A fire alarm system is number of devices working together to detect and warn people through visual and audio appliances when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide or other emergencies are present. These alarms may be activated automatically from smoke detectors, and heat detectors or may also be activated via manual fire alarm activation devices such as manual call points or pull stations. Alarms can be either motorized bells or wall mountable sounders or horns. They can also be speaker strobes which sound an alarm, followed by a voice evacuation message which warns people inside the building not to use the elevators. Fire alarm sounders can be set to certain frequencies and different tones including low, medium and high, depending on the country and manufacturer of the device. Most fire alarm systems in Europe sound like a siren with alternating frequencies. Fire alarm sounders in the United States and Canada can be either continuous or set to different codes such as Code 3. Fire alarm warning devices can also be set to different volume levels. Smaller buildings may have the alarm set to a lower volume and larger buildings may have alarms set to a higher level.
• Fire detection devices are built to detect one or a combination of these components. While all components are necessary for a fire to exist, all components may not exist at a detectable threshold. Detectors will be selected that will detect the elements that may exist in a fire for the ambient conditions that are present. It also should be realized the similar non-fire components might exist in the same ambient conditions, which could cause unfavorable false alarm conditions.
• Devices used for fire detection include smoke detectors, thermal detectors, flame detectors, fire-gas detectors, and other devices.
• Smoke detectors sense visible or invisible particles of combustion generated by burning, smoldering, or the incipient stage of combustion. These devices fall into two categories — photoelectric and ionization.
• Thermal detectors sense the high temperature or the temperature rise caused by a fire.
• Flame detectors sense the radiation produced by a fire.
• Fire-gas detectors sense the gases produced by a fire.
• Other detectors sense some phenomenon other than smoke, thermal, flame, or fire-gas to detect a fire.
There are three types of smoke detectors: Ionization, photoelectric, and combination.
The ionization smoke detector is widely used. Its capability to detect smoke originating from fire is best utilized for clean-burning fires that produce small particles during combustion.
The ionization smoke detector consists of an alpha particle producing a radioactive source, a smoke chamber, and charged detector plates.
A photoelectric smoke detector is the most common smoke detector used today. It detects smoke by using either the principle of light obscuration or light scattering. Its capability to detect smoke originating from fire is best utilized for fires that produce large particles during combustion.
Spot type photoelectric smoke detectors using the light obscuration principle have a light emitting device, usually a light-emitting diode (LED), a smoke chamber, and a photosensitive device that receives the light directly from the light source and produces a monitored current.
Spot type photoelectric smoke detectors that use the light scattering principle are constructed similarly to the detectors that use the light obscuration principle except that the photosensitive device is set so that it cannot see the light source directly. When smoke enters the chamber, the smoke particles reflect the light from the source into the photosensitive receiver. When sufficient light intensity is detected, the alarm is triggered.
Beam smoke detectors are line-type photoelectric detectors consisting of a separate light source and photosensitive receiver. These devices are usually installed in large open areas where there is an unobstructed line of sight between the light source and the receiver and where the use of spot-type detectors would be economically unfeasible due to the number of detectors required.
It uses a network of pipes to continuously draw air samples and direct them to a central smoke detector.
The system operates with a network of sampling pipes that extend into the protected area. The pipes are usually made of a thermoplastic material. An internal aspirator continuously draws air into the piping network. The systems use either a filter assembly or laser particle counting technology to filter out airborne dust and debris particles, which helps to eliminate false readings.
Typical fixed temperature spot-type smoke detectors contain a bimetallic switch element that closes at a specified temperature limit. The switch is normally composed of two metals, each having a different temperature coefficient of expansion. As this bimetallic element heats the metal with higher coefficient of expansion, it causes the switch to bend or curve, closing the switch; thus indicating an alarm condition.
Line type thermal detectors are cables that detect heat along their entire length. A line type thermal detector may consist of two wires that are separated by an insulator. After the heat builds to a certain level the insulation melts, allowing the wires to touch and current to flow, initiating an alarm.
The rate-of-rise detector measures the change in the temperature of the space through the use of a differential pressure switch. This switch contains an air chamber separated for the air in the ambient space by a flexible diaphragm. As air in the ambient space changes temperature, the air pressure increases, creating a differential pressure across the diaphragm.
