTOM HOME Magazine. CUSTOM HOME Magazine is a national magazine that provides custom builders, architects, and homebuyers with design ideas and resources for the design, construction, and remodeling of one-of-a-kind houses. The online magazine has articles focused on the Best Architects and Best Interior Designers across states like Connecticut, California, and Texas.
As a part of their Texas series, we were selected as one of the top 10 best interior designers. We are humbled to be recognized among such an elite group of talented designers. The designers that made the list are mainly based in Houston and Dallas, with accolades that include the design industry's top honors, including being placed in Architectural Digest's prestigious AD100, published in the top periodicals, and working with A-list clientele. The 10 design companies included on the list are based in Texas, but their work is not limited to the areas of Austin, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio. The designers have worked nationally, and in some cases, even internationally.
CUSTOM HOME's methodology for their selection of the 10 best custom home interior designers is based on recognition the firm has received in the form of awards and press, value of the projects undertook, years in the business, customer reviews for quality and service, and range of services offered. To see the full article, follow this link.
Also, in case you are curious on who is included on the list, here is a quick highlight of the designers that make up the Best Interior Designers in Texas. No doubt you will recognize some names!
If you have a project and are interested in our services, fill out our questionnaire and we will get the process started! We will be closed on Monday, February 19th for a team community volunteer day. We will reopen Tuesday at 11 am!


Unfortunately, it's what Brazilians call political smoke. In other words, nothing but words. Cynical, empty words.
If Dilma had wanted to honour Brazilian women she'd have had more of them in her inner circle. She'd have made more campaign promises. She'd have shifted the subject of gender inequality onto centre stage.
She did nothing of the sort. Dilma made almost no mention of women's issues in the campaign. There was no talk of opening more reproductive health clinics or increasing the number of hospitals offering screening for breast cancer, for example. This campaign video designed specially to appeal to women makes absolutely no firm commitments in the gender sphere.
Worse, Dilma reversed her pro-life stance and came out against abortion after the neandarthal religious lobby criticized her for daring to challenge the church's position.
More than 200 Brazilian women die after desperately attempting illegal abortions each year and another 200,000 are hospitalized from complications arising from botched attempts (as I said in this earlier post).
Reflecting her ambiguous position, leading feminists criticized her and said her campaign did women a disservice by attempting to present her as "the mother" of Brazilians (a strategy she later abandoned).
Women are woefully underrepresented in Brazilian politics. This chart of Women in Parliaments puts more than 100 nations ahead of Brazil in the table measuring female participation in government. Brazil is 106th of 186 nations.
In the Oct. 3 Congressional elections, the number of female Senators went from 11 of 81 to 12. Only 43 of the 513 Deputies are female, LESS than the last Congress, when there were 47.
That percentage is, incredibly, much less than in Rwanda, Mozambique, Uzbekistan or Bulgaria, to name just a few of the nations that outshine Brazil. According to the Women in Parliaments table, of the Western Hemisphere nations, only Haiti and Panama have a lower percentage of women in Congress than Brazil.
It's not too late for Dilma, she can single-handedly deal a blow for gender equality by naming qualified females to her cabinet and to other top posts. She can insist companies employ women and pay they the same salaries as their male peers. She can decriminalize abortion and give women the right to choose what they do with their own bodies.
Her words were cute. But words are not enough.
Abortion is a touchy subject in those anachronistic nations where religious groups still wield power. But I still get frustrated at how Brazil lets the Roman Catholic Church manage the debate on the subject.
That's one of my conclusions after writing this Time magazine story about abortion.
The Church has lost so much moral credibility following recent scandals here in Brazil (and elsewhere) but lily livered and macho Brazilian politicians are afraid to question the Church's hypocritical stance on the issue.
They claim it is a public health issue rather than a moral one but they do nothing to change that, even though 200,000 Brazilian women are hospitalized every year due to serious complications arising from backstreet abortions.
I wrote my piece after reading a recently released study that shows one-in-five Brazilian women of child-bearing age have had an abortion. This, in a nation where the procedure is illegal. See a map here showing how different nations legislate abortion.
The federal government offers everything from condoms and contraceptive pills to vasectomies — all free — in every one of the country's 5,565 municipalities. And states are taking their own steps, as I wrote about here for the Christian Science Monitor back in 2007.
Brazil is on the way to being a modern and progressive nation. It is growing economically, reducing poverty and forging a new role in world affairs. But if it truly wants to be taken seriously it needs to do away with the antiquated and harmful policies that treat its women as criminals.


Many applicants don't understand the importance of the cover letter. After all, if you already include a detailed CV and a more concise and job-tailored resume, do you really need another document that outlines your skills and professional qualifications? It seems like the average employer would appreciate having less to read, not more.
The truth, though, paints a different story. Research shows that the candidates who include tailored and personal cover letters with their application materials are traditionally the ones who get shortlisted for jobs. If you opt not to include a cover letter, then, you might be earning your resume and CV a quick trip to the recruiter's rubbish bin.
At CV Pro, we want to give our clients a better chance of landing a job interview and getting hired. Our experience tells us that a cover letter can never hurt your odds in these categories (and often helps them). Still, writing a compelling cover letter—one that is personable, grammatically sound and persuasive about why you are a strong candidate for the job at hand—is something of a challenge. Which details should you include? How long should the cover letter be? What tone should you adopt for this particular communication?
When you engage CV Pro's cover letter writing service, you take all the doubt and reservation out of the equation. We have written thousands of cover letters in our time, which means that our professional cover letter writers know how to approach them. We are aware of how to customise the cover letter for the employer and job opportunity at hand. We know what tone works for cover letters. We also know the best standards for length and formatting. Additionally, we know how to highlight your relevant skills and qualifications to paint you as an optimal candidate for the job at hand.
In short, we know how to use a cover letter to help you get an interview and get on the hiring short-list for the job of your dreams.
In most cases, our cover letter writers at CV Pro will ask for links to the jobs that you are pursuing. That way, we can learn about the job and the employer and tailor your cover letter so that it is ready to send.
If you are planning to apply for dozens of different jobs, though, then you might prefer a more general cover letter that you can revise and adapt for each opportunity. In such cases, our professional cover letter writing service can take on a less specific slant.
Your letter will still boast optimal length, formatting and tone, and it will still highlight the best qualities that you have to offer an organisation, but will be less geared towards specific job or niche positions. Going forward, you'll just have to open the letter up on your computer and add a few sentences or change a few words to tailor it for a new job opportunity.
Regardless of which cover letter service you choose, you can expect top-tier quality and service from CV Pro. To enquire about our services, give us a call on (03) 9016 0325 (Australia) or (09) 889 1955 (New Zealand) today.


text:
Reading: Wizkid Reveals Crush On Chidinma
Wizkid Reveals Crush On Chidinma
Popular hip hop sensation, Wizkid has revealed his intense infatuation for beautiful petite singer, Chidinma.
The former EME act revealed in a documentary, which is expected to be aired on November 27, 2014 at 6pm on MTV Base Channel 233 and STV at 10pm, saying: he has a thing for Capital Hill singer and MTN Project fame winner.
The new confession which came as a surprise to fans is still a point of discussion for many.
"I've had a huge crush on Chidinma for a long time… she doesn't know it but it's true," Wizkid revealed", Wizkid revealed.
It would be recalled that the 24-year-old beautiful singer, Chidinma recently made it known the kinds of men she cannot marry despite the fact that many of the male entertainers have admitted having a crush on her.


text:
The Spanish love Woody, too
Oviedo, Spain � Woody Allen was named winner of the Prince of Asturias arts prize Tuesday, with the jury citing the "great creative talent" that made the 66-year-old filmmaker a key figure in the history of cinema.
It was only the second time that the $47,080 award has gone to an American. Two years ago, Arkansas-born soprano Barbara Hendricks won it.
The 21-member panel noted the Oscar-winning filmmaker's "independence and his sharp critical sense" in a variety of artistic endeavors.
The Prince of Asturias prizes, named after Crown Prince Felipe, are given annually in eight fields of endeavor � literature, science, sports, arts, humanities, international cooperation, peace and communications.
Aniston lawsuit proceeds
Los Angeles � A federal judge ruled that Jennifer Aniston's lawsuit may go forward against the publishers of two magazines who ran a photo of her sunbathing topless in her back yard.
U.S. District Judge Ronald S. Lew set a trial date for July 2 after allowing Aniston's claims on common law misappropriation of the right of publicity, constructive trust and punitive damages.
However, Lew rejected Aniston's claim of publication of private information because the photograph appeared in European magazines before being circulated in 1999 in Celebrity Skin and High Society.
The 33-year-old "Friends" co-star sued Man's World Publications Inc. and Crescent Publishing Group in August 2000, claiming that a "stalkerazzi" with a telephoto lens scaled a neighbor's wall to take shots of her.
Santa Monica, Calif. � Mel Gibson, who played a police officer in the "Lethal Weapon" movies, gave a $10,000 college savings bond to the stepdaughter of a sheriff's deputy slain in the line of duty.
Gibson recently became a celebrity representative for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Star Organization, a nonprofit relief group formed last year by Sheriff Lee Baca.
Gibson and Baca presented Kayla March, 13, with a $10,000 Series E "Patriot" college savings bond in honor of her stepfather, Deputy David March.
March, 33, was shot to death April 29 during a traffic stop. Sheriff's detectives believe an alleged drug runner killed him.
Acting on students' behalf
Oakland, Calif. � Tom Hanks never had it this good when he started acting at Skyline High School.
Hanks dedicated a renovated theater � complete with high-end lighting and sound equipment and a new grand piano and stage floor � in front of 1,000 cheering students, teachers and fellow alumni. At Hanks' urging, the theater was named after retired drama teacher Rawley T. Farnsworth, whom Hanks credited as an early influence when he accepted the best actor Oscar for "Philadelphia" in 1993.
Hanks gave at least $100,000 for the $465,000 project, the Oakland Tribune reported.


text:
(thing) by mrichich Thu Aug 17 2000 at 3:28:48
Series of benefit concerts started in 1985 by Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, and Willie Nelson. The idea was to raise money to help out family farms which were being deicmated in the Reagan era.
Unlike most of the 80's charity concerts, this one actually survived, and Farm Aid 2000 takes place in Virginia this September. http://www.farmaid.org/ has some interesting information about the history of it, and what they're doing now.
I like it! This writeup has been cooled by:
--OutpostMir--X 1 C!
All Along the Watchtower Grandma's Theme Fast Food Nation NASCAR
SE Asia beer girl phenomenon FFA creed Reagan-era charity extravaganzas John Mellencamp
Hands Across America Sigma Phi Epsilon Foreclosure Neil Young


IBM® Cloud Management and Operations Consulting services provides the help you need to transition to a hybrid cloud environment. Experienced IBM consultants can provide you with a workshop, roadmap assessment, business case creation, architecture design, implementation planning and integration assistance. These services use an IT-as-a-Service (ITaaS) model to help you improve operations and governance, reduce IT costs and understand your investment options.
Let IBM consultants help you design a strategy that leverages the ITaaS operating model for enhanced agility and speed, and reduced operational risk.
Implement, integrate and manage your hybrid environment with a proven methodology and deliverables with the help of experienced consultants.
Implement technology solutions or managed services. It is your choice to use IBM Cloud's full capabilities as well as third-party solutions to help protect your investments.


Pre-heat the oven to 180 C, butter the inside of a 9-inch springform tin and line with buttered parchment paper.
In an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time then add the lemon zest.
Blend the flour, cinnamon and baking powder together in a bowl and add to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat together to form crumbs. Then add the milk gradually and mix to form a heavy batter.
In another bowl, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks then fold carefully into the cake mixture.
Pour the cake mixture into the cake tin and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre can be removed cleanly. Set aside to cool.
Drain the cherries and put aside a cup of the syrup.
Place the cup of syrup in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
Mix the cornflour with the lemon juice and add to the syrup, stirring constantly. When thickened, remove from the heat and add the cherry brandy. Set aside to cool.
On the warm cake, add a layer of cherries then pour over the syrup.
Leave to cool completely before serving best with a big dollop of ice-cream or clotted cream.