The air chamber is constructed with a calibrated leak so that normal temperature and pressure fluctuations within the room space adjust across both sides of the diaphragm and will not cause the alarm contacts to close. During a fire, the air temperature rises at a rate faster than normal, causing an increase on the room side of the diaphragm diaphragm. The leak cannot compensate, and therefore the diaphragm moves and closes the detector contacts.
Rate-compensated thermal detectors are devices that are designed to activate at a predetermined temperature in a space regardless of the rate at which the temperature in the space increases. This is accomplished by compensating for the thermal lag between the room temperature and the interior of the device.
At a slow rate-of-rise in temperature, the outer tube expands drawing the contacts closer together. The inner metal device exerts a counter force, keeping the contacts separated until the entire device has been heated to its rated temperature.
At a rapid rate-of-rise in temperature, the outer tube expands faster than the inner device can compensate. Therefore, the alarm contacts close when the entire device has been heated to a lower level, thus compensating for thermal lag.
Flame detectors are used to detect the light radiation component of a fire. Typical detectors of this type detect the wavelength of either IR or UV or a combination of the two. These detectors are extremely fast acting and are used in areas where rapidly occurring fires or explosions could occur.
These detectors respond to the various gases produced during the combustion process.
The Fire-Gas detector employs two types of technology to predict the fire. One method uses a semiconductor material that changes the metals conducting potential in a fire situation. The other method uses a catalytic element encased in an aluminum bead.


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France is a country famous for its food. The eating of a meal is regarded not only as a necessity but as one of life's great pleasures. Great care is taken to prepare beautiful food, and then to enjoy it in a leisurely fashion. It is for these reasons that eating out is a popular pastime in France.
Although there are plenty of vegetables and beans, the French have a fairly meat-based diet. Beef, chicken, lamb, veal, pork, duck, rabbit, horse, bull and goose are all found in traditional dishes. In general, French cuisine changes with the region. In the north, one may find that food is cooked more richly with butter and cream, and there is a greater use of potatoes and other starches. In the south, one finds simpler dishes cooked in olive oil with tomatoes and garlic. In the southwest, the cuisine is also lighter, with an emphasis on casseroles, cassoulets, white beans, and goose.
Generally, the décor of a restaurant is important to the French, and much attention is paid to the atmosphere in the room. Lunch is served from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., and dinner is served from 7:00 p.m. to around midnight. Those working in offices normally are given an hour for lunch. Restaurants generally offer both an à la carte and a set menu. The set menu is the less expensive option and normally includes an appetizer, main course, dessert and choice of beverage.
In addition to the many four-star restaurants for which France is famous, there are a wide variety of other dining options. There are both French chains of popular, inexpensive restaurants, as well as many small individually owned restaurants featuring either regional or international cuisine. Among the choices of ethnic food are North African, Spanish, Italian, and Asian cuisines, among others. In addition, restaurants that specialize in seafood are numerous, particularly near the coast.
Fast foods have become somewhat popular in France; however, they are more adapted to French culture and include salads and sandwiches that reflect the regional cuisine. Tearooms are nicely decorated rooms that offer light menus such as quiche and sandwiches and are only open for lunch. Brasseries are popular restaurants that have both a café and an eating section.
Wine is traditionally consumed with every meal. In restaurants, it can be bought by the bottle or by the carafe called a pichet. It is never considered rude not to drink, and other traditional beverages such a mineral water, juice, soda and coffee are always available. Tipping is an option in France. There are no set rules about the amount, which is left to the diner's discretion.
"May I Book a Table?"
"Hello, I'd Like to Reserve a Table"
"Shall We Go to a Bar or a Cafe?"
"What Kind of Juices Do You Have?"


The level of Body Consciousness with the BKs are way more than what you would find from a non-BK and even an atheist. And these are the folks who are acting as a spiritual organization and deceiving the gullible and enhancing the crooked and business minded.
Here is a post on the passing of a BK (Bless this Soul), that reeks of Body Consciousness and totally unrelated to any "original" BK principles and values. It is actually something that you can find with many people around the world, showing resilience, hard work etc etc the BKs are now "Celebrating" the Sister's life ... whatever that might mean.