text:
Russian classics
Yuri Vorontsov (1914 – 2002)
Yuri Vorontsov (1914 - 2002) - Voronezh guitarist, composer, musicologist and educator. Honored Worker of Culture of the RSFSR (1976). Member of the Union of Composers of the USSR (1962), an honorary member of the Composers' Union of Russia (2000). He was born and lived in Voronezh. He graduated from the Physics and Mathematics of the Voronezh State University. On guitar studied with PS Agafoshina and LV Devyatova. In 1939 I became a student of the All-Union review competition of folk music. During the war he participated in frontline concert brigades. After the war, he taught at the Voronezh of musical school: led guitar classes, ear training, harmony, folk art. He graduated from the Institute of the Composition Department. Gnesinyh.
Yuri Vorontsov disciples were LM Horse - currently leading teacher of guitar class in Voronezh, SN Kordenko - the winner of the international competition, associate professor of the Voronezh State Academy of Arts, LV Karpov - the student of Russian and winner of international competitions, associate professor of the St. Petersburg State Conservatory. NA Rimsky-Korsakov, president of the International Guitar Academy.
Y. Vorontsov was for many years the artistic director of the Voronezh State Philharmonic, lecturer, musicologist of the highest category, the singer-guitarist. Along with that taught at the music school in Voronezh. A few years worked as artistic director of the Voronezh State Russian Folk Choir. He has written for soloists, singers and instrumentalists of the Voronezh choir. The concert orchestra Voronezh Russian Folk Choir for many years sounded Concerto for accordion and orchestra Y. Vorontsov performed by soloist, Honored Artist of Russia-conjugated IM Rudenko.
Y. Vorontsov wrote a number of works for the guitar, he published a collection, which included pieces of his own composition, transcriptions of treatment. He wrote a series of songs based on poems by A. Koltsov. In the last years of his life JV Vorontsov wrote the book "Musicians Voronezh in the pre-revolutionary period," which brought a lot of interesting and previously unknown facts. The book won high public praise.
Almost until the last days of UV Vorontsov was working in one of the music schools of the city of Voronezh and the Voronezh Union of Composers.


10 Amazing Breakfast Ideas for This Thanksgiving!
If you are anything like our family, you have LARGE family gatherings for the holidays, and sometimes that includes family either staying in your home or staying nearby. That means you eat plenty of meals together, so you need some great seasonal ideas to please those grumbling stomachs who expect food and SOON! Enjoy!


text:
home / Blog / Romero Vergara: The Reigning King Of Maquillage
Mar 03, 2020 am ET
Romero Vergara: The Reigning King Of Maquillage
Ariel Allosada Allera
Regine Velasquez is to Philippine Music Industry what Romero Vergara is to Cebu's makeup artistry. Both are pillars of their respective territories. And no matter how saturated their fields are with fledglings, we cannot discount the fact that it's they who paved the way.
That's what I keep saying, albeit more seriously than playfully, to tease the palette pro every time we bump into each other during special occasions or social events such as the recent February 29 Assemblage Art Festival 2020 at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu.
"I'm flattered that you're comparing me with the Asia's Songbird. Regine and I have been around for three decades or so," Romero said. "As a certified icon for gays, Regine has always been one of my favorite singers of all time. And that's not hard for you to understand, because aside from being our best singer in the Philippines, she's also a great makeup artist."
Romero was invited by no less than Dexter Alazas, the splendid fashion designer who had a hand in the recently concluded Assemblage as its creative director: to share his expertise in front of Cebu's beautiful people and makeup enthusiasts.
What was supposed to be a quiet makeup demonstration turned out to be an early evening of fun—and learning, more importantly—as Romero put on his signature black robe, and set up a rather merry ambient by going around the guests spraying Chanel to everyone in the audience before unveiling his Kryolan TV Paint Stick.
"It is very important that not only do we look beautiful with makeup, but we also feel fresh with our favorite scent, " Romero quipped.
Hosting the full-packed Romero Vergara Makeup Demonstration at the Level One of Robinsons Galleria Cebu was the uber eloquent Dexter Alazas. He said that who better to grace the art festival's penultimate day and finale than Cebu's pioneer in the art of makeup?
AD Models Philippines Femme Cheron Kishes Co and Cebu's representative to Miss Earth Philippines 2020, Elsa Trinidad, sat like an artist's canvas in front of maquillage aficionados present that most beautiful evening in town.
On Elsa, Romero showed the audience how a beauty queen's glamour makeup should be done; on Cheron Kishes, he made an avant-garde look which, Dexter said, was quite of a germane style because the model is also a ballerina herself. Both girls expressed how honored they were to have been made up by our Queen City's beauty bigwig.
Since today's sponges and brushes are grappled with by young and talented newbies, Romero is happy for them. "They're lucky because nowadays it's easier for them to be good. With technology, they can watch and learn right away," Romero told this blogger, who also happens to be a makeup buff.
Like a father to his children, Romero shares that it's important for aspiring and budding makeup artists to stay humble, to upgrade their techniques, and to be themselves. "That's the secret to staying long and going far," he said.
Take that from someone who knows, the artist par excellance, the favorite of high-society clients everywhere as far as overseas. His most frequent visit is to the United States, where he's too sought after that he never misses a flight from the East to the West Coast and a ride on a train from one state to another.
Romero remembers his pristine portfolio as a makeup artist being trained by Manila's mentor to today's big names in the industry there. "I will always be thankful to Patrick Rosas. He trained me to believe in myself and to be where I am today."
What he considers his highest achievement as a makeup artist-cum-stylist is the quite a number of glossy fashion and lifestyle magazines his makeup works have landed in.
Those were the days where people bought magazines, thumbed through and flipped their pages, and cut out the photos of their favorite beauty editorial photos. Little did he know that after doing all that before finding his place in the sun, he was bound to see his own masterpieces in countless international magazines in bookstores and publish his own coffee table makeup book.
At fifty-nine, Romero Vergara hardly ever rests on his laurels. "I just want to continue to live my life to the fullest, work thankfully and do it beautifully, and, of course, age gracefully," he throws his used sponge into the bin and calls it a day. "Tomorrow is another day. I can't wait to make someone more beautiful and help her feel more confident in her own skin with a little help from me as her most trusted friend."
One more case of Cultural Misappropriation of Tboli material culture
PHILIPPINE ECONOMY, BACK TO BASIC
ABS-CBN Franchise controversy, a power-play between the two equal branches of the Philippine Government?
Beyond Oprah's ATD talk were meaningful lessons for today's workforce trainers and leaders


text:
/* TEMPLATE GENERATED TESTCASE FILE
Filename: CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68b.c
Label Definition File: CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String.vasinks.label.xml
Template File: sources-vasinks-68b.tmpl.c
*/
/*
 * @description
 * CWE: 134 Uncontrolled Format String
 * BadSource: console Read input from the console
 * GoodSource: Copy a fixed string into data
 * Sinks: vprintf
 *    GoodSink: vprintf with a format string
 *    BadSink : vprintf without a format string
 * Flow Variant: 68 Data flow: data passed as a global variable from one function to another in different source files
 *
 * */

#include <stdarg.h>
#include "std_testcase.h"

#ifndef _WIN32
#include <wchar.h>
#endif

extern char * CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68_badData;
extern char * CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68_goodG2BData;
extern char * CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68_goodB2GData;

#ifndef OMITBAD

static void badVaSink(char * data, ...)
{
    {
        va_list args;
        va_start(args, data);
        /* POTENTIAL FLAW: Do not specify the format allowing a possible format string vulnerability */
        vprintf(data, args);
        va_end(args);
    }
}

void CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68b_badSink()
{
    char * data = CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68_badData;
    badVaSink(data, data);
}

#endif /* OMITBAD */

#ifndef OMITGOOD

/* goodG2B uses the GoodSource with the BadSink */
static void goodG2BVaSink(char * data, ...)
{
    {
        va_list args;
        va_start(args, data);
        /* POTENTIAL FLAW: Do not specify the format allowing a possible format string vulnerability */
        vprintf(data, args);
        va_end(args);
    }
}

void CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68b_goodG2BSink()
{
    char * data = CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68_goodG2BData;
    goodG2BVaSink(data, data);
}

/* goodB2G uses the BadSource with the GoodSink */
static void goodB2GVaSink(char * data, ...)
{
    {
        va_list args;
        va_start(args, data);
        /* FIX: Specify the format disallowing a format string vulnerability */
        vprintf("%s", args);
        va_end(args);
    }
}

void CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68b_goodB2GSink()
{
    char * data = CWE134_Uncontrolled_Format_String__char_console_vprintf_68_goodB2GData;
    goodB2GVaSink(data, data);
}

#endif /* OMITGOOD */

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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text:
Q: Storing textbox values in Database I am new to WordPress but I am good with PHP programmings, if I wanted to get value from the textbox and store it in the database in WordPress can I do?
for ex
form1.html
<form name="form" method="post" action="value_get.php">
<input type="text" id="t1" name="t1">
<input type="submit" value="submit">
</form>

value_get.php
<?php

$firstname = mysqli_real_escape_string($con, $_POST['tb1']);

$con=mysqli_connect("localhost","root","","wordpress");
// Check connection
if (mysqli_connect_errno()) {
  echo "Failed to connect to MySQL: " . mysqli_connect_error();
}

mysqli_query($con,"INSERT INTO wp_exTable (FirstName)
VALUES ('$firstname')");

if (!mysqli_query($con,$sql)) {
  die('Error: ' . mysqli_error($con));
}
echo "1 record added";

mysqli_close($con);
?>

Can I do these things in WordPress? with little tweaking

A: A simple solution to store the value in database would be by using WordPress' add_option() function. It stores the value in the wp_options table in the database.
$firstname = mysqli_real_escape_string( $con, $_POST[ 'tb1' ] );
add_option( 'first_name' , $firstname );
echo "1 record added";

You can then access the value anytime using get_option( 'first_name' ).
If you want to run more customized queries use $wpdb->query(). Read the ẁpdb Codex page for more details.

A: From PHP to WordPress
If you are experienced in programming and in PHP, you know that saving data coming from a form basically involves these steps:

*

*validation

*sanitization

*connection to database

*store value in database

even if "plain" PHP would work for all of them, WordPress has helpers and specific best practices for them.
Validation
This is the only part WordPress won't help you much. PHP is your friend here.
Sanitization
WordPress has different helpers for sanitization.
For data coming from forms, there are different sanitize_* functions, like sanitize_text_field() that you can use. Find them here. Note that not all the functions you'll find in the link are useful for the scope.
Connection to database
In WordPress context, you don't connect to databse. You let WordPress do it, then you use the database API to execute queries on database.
The WordPress database API is summarized in the wpdb object, available in the global $wpdb variable.
There's nothing else to do. WordPress will also take care of close the connection when necessary.
Store value in database
A documentantion on global $wpdb API is available here. As you can see there, there are a lot of methods.
Probably the most useful are the helpers for CRUD oerations:

*

*get_results() / get_row() / get_col() / get_var()

*insert()

*update()

*delete()
It is impoertant to note that data sanitized with sanitize_* functions introduced above, should be escaped with database-specific methods before being saved into database.
For the scope there's the method prepare() that provides a way to escape SQL statements using a sprintf-like syntax.
Form pages and form processing routines
Everything said above is necessary to process the data coming from forms.
However you also need:

*

*a "page" where to place the form

*a "place" where to place form processing routine.

Frontend and backend form pages
In WordPress we can distinguish of two categories of forms: forms who belong in frontent and thosee in who belong in backend.
For frontent forms, you will probably place all the HTML in one of the templates, and that's it.
For backend forms, there are many possibilities.
If you want to store values that releates to a post, you will probably want to add a metabox and place a form there. Actually, in this case you don't use a "full" form, but just form inputs that become part of the whole post edit form.
The same approach can be taken, using specific "hooks", to add fields to edit / creation forms for taxonomies, users and so on. This website and the web in general are full of examples and guidance about this.
In case the data you want to store are completely unrelated to any WordPress core "entity" (for example you are going to build an option page for a custom plugin) you probably want to register an admin page and place the form there.
Form processing
How to process data coming from a form depends on how you printed it.
If you used any of the way to add fields to existing WordPress forms, you can't just use your own routine, but you have to hook the existing routine and process your data.
For example, if you added a post metabox, your fields were added to post edit/creation form, and will need to hook save_post or any other hook fired when WordPress save a post, to check for data coming from your form fields and process them.
If your form comes from frontend, or you created a completely new form in backend, you could be tempted to create a file that process the form.
This won't really work, because you are going to use WordPress environment (remember the $wpdb object?) and so you would need to bootstrap WordPress manually, which is not rellay recommended.
Instead you could:

*

*send the form to the same page that contains the form and place processing code on top of markup. This is really not suggested because mixing processing code and markup code is a mess to maintain.

*send the form to admin-ajax.php (the full URL is obtained via admin_url('admin-ajax.php')) and then use "admin_ajax_{$action}" /  admin_ajax_nopriv_{$action} to hook your routine. See Codex about AJAX_in_Plugins

*send the form to admin-post.php (the full URL is obtained via admin_url('admin-post.php')) and then use "admin_post_{$action}" /  admin_post_nopriv_{$action} to hook your routine

*Use the REST API to register a custom route and then process the form in the REST route handler

On data structure
WordPress has its own tables and a specific data structure.
Using dbDelta function you could create custom tables and the $wpdb object is still able to operate on those, however this should be avoided as possible.
Reason is that custom tables in WordPress are cumbersome to maintain (WP is missing things like migrations or fixtures) and also using custom tables you miss the possibility to use many of WordPress API that is available if you fit your data into WordPress core "Entities".
For example, if your data is related to posts you could use taxonomies or post meta to store them.
If data is user-related data you could use user meta, or terms meta for data related to taxonomy terms.
In case of "generic" data you could use options or you could use theme modifications in case of theme-specific confugration.
If you do so, when you need to retrieve/store data, instead of using wpdb methods you can use specific APIs.
Taxonomies, post meta, term meta, user meta, options, theme modifications... provide methods to interact with data at higher level, simplifing the access to data and providing other benefits like cache, filterability, compatibility with other parts of core (e.g. customizer and REST API), compatibility with plugins...