NOTE: This is not intended in any sense directed towards the departed Soul. It is intended to show the falsehood in the current BK organization.
Her beloved mother's name was <...>and her Father's name was <...>. She was raised with her older Sisters, and her younger Brother. Since her mother was Catholic and her Father was Jewish, "Sister" went on to explore religion in her own way. It was important to her to know God - so much so that even though "Sister" couldn't afford the tuition, she still found a way to Hebrew lessons at the synagogue so she could learn more. Even though formal education really did not hold "Sister"'s attention, she always yearned for training in the arts, and she was artistically talented throughout her life. Her creativity knew no bounds.
When she was younger, "Sister" loved being the one in the spotlight who drew people in. She was the life of the party. In high school, her beauty and charisma drew the attention of her school mates and "Sister" was crowned Miss Yonkers High School. Even in high school, "Sister" was determined to explore be adventurous, and to live life to the fullest. One story "Sister" shared was how she decided which classes she would take in high school. She was determined never to take a typing class. And, she made it very clear what her reason was. "Sister" was determined never to be able to fall back into the job of being a secretary. On the contrary, "Sister" wanted to be a trailblazer. She could often be heard saying, "Ready Fire Aim." "Sister" embodied the essence of determination and courage.
After graduating from high school, "Sister" was on the move to California where she took college courses and loved soaking up everything she could. Befriending a group in California who was going to Hawaii, "Sister" joined the group and was off on her next adventure - Hawaii. Here she lived off the land for about a year enjoying the beauty of her teepee and the rich black sand of the beaches of Maui. In Hawaii, she experienced an incident when someone stole her belongings; yet, and so true to her spirit, "Sister" experienced immense liberation in this time of owning nothing.
After Hawaii, "Sister" moved to Florida.
As time moved on, "Sister" continued to dream, to challenge herself, and to overcome any and all obstacles. She absolutely always gave everything her all. It was no surprise when at the age of 20 - when all the other little girls had already had years of ballet lessons - that "Sister" decided to pursue her love of dance and studied ballet. She never once stopped to think how far behind she was. "Sister" always focused on how far she could go. And she did! "Sister" became a ballerina, and performed on-point with a ballet company. Touring after four years of ballet training is absolutely unheard of especially at an age when many ballerinas are retiring. Along the way she also learned how to play the flute and the guitar. "Sister"'s success reflects her own personal commitment, dedication and her own personal motto: NEVER GIVE UP!
At the same time, "Sister" continued her quest to know God and frequently gathered with a small circle of meditators in Florida. In this group, she also met a 2 1/2 year old child, <...>, and her mom, <...>.They would all remain connected for the rest of "Sister"'s life. The meditation gathering was held in a ladies exercise studio and was led by a woman who had profound experiences when her husband passed away. It is here that "Sister" came to understand the three keys of knowing God were: Meditation, Vegetarianism, and Celibacy. And this understanding came to "Sister" 20 years before coming to Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga.
"Sister"'s pursuit of dance training led her to Chicago where she did ballroom dancing, and where she met her husband to be, husband. Together, they settled in Florida, where she gave birth to her beloved son, son; "Sister" relished every aspect of motherhood. Along with motherhood, "Sister" continued to embrace her passion for the arts. In addition to dancing, "Sister" loved to express herself as an actress on the stage; how thrilled she was - and how honored she felt - when cast as the leading lady in many plays. Philosophy was yet another source of exploration for "Sister". She explored many different philosophies, and read different scriptures about different paths to God. Also, "Sister" spent some time in Missouri with the Unity training that is an aspect of mystical Christianity.
After a point, "Sister" made the decision to move to California with her son so she could more fully pursue her aspirations of acting. While there, "Sister" also worked as a director and choreographer. At this time, and as exciting as the dreams of theater may be, "Sister" felt the intense pull of spirituality which drew her to a form of meditation - one that went beyond all the physical masks and reached to the depth of spirituality within the soul. Ultimately, "Sister" would leave California and travel to India. Having heard from husband about the Raja Yoga meditation, "Sister" was eager to learn and decided to travel with husband and son to India to the headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. Always ready for any challenge, "Sister" studied and learned the entire Foundation Course while on the Airplane to India.
The Knowledge "Sister" gained with this experience struck a chord deep within her, and very soon after, son and "Sister" decided to move back to Florida from California to open a Meditation Center in Delray Beach Florida with husband. "Sister" was the Center coordinator of the Transformation Station with the symbol of the caterpillar transforming to a butterfly at its forefront. Soon after starting to study with the Brahma Kumaris, "Sister" had a major stroke at the age of 42, which completely paralyzed her right dominant side for some months and which partially impaired her right side of the body for the rest of her life. So often, "Sister" told others that she absolutely "never experienced a moment of sorrow from the stroke" even though her beautiful ballerina body had now been transformed practically overnight from the steroids - medicine from which she gained 60 pounds and she now had a limp. Such dramatic physical changes could understandably bring anger and sorrow but not for "Sister". She understood this experience as one of the best things that could have happened to her in the realm of spirituality. "Sister" understood very clearly and viscerally that she was a soul with a body; she was the soul not the body.
Overnight, "Sister" could no longer dance, her balance was off, and her physical appearance had dramatically changed. And yet, it was precisely at this time that "Sister" came to understand - in the deepest and richest sense - precisely what true happiness really is. "Sister" understood that we are souls with a body and not a body with a soul. She wrote a book, The World is Full of Sorrow but You Don't Have to Be. Impaired by her stroke but determined as ever she painstakingly used used one finger, moving over the keyboard.
Although the effects of her stroke may have presented some challenges, "Sister" remained determined not to let any physical changes hold her back. Always eager to learn, "Sister" picked up a paintbrush at son's urging - adjusting to using her left hand after the stroke. As her Sister always told her, ""Sister" your artistic signature is the poignancy of the soul as captured through your presentation of the eyes one look at the eyes and you knew it was a "Sister" Bhen creation." She channeled her artistic ability into painting which she found she loved. It was also after her stroke that "Sister" enrolled in Full Sail University and pursued a bachelor of science degree in graphic design. Again, not one to limit herself, "Sister" graduated at the age of 60 as Valedictorian of her class, and was awarded the Advanced Achievement Award. When she delivered her acceptance speech "Sister" spoke from her heart and shared with everyone the importance of never giving up and overcoming obstacles.
After sharing her message, everyone stood and shared their hearts with "Sister". After graduating, "Sister" continued to stretch and to grow in her knowledge of graphic design and went on to illustrate books and work on a variety of freelance projects. If at any time a project required technique with which "Sister" was unfamiliar, she simply did everything in her power to learn everything she could - every single project was given absolutely all she could "Sister" set her own high bar.
"Sister"'s journey of self transformation was a life-long journey. As part of this process, and as part of the natural teacher she was, "Sister" loved to share her own experiences with the meditation students over the last 25 years. She did so with a love and joy in her heart and remained true to her own philosophy: the impossible can become possible...for what is not possible with God.
There are many highlights of "Sister"'s life - relationships and special moments experienced with joy and love the day her beloved son stood on the beach and exchanged his wedding vows with his own beloved Suzy is an especially beautiful memory. Her son son married Suzy on the beach in a beautiful ceremony and some Years later the birth of her precious grandson William was an overwhelming gift so like "Sister", she poured her love for William into a beautiful lullaby that she wrote just for him.
So many beautiful moments were shared with husband's daughter, Malaika - who called "Sister" her beloved Meme "Sister". Malaika has had the privilege to train in music and dance from a young age and "Sister" so enjoyed nurturing Malaika's talent and attending Malaika's dance performances, school programs and musical recitals.
"Sister"'s life is a life that she celebrated. It is a life that she traveled with dignity, love, courage and gratitude we now celebrate your life, "Sister". We thank you for sharing your journey with us Om Shanti.
See the attached photo which the details are self explanatory.
Besides your main point there oldbk, that some BKs are more equal than others, that some are more celebrated than others, what I took from reading that eulogy was that "Sister" was a talented person who achieved a great deal before encountering the BKs and continued to live her life in the same spirit after she met the BKs.
That is, the BKs were incidental to her life, or even a mere coincidence.