A: for displaying text box on the front end and storing data in database follow the below steps :

*

*Create a php file in your activated theme folder and put the following code :

*Now Create a page into the Wordpress using page menu on Backend and in Add new Page section you will get the "Page Attribute" section on the right hand side of the page, Now choose the your template page from the Template dropdown and Publish the page.

*Now view the page  and you will find the text box on page.

*Fill the value and save, value will be saved into the database in customized table.

A: Instead of using native PHP functions like mysqli_connect you should make use of the possibilities WordPress offers to do the same. This is better for compatibility and maintainability reasons. Namely you can use the wpdb class, which not only can be used for WordPress' own database tables, but external ones too. For adding new entries you can use the insert() method of the class - for more information see the INSERT rows section on the wpdb Codex page. Below you find some exemplary code:
global $wpdb;
$fname  = $_POST[ 'txt_fname' ];
$lname  = $_POST[ 'txt_lname' ];
$tbl    = 'wp_exTable';
$others = $_POST[ 'txt_email' ];
$wpdb->insert(
    'wp_exTable',
    array(
        'first_name' => $fname,
        'last_name'  => $lname,
        'email'      => $others
    ),
    array(
        '%s',
        '%s',
        '%s'
    )
);

Last but not least, you probably should think about the fact if you are actually in need of an extra table. You could for example make use of post meta like @RamShengale suggested.

A: Please try this code for updating the records in database in wordpress. For this firstly create a file.php inside your selected wordpress folder and then use this file as a template. And this code will work perfectly and if anybody knows the right regular expression for validating the name please suggest me. Thank you all.
<?php /* Template Name: your template name */ ?>

    <link href="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.8/themes/base/jquery-ui.css"
        rel="Stylesheet" type="text/css" />

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Adirondack Race Management was founded by a small group of business professionals and athletes with a vision to host fun and challenging fitness based events in the Adirondack region, for all age groups and experience levels. There are five of us that make up Adirondack Race Management. We are all passionate about living a healthy lifestyle, that includes regular exercise. Training and racing are part of that lifestyle and we wanted to create a way to share our passion with others and inspire them to participate in our challenges.
All five of us have full time jobs and families, which of course, are a huge part of our lives. We rely on family members and friends to rally and help us out with every race. Our goal is to work as hard as possible to put on great events and for everyone to have a great time participating.
Please join us for the next challenge – we hope that you'll enjoy our races and we look forward to putting on many more!


text:
Saudi Al Nassr football club ready to present Ronaldo with three-year deal
NewsSports
By Abdulafeez Olaitan On Nov 27, 2022
Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr football club is reportedly ready to present Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo with a three-year deal after the World Cup ends.
This was reported by CBS Sports citing sources close to the club.
According to the sources, Al Nassr's interest in making things work out is "stronger than ever."
US to top up Lebanon army, police salaries for six months
Ukraine sets sights on fighter jets after securing tank…
Britain adds new designations under Iran sanctions regime
CBS Sports added that the offer is worth $75 million a year.
"Due to contact being initiated over the summer, it is believed talks are relatively advanced but awaiting Ronaldo's final decision. Should he choose to accept the offer, sources tell CBS Sports a deal would not take long to finalize," the media outlet reported.
It also noted that Al Nassr's offer is "understood to be the only formal contract offered to the Portugal international, whose future is expected to remain unresolved until after the World Cup."
Ronaldo parted ways with Manchester United last week and is now a free agent and able to sign with any club.
The move came after he conducted an explosive interview, saying that he felt "betrayed" by the club while also criticizing younger players.
Abdulafeez Olaitan 606 posts 0 comments
Justice department asks Pence to testify in Trump investigation
DRC schedules presidential elections for Dec 2023 amid M23 unrest
Girl, 15, allegedly attacked 2 Long Island nail salon workers


The Fiesta Henderson is located is located a short drive from Lake Las Vegas, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. This hotel & casino has a southwestern theme and is situated in the suburbs of Henderson, Nevada. This AAA 3-Diamond property has affordable room rates, dining options, gaming, and entertainment.


text:
A volatile month for currencies lies ahead – be prepared
Published: Monday 11 June 2018
Sterling suffers from Brexit disagreement
Euro boosted on Italy-EU confirmation
US and global markets await Federal Reserve decision
By Charlie Horsley
June is likely to continue to be a particularly eventful month for currency markets, as we are expecting a hike in US interest rates by the Federal Reserve, a European Central Bank policy meeting and a Brexit Bill vote. All these key announcements pose risks for currency traders and could inject more volatility in the currency markets – you have been warned…
Sterling suffered from more Brexit uncertainty on Friday, when the EU's Brexit negotiator responded to the UK's proposal for avoiding Ireland border issues "raises more questions than answers", saying there is still much to negotiate. This saw the British Pound slide against both the US Dollar and the Euro, as investors focused on the remaining differences between the EU and Britain and further hurdles ahead in agreeing the terms of the EU-UK relationship after the UK leaves the bloc. This Sterling weakness comes ahead of a week in which a crucial Brexit vote in the British parliament and important economic data may determine if the Pound can snap its two-month losing streak.
Today in the UK, we have production and trade figures, but the markets' eyes will already be turning to the US Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday – where it is anticipated that they will increase interest rates again – and the European Central Bank's (ECB) meeting later this week, where talk will revolve around the ECB's monetary stimulus programme.
The Euro bounced as Italian Economy Minister Tria ruled out the idea of the Italians leaving the single market. The markets have generally shrugged of the G7/Trump chaos. Investors will now be focusing on the European Central Bank's decision on the €30 billion asset purchase programme on Thursday this week.
World markets will be watching the forthcoming Federal Reserve meeting with anticipation, as it is expected that the US will up their interest rates once more. This could provide support for the US Dollar against all its key currency pairings, so is a significant announcement to look out for.
#MondayMotivation
UK top for tech
The UK has received some reassuring news about its future as a global business leader. The UK has been awarded the accolade of Europe's tech leader in today's news – very timely at the start of #LondonTechWeek.
UK is overseas investment leader
A new survey by EY also reports that, Brexit or not, the UK remains top in Europe for foreign direct investment, above European powerhouses, Germany and France. London leads the way for foreign investment, followed by Scotland and North West England which have seen significant growth; the Midlands and the South East, which has also upped its game over the past year. Yorkshire and Humber region has seen a big boost from the previous year and follows closely behind Southern England in the number of internationally funded projects secured. Here's hoping all this good news will help support the Pound at some point…
School run
Early one morning, a mother went in to wake up her son.
"Wake up, son. It's time to go to school!"
"But why, Mom? I don't want to go."
"Give me two reasons why you don't want to go."
"Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me also!"
"Oh, that's no reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready."
"Give me two reasons why I should go to school."
"Well, for one, you're 52 years old. And for another, you're the Head Master!"
GBP 09:30 UK: Manufacturing Production -0.1% 0.3%
GBP 09:30 UK: Goods Trade Balance -12.3b -11.5b
GBP 09:30 UK: Construction Output -2.3% 2.4%
GBP 09:30 UK: Industrial Production 0.1% 0.1%