The wording also reveal to me the newer Western ecumenical approach to their beliefs. They don't really care about the Gyan and the srimat that distinguishes the BKs from any other New Age spiritual organisation, even those that never claim to have a monopoly on a connection to God.
In fact, it an embarrassment in every situation other than when they are in their own company.
oldbk wrote: See the attached photo which the details are self explanatory.
... and there is no photograph.
I am the class cynic.
At some point the BKs realised that doing eulogies for funerals was good for business and either sweetened up the "lokik" (physical) family - for where the BK had left everythng in their Will to the Kirpalani Klan, or was good for PR and donations ... and what with Destruction not happening soon enough, boy, they have a lot of them to deal with.
Lekhraj Kirpalani wrote: "If your mother dies, eat Halva"
Meaning, if someone you loved/who loves you dies, don't feel anything, just be detached and eat party food. And - from a BK point of view - all her bad luck, and especially her early departure from BKism, was due to her previously sinful lives. Let's face it, this one's not even going to make it into the BKs' Golden Age, is she? Has "Silver Aged soul" written all over her Maya. (An ironic comment on the BK values system).
The speech is incoherently illogical from a BK point of view. My guess is, it suffers from being written for two audiences; a BK one and a non-BK one.
How much money did she have?
How much money did they get off her death?
No money, no Bhog message.
Fantastic lady for how she lived, basically ZERO of it anything to do with BKism. You can hear the Jewish/Irish grit in her speach.
It was intentional ... The intent was to highlight the one liner rather than the individual referred to in the one liner.
"You can put lipstick on a pig, but a pig is still a pig" !!!
ex-l wrote: At some point the BKs realised that doing eulogies for funerals was good for business ... and what with Destruction not happening soon enough, boy, they have a lot of them to deal with.
I followed the link ... so, Nick Gent recently died. He stayed a BK till the end of his life. I met him when he became a BK, even spent quite a bit of time with him. I wonder how people reconcile the beliefs they adopted with the obvious truth that reality wounds them with, eventually even mortally. He really was one who "continually used Gyan to remain cheerful " ie in my experience he drove people (some of his irish "brethren") nuts with his superiorly asserted and actually dismissive gyan-based responses (often really unnecessary) that should have irritated me more but I just observed it happening as I wasn't part of their relationship's dynamics and interactions (what some would call 'karmic accounts', also dismissively).
Although he was genteel, very friendly and generous to most people, he seemed a lonely person (from what I could 'feel') albeit that was possibly from being "in-charge" (ambition and position can do that). He dealt with it, I remember, by often making a big deal about self-discipline and sacrifice because of "The Time" (Sangam Yuga) and would refer to the tougher disciplines he'd followed when he was a serious hatha yogi disciple (romanticising or idealising denial and austerity).
Except for the very few, BKism or monasticism can be only be, at best, a barely satisfactory substitute for real relationships, so it was no surprise that he eventually went into 'early retirement' with a BK female companion.
Hopefully there was warmth, honesty, vulnerability, love and true friendship there.
Looking further down that list I recognised even a number of Indian BKs that I had met all those years ago.
People's lives, whole lives, all lived up and nothing left, all done with.
Pink Panther wrote: BKism ... a barely satisfactory substitute for real relationships, so it was no surprise that he eventually went into 'early retirement' with a BK female companion.
I noticed that and wondered what it meant. I, too, hope they both found some real love, warmth and gentleness together.
BKWSU wrote: In 2014 a non-residential centre was opened in the centre of Dublin and Nick moved to Rooskey where he stayed with Vera, herself a long term, faithful child of Baba. He continued to be very active in all aspects of Baba's service in several areas of the country.
Rooskey to Dublin is a couple of hours drive away.
What is a "a non-residential centre" ... a shop? They call it a "Meditation and Personal Development Centre" ... so the old model of having BK adherents living in a house, paying the mortgage and running it as a centre is passing. I wonder if they are selling the properties for a tidy profit and then investing in commercial properties instead ... but where do the BKs who used to live there go?
To rent, or to pay a mortgage on another property? Gone are the days of Sisters having to roll up there beds and turn their bedrooms into classrooms in order to indoctrinate the next generation of BKs.