The project, led by six 8th graders and their advisor Ms. Ramona Burton, is multi-layered. First, they had to come up with an idea for their project. The group credits each other as each student brought a different skillset to the project. When discussing their different contributions, the group agreed that each member brought something unique. They identified a creative mind, a story-teller (with a lot of details), a "brainiac," a researcher, and a leader. Together, they felt that everyone's opinion was important and shared in the collaborative effort of the project.
The group developed a flier and each student has taken turns during the morning announcements to promote their project. On their first week, they received 35 jeans. "I was surprised by how many jeans we got. I think we did good marketing and showed the reasons for the project. We also explained what we're going to do with the jeans and how we're going to put them to good use." Yamilka Velasquez. Aside from the amount of jeans received, the group was pleasantly surprised by the types and styles of jeans they received. The students proudly pointed out the different colors aside from the traditional denim, some with flower markings and different styles, and several different name brand jeans. At the rate they are collecting the jeans, they are deciding if they need to sell a few in order to buy more detergent and fabric softener.
Each week, the students take the collections from that week and are in charge of washing, drying, and folding them. Once that is complete, the jeans are sorted and tallied by size and category. The jeans are stored in a classroom until they will ultimately be donated.
"We're not going to put them in the boxes that you see in parking lots. We are going to try to give them to the homeless or to a charity. We're still deciding on which one because we want to make sure they go to the right one." Justin Diaz. The group is still conducting their research and is focusing on organizations that provide evidence-based information about their practices before making a decision.
The next step for the group is developing a sustainability plan. They have spoken with Mrs. Cooper, the 6th grade administrator to get younger students involved. They're hoping to implement a contest through social studies classes highlighting the aspects of civics and community service that result from participation in their project. Aside from their donations, their ultimate goal is to give every student in the school the opportunity to know and be a part of the project.
Eighth grade scholars who are make up this determined group are: Bianca Knox, Dulce Ramos, Yamilka Velasquez, Justin Diaz, Trey-Shawn Henry, Kandis Williams.
If you have gently used jeans that you would like to donate, please stop by the security desk at the entrance of South Middle School during school hours.


text:
Search The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives at The Banff Centre
The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives at The Banff Centre
Fondspfla-2102 - Banff Centre Physical Facilities fonds
Fonds pfla-2102 - Banff Centre Physical Facilities fonds
Banff Centre Physical Facilities fonds
Source of title proper: Title based on contents of the fonds.
pfla pfla-2102
Banff Centre Physical Facilities
0.6 m of textual records. -- 440 photographs. -- 64 technical drawings
Responsible for buildings and grounds maintenance, Physical Facilities was called Building and Grounds until 1992 and Campus Development between 1982-1984. Managers and Directors include Stuart Jones (1966-1978), John Tewnion (1978-1983), Don Hodgkinson (1984-1994), and Bob Whitney (1994-1999).
Fonds consists of administrative files, building and site plans, and building and site photographs.
Some access restrictions may apply in accordance with Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation. Please consult the archivist for more details.
http://www.banffcentre.ca/Library/Archives/descriptions/Facilities.html
Further accruals are expected.
Banff Centre Physical Facilities (Subject)
Banff Centre Physical Facilities (Creator)


Keep your feet warm and dry with classic men's wellington boots. In versatile shades of blue and black, these are perfect for a walk in the woods, or for summer festivals. Protecting your feet from harsh climate is easy with stylish wellies, dressed down in a pair of basic jeans and jacket to keep warm.


text:
'We've made a genuinely great record': Warner Records' Phil Christie on the return of Liam Gallagher
September 20th 2019	at 6:31AM
Warner Records president Phil Christie has spoken to Music Week about his targets for Liam Gallagher's new album, Why Me? Why Not.
The record, which is Gallagher's second solo LP, comes out today (September 20) and has been met with a positive critical response.
"The initial reviews definitely indicate that people consider it a stronger collection of songs than album one and that's the message we want to get out there," noted Christie.
"I want people to recognise that this album is musically better than the last and that we've made a genuinely great record. I want there to be moments and songs on it that are touching people that previously hadn't engaged with Liam's solo stuff - and all those signs are there."
We're gearing up to have a big No.1 album and hope to have a presence in the Christmas market
Phil Christie
He added: "We're gearing up to have a big No.1 album and hope to have a presence in the Christmas market. It's a campaign that will run into the new year."
The album was previewed by the lead single Shockwave, which peaked at No.22, along with three other tracks: The River, Once and One Of Us.
"Shockwave came back and it wasn't far off [Gallagher's debut solo single] Wall Of Glass in terms first-week consumption and chart position, so it definitely connected," said Christie. "We couldn't get away from the fact that we needed to kick the doors in with a rock'n'roll tune.
"The River was a tune that we wanted to play live at Glastonbury, so it made sense as an instant grat, but once we were able to put out Once and One Of Us, it started to show the quality of the record. We've got a track coming out called Now That I've Found You, which is a song for Liam's daughter, Molly, and I think it's the one to really take the campaign into the stratosphere."
Former Oasis frontman Gallagher, who turns 47 tomorrow (September 21), signed to Warner in 2016. Why Me? Why Not is the follow-up to his platinum-selling 2017 solo debut As You Were, which has racked up 397,329 UK sales to date, according to the Official Charts Company.
"The most pleasing thing was that it was a success," reflected Christie. "There's no guarantee when we signed Liam that the campaign was going to connect, that the music was going to be well received, and that he was going to come back with the force that he did, so that was the most pleasing element of it.
"The reason it worked [was that], together, we were able to remind people what a star he is. There was a huge gap in the market for his sort of rock'n'roll personality.
"The other reason it worked was because he's got an amazing aptitude for social media and we were able to tap into an audience that probably hadn't engaged with him for a long time."
Subscribers can click here to read more on the Why Me? Why Not campaign from Christie and UROK's Sam Eldridge, who manages the singer with Gallagher's partner, Debbie Gwyther.
Liam Gallagher,
Phil Christie,
Oasis co-manager Alec McKinlay talks Knebworth and building an 'evergreen part of the catalogue'
The Ultimate Seminar confirms London event in November 2021
Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil on their lockdown album


text:
The Sweetest Fig
Chris Van Allsburg (Author)
FORMAT
Hardcover$19.99$18.39(English)

Hardcover$45.60(Chinese)

These figs are very special, the woman whispered. They can make your dreams come true. -- Thus Monsieur Bibot, the cold-hearted dentist, was given two ordinary-looking figs as payment for extracting a tooth from an old woman's mouth. Monsieur Bibot refused to believe such nonsense and proceeded to eat one of the figs for a bedtime snack. Although it was possibly the finest, sweetest fig he had ever tasted, it wasn't until the next morning that Monsieur Bibot realized it indeed had the power to make his dreams come true. While dragging his poor dog, Marcel, out for his walk, he discovered that his strange dream from the night before was becoming all too real. Determined to make good use of the second fig, Monsieur Bibot learns to control is dreams. But can he control Marcel? Once again Chris Van Allsburg explores the mysterious territory between fantasy and reality in an uncanny tale that will intrigue readers of all ages.
8.76 X 11.34 X 0.35 inches | 0.94 pounds
Animals - Dogs
Bedtime & Dreams
Chris Van Allsburg is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as the recipient of a Caldecott Honor Book for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. The author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children, he has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's literature. In 1982, Jumanji was nominated for a National Book Award and in 1996, it was made into a popular feature film. Chris Van Allsburg is a former instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design. Visit him at chrisvanallsburg.com.
"Van Allsburg swings back into his most mystifying mode with this enigmatic, visually sophisticated tale . . . A significant achievement." Publishers Weekly, Starred
Children's Books - Kindness to the kids in your life VIEW LIST (99 BOOKS)


text:
Béa Fertility Raises £800K to Bring At-Home Fertility Treatments to the UK
By Femtech Insider Fertility, Investment, News, Uncategorized April 5, 2021
Healthcare startup Béa Fertility has announced a £800K raise to bring a pioneering at-home fertility treatment to the UK. The round was led by Calm/Storm VC and joined by Q Ventures, and includes an innovation grant from the recent InnovateUK SMART competition.
Founded by embryologist David O'Rourke and femtech specialist Tess Cosad, Béa Fertility is focused on democratising access to affordable, effective fertility treatments for couples and individuals who are struggling to conceive. It is estimated that infertility affects 1 in 7 heterosexual couples in the UK.
Currently, the next step for those who are unable to conceive naturally is to receive either Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatments at a fertility clinic; interventions which can take a physical and emotional toll on those involved. It also presents a financial burden. Whilst some people are eligible for initial IVF treatments through the NHS, this provision is patchy and contingent on meeting a range of criteria. Those who don't qualify or who need to continue on their conception journey after that point must cover the costs themselves. One cycle of IVF can cost upwards of £5,000 and one IUI treatment can cost upwards of £1,500.
Through their product, Béa Fertility will create a new step on this fertility pathway. For those struggling to conceive naturally, the Béa product will enable couples to carry out what's called "IntraCervical Insemination" (ICI) at home. Béa's ICI method involves placing a small cup of semen close to the cervix, where it's left in-situ for 4-12 hours. During that time, women can go about their days normally.
Following over 90 design iterations led by some of the UK's leading embryologists, the Béa team believe that their method will improve the chances of conception by 40% if used over 3 months, and by as much as 60% if used over 6 months. The ICI method has been scientifically proven to have similar efficacy rates to IUI treatments.
Béa Fertility will operate on a monthly subscription basis, providing users with: two ICI devices, (for a widely-approved clinical method called Double Insemination), ovulation tests, pregnancy tests, and access to an app to help track ovulation dates and the progress of their fertility journey. The subscription will cost around £300 per month, meaning 5 months of the Béa ICI treatment will be the same price of one round of IUI at a fertility clinic (and currently the lowest cost treatment available).
Béa CEO and Co-Founder, Tess Cosad, comments: "Our mission at Béa is to democratise access to effective fertility treatments; providing people with more options. ICI is clinically proven to be highly effective when it comes to increasing the chances of conception, but it's not made available to people at the beginning of their fertility journey. Instead, they have to take a big leap into the expensive world of invasive treatments. But for people where there's no medically-identified issue causing infertility, ICI can be the ideal way of maximising their chances of getting pregnant. We're designing a product that enables people to do this easily and affordably, all from home. Infertility is sadly still a taboo and something we don't talk enough about, meaning people often struggle through it alone. There's something so empowering about taking your fertility journey into your own hands, and this is why I'm so passionate about launching Béa Fertility. Through Béa, we're breaking down barriers, driving inclusion, improving access, and fundamentally cracking open the fertility market."
David O'Rourke, Béa Co-Founder and embryologist, adds: "I've spent many years working in fertility and feel passionately about widening access to a bigger range of treatments. I knew that ICI interventions had strong rates of success, but that they'd fallen by the wayside as fertility clinics focused on the more expensive IUI and IVF end of the market. That sparked the idea for an ICI treatment that could be easily handled by the couple, at home, helping them take control over the next step of their journey to conceive. We've gone through over 90 iterations of the product to reach the right balance of effectiveness and user-friendliness and we can't wait to start helping couples improve their chances of having a baby."
The Béa Fertility ICI Kit will be available later this year.
Investment, News, Pelvic Health September 2, 2021
Cleveland-based Pelvic Health Startup Renalis Raises a 800K Pre-Seed Round
Ecosystem, News January 19, 2023
Fermata Releases a New Femtech Market Map of Southeast Asia