The guys who run it are lovely, though one did try and explain karma in what was the most novel way I've ever heard - if you kill someone when driving, then they killed you in a previous life by some form of transport (he gave the helpful examples of elephants, camels and horses as possible murder vehicles). Facile and not quite what I would envisage karma to be. But we only had him once. The other teacher, Nick, is far better and very engaging. And not quite so simplistic.
oldbk wrote: Sorry that wasn't clear.
It was clear ... but, as everyone knows, the more lipstick you put on a pig, the more the bacon you can take home.
The BKs like little ditties ... memes or aphorisms whose repetition they mistake for being "deep truth", or even positive thinking.
It strikes me that what they are doing with these euologies, is attempting to wrap whatever lifestory there is around one or another of them how ever uncomfortably a fit it might be ... and, from reading Nick's (above), reinforcing some kind of idealised example for younger BKs to follow.
I mean, hey, what was this Sister doing going off and pursuing higher education, when BKism is the "highest supreme education" (allegedly) and serving the BKs interests, rather than one's own, the highest activities.
It is so inspiring !!!
a) Pretend not to be Hindus.
b) Pretend not to be religious.
c) Exaggerate the United Nations connections to the Sheikhs.
d) Remarket Shiva as Allah and say nice things about Him.
e) Secretly carry on as usual inside the centres for the Hindu and Sindhu ex-pats in the country.
With, perhaps, use Westerners as a front being part of the game.
I guess the problem is that we are still trying to relate to what it "WAS" as opposed to what it "IS". And unable to get in terms with the "new" reality. Also, feeling sorry and upset about how the "gullible" are continued to be taken for a ride, ALL IN THE NAME OF SPIRITUALITY !!!
oldbk wrote: I guess the problem is that we are still trying to relate to what it "WAS" as opposed to what it "IS". And unable to get in terms with the "new" reality.
That's a good and insightful point.
We all go through coming to terms with how it damaged and wasted our lives, and critique *that* ... and it has already moved on and mutated to exploit a new generation or demographic. Like some evolving strain of virus.
New BKs look at and read our views and experiences and cannot completely relate to them - or they even deny them as being real - as their experience has been different.
I read an article recently that related cult indoctrination to a viral-like infection and it's an analogy that I use ... "a psychic (meaning 'of the soul') virus". Someting stronger than just a mimetic influence (an influence via a new meme).
I believe this is at the core of what we are dealing with and part of the mystery why some individuals are infected with BKism and some individuals are utterly immune to it ... but I've never seen an explanation of the mechanics, except to use the spiritualistic explanations of possession, over-shadowing, initiation into a relationship with some other kind of non-physical being.
This is a wild and open suggestion ... but I wonder if one day science and medicine will come to accept the existence of non-physical 'species' that act in a parasitic manner on human beings?
Many parasites can have a surprisingly profound influence upon their hosts beyond just fevers; literally, in some cases, inducing mental illness. Driving them to madness and killing them in others. (I knew a young women who contracted such a physical virus and ended chained up in some mental hospital in Nepal. It was just a virus/amoebic parasite that did it to her. In another age, she would have died incarcerated as a crazy or bewitched person).
This is the best explanation - or analogy - that I can offer to non-BKs who trying to understand the transformations in their loved ones ... and the best strategy for fighting it being quarantining of 'BK' carriers and "innoculating" of those who are not infected with prior awareness of the 'disease'.
In a sense, BKism induces a sort of erotomania in its victims, that the carriers tell them - in order to keep spreading the disease - is for "God" ... or at least their God.
Whereas I do not deny the "highs" of the fever BKism induces (indeed, I know it to be real and highly addictive) ... there is not a cell in my brain that can now believe - on the basis of the practical evidence in front of us - that BKism is "of God".
Could it be that within the oceans of existences, that other kinds of automonous life forms swim unseen within its waters ... but still effect us? And always have? Could some of humanity evolved to be resistant to them, while others of us are still susceptible to them?
Except that these influences have some kind of independent will or lifecycle of their own, I find most explanations too dry, and requiring too much skeptic faith to accept.