text:
scientology.
Why does Scientology bother me so fucking much? I mean, if a bunch of idiotic celebrities with loads of cash to burn want to belong to some dipshit cult involving aliens and reincarnation and—I don't know—unicorns, then more power to them, right? This is a free country. (In theory.) Why is it any more galling than Roman Catholicism—a dusty, anachronistic front for pedophiles—or Protestantism—which is really just an ideological rationalization for rednecks to persecute dissenters when racism, homophobia, and nationalism grow tiresome. So why in the hell am I picking on Scientology, when in fact its followers are numerically insignificant and the religion itself is a punchline in much of our society? Good question, Hypothetical Reader...
Katie Holmes was of course the one who got me thinking about Scientology again—which I try to avoid because it inevitably leads to an impotent rage. Of all the kinds of rages to have, the impotent ones are the worst. Why can't Scientology be a porcelain vase that I can take to the back patio and smash to bits with a hammer? I can keep pounding on the individual shards (while wearing suitable eye protection, naturally) until all that's left is a fine dust. And I can run my fingers through the dust and rub it across my face and cackle with malicious glee until my voice resounds throughout the neighborhood. (By then, an audience of neighbors will have gathered on an adjacent lawn to confer with each other. In my crazed eyes, they see their property values plummeting.)
I've given this some thought, and here's what I've come up with: The major religions, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and so on, are old religions, and as such, their origins are obscure to us. We are not acquainted in any meaningful with the thought processes of the founders of the faiths; all we have are ancient texts (narrative or didactic and proscriptive in nature) conceived in the early days of these long traditions, vetted by history, custom, and one's ancestry. In fact, the lifespan of these religions lends them, to a modern adherent, a timeless and universal quality. They do not seem like invented doctrines but merely the interpretation and transcription of natural (and, yes, supernatural) truth. I do not agree with this understanding of religion or any of its justifications, but the impetus to faith certainly seems more persuasive in this light. The occluded origins, the burden of inheritance, and the implied connectedness to ancient (primitive—or primal) peoples reassures us somewhat, even if these are not actual reasons which can withstand the scrutiny of skepticism.
Now, let's think about Scientology by way of contrast. The 'religion' was founded as recently as the 1950s and owes its inception to one man, L. Ron Hubbard, who died in 1986. I mention the year of his death to highlight the fact that no doubt many people are alive today who have spoken personally to L. Ron Hubbard. There remains a once-removed connection to the source of Scientology; that is how new it is. The question I'm leading up to is this: since Scientology was founded in an age of scientific scrutiny and it was developed by one man, how are we to understand this one man's relationship to such an obscure, scientifically unfounded 'truth'? The origins of Christianity are mysterious—of an entirely different age, during which we often (mythically) suppose that humankind had greater access to nativist truth. This cultural foundation, distant and mystical, is rendered all the more convincing because it is incomprehensible. This seems paradoxical at first, but since we feel alienated from our ancient heritage, since we can not speak its language or question it on its own terms (because we don't even know how), we are more inclined to take its word for it. The immanent truth of Christianity, for instance, has been translated among countless cultural languages—not languages of the alphabet, of course, but the extended languages which comprise the underlying systems which derive a given culture. In other words, since we can not 'read' the origins of the old religions, we must trust the narratives which convey its meaning as nearly as possible.
Now Scientology is another story altogether. Not so long ago this man L. Ron Hubbard lived in our world—the world we live in, by and large, today. He was available to be asked, 'What the fuck are you smoking, L.?' His worldview incorporated: reincarnation; a creation story asserting that the universe was formed for the amusement of primordial thetans; a spiritual amnesia—resulting in humans failing to recall their (essentially divine, omniscient) thetan nature; and an intergalactic tyrant named Xenu who lived millions of years ago. W—as the kids say—TF? You can't actually expect anyone to jump on this bandwagon can you, Mr. Hubbard? We're just supposed to (I guess) take your word for it—because you say so? Through what means or on what basis were these things revealed to you? You, after all, live in our world; we're required to ask—we're required to doubt—we're required to put you away in a mental institution, in fact. Delusions of grandeur, anyone?
When we have a close encounter with a religion's birth, there is no smokescreen of primitivism or mysticism to hide it from our scrutiny. It is naked and ugly in the unforgiving light of the moment—our moment. We can see that you're the man behind the curtain, Mr. Hubbard. There are no ancient rituals, no beautiful cathedrals and temples. This is it. You're just standing there, talking to us about aliens, reincarnation, and cheesy pop psychology. And you expect us to—what? Give you thousands and thousands of dollars so we can advance in your 'religion'? This is too much. Too much for satire even. If an author dreamt up such a ridiculous satirical novel nowadays, he'd be criticized as over-the-top and obvious. No one is ever going to go for any of this bullshit. Maybe you could pull that off in Medieval times when people were boring holes in the skull to let the evil spirits out, but now...? No fucking way.
Well... it all just goes to show you... Never underestimate the stupidity of human beings.
Isn't that right, Tom Cruise?
Can you just imagine how frothing-at-the-mouth pissed-off he is right now? He's probably twitching and sputtering and firing people. I like to visualize his impotent rage. It's a small but real consolation to mine.
excreted by David at 6:55 PM
chewing status:
file under: religion, scientology
À LA RECHERCHE DU BLOGS PERDU
chick-fil-a part 1.
vacation.
bad porn! 2: electric boogaloo.
diagramming bieber fans.
hair.
the hautiest couture around.
the psychology of liberalism.
writer's block.
a portrait of the sandwich artist as a young man.
art without fear.
re: the lone gunman.
the girl at the taco bell drive thru.
the mistake.
nocturnal transmission.
to woody with love.
supreme douchebag.
haberdashery gung ho.
act one part one.
persona.
racism for the new millennium.
bedtime story.
dead or alive.
the blame game.
show 'n tell.
three wonderful terrible movies.
erik satie.
the gambler.
photography of gregory crewdson.
if you have to ask...
suicide notes.
nigerian pen pal.
bad porn! bad!
gertrude stein.
hypothetical reader.
clip art. a retrospective.
twilight of the idols.
cocorosie.
one stop shopping.
obscene chewing.
narcissism redux.


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Britain's huge growing army of chocolate egg lovers will have more choice than ever before when the treats are launched this week.
This year Tesco will have nearly 70 chocolate egg and other seasonal confectionery products on sale to cater for the growing market pre-New Year market – 20 more than it did in 2010.
Last year the supermarket sold nearly 200,000 Cadbury's Crème Eggs and nine tonnes of mini eggs in the five days between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.
Chocolate egg demand immediately after Christmas is driven by a combination of their incredible popularity and the fact that they are only on shelves for three months. Retail experts also believe that fans are eager to get their festive season chocolate fill before going on diet in January.
Tesco seasonal confectionary buyer James Marshall said: "Chocolate eggs are one of our most popular sweet treats immediately after Christmas and that's because they are only on shelves for a relatively short time.
Cadbury's Crème eggs, which will be sold by Tesco for 60p each, were launched in 1971 and are popular around the world. Annual UK sales are in excess of 200 million eggs, with a further 100 million exported around the world.
Despite its size the Crème Egg is a giant amongst chocolate eggs. It is the most popular chocolate single in unit sales between January and Easter – achieving one third higher sales than the next biggest chocolate product.
An incredible 1.5 million Crème Eggs are made each day at the Cadbury factory in Bournville, Birmingham, and if you piled all the Crème Eggs made in a year on top of each it would be 10 times higher than Mount Everest.