The concept of "egregores" is one that was introducted to me on the old xBKChat website and seems to address part of it ... in a sense, artificial psychic lifeforms created within group consciousnesses. I know the more radical extremes of science are discussing "multi-universes" and so on (but know nothing of where the discussion stands), do other kinds of lifeforms fit within those models?
Back 'on topic', the BKWSU has always been slightly accepting of "married couples" in order to give itself a veneer of ordinariness. The famous first 'fake' couple involving Ramesh Shah. Are they becoming more accepting of BK couples such as Nick and Vera?
As long as they remain non-critical and practically beneficial. Or, indeed, to keep them non-critical and continue to exploit what practical benefit they offer.
It is then important to highlight what BK IS NOT, today. Also highlight, WHAT IT IS - Just another organization that is functioning for the "higher ups", with generic solutions (that are either non-practical or that is pure common sense and doesn't require anyone to pay for it).
oldbk wrote: So, the fundamental issues for the present time are (IMO), 1. Become very much materialistic, AT THE TOP, while preaching the opposite to the lower rung and newbies ... another organization that is functioning for the "higher ups".
I don't disagree with the "non-practical or that is pure common sense", but how do we understand the motivations of the Seniors in more detail?
BKism has become increasingly materialistic, as in the acquisition of properly and wealth - and has long been status driven - but largely for the sake of organisation rather than on an individual level ... a collective or clan thing, is not it? I remember a few center-in-charges being caught feathering their own nests at a low level, but how widespread is that?
Most BKs would defend the leadership for not acquiring wealth for themselves ... but we just don't know how they live and what they have ... the BKs' accounting is pretty obscure. They say the leaders aren't paid ... but how do they live?
I've always argued that we need to consider their livestyle in comparison to Indian standards not Western standards, as in how they would have been living if they had not turned their religion into a money raking business.
Imagine ... widows or unmarried women without any families, no trade, no education, no assets, no children to support them ... what lives would they have?
Beggars ... prostitutes ... sweatshop workers ... cooks and cleaners?
I think of the photographs (and livelihoods) of the old women dumped in Varanasi and how that would have been them without any social welfare benefits to fall back on. Defecating in the open and washing their clothes in the river.
Western BKs would argue and defend the BK leadership for not being materialistic, for having no possessions (of their own) ... but to me they appear to have a pretty comforable and luxurious lifestyle, with free servants, free drivers, free cooks, luxury holiday retreats, globe trotting all year around, (even flying businss class) ... and no bosses to answer to, no critics to question them. Central heating in the winter, air conditioning in the Summer ... they live like Queens because everywhere they go there is someone to serve them and drive them aroung; wherever they visit, it has just been cleaned and renovated.
I mean, by Indian standards, they must be among 1%-ers ... or even the 0.1%-ers?
For me, it's all very clever. All of the comforts and benefits of power and wealth, with relatively few of burdens or responsibilities. No need for a real job, just sucking wealth out of the middle class with flattery, and exploiting working classes as free servants?
How does that equate to India?
Has "wealth disparity" ever been a social evil the BKs have taken up in India?
they appear to have a pretty comfortable and luxurious lifestyle, with free servants, free drivers, free cooks, luxury holiday retreats, globe trotting all year around, (even flying business class) ... and no bosses to answer to, no critics to question them. Central heating in the winter, air conditioning in the Summer ... they live like Queens because everywhere they go there is someone to serve them and drive them aroung; wherever they visit, it has just been cleaned and renovated.
A well thought out statement, that also happens to be true.
Typical focus in the material world, for the top 1% is towards for Wealth and Power. Wealth is accumulated for their own enjoyment and stashed for their children, relatives etc. etc. Power is used for their own pleasure and comfort. The rest of the 99% percent is trying to make a living and along the way praising the 1% for providing them their daily bread and butter. This is achieved through Media, Propaganda in full force.
Coming to the BKs, you have the same situation, with some minor changes. Here the BKs do not have to stash wealth since they don't have to worry about saving for children, family etc. etc. For their own comfort, they have everything as mentioned in the above quote. They cloak their materialism through "pseudo-spirituality" and preach simplicity for the 1%. The Wealthy 1% preach the benefits of jobs that "they create" and practice "pseudo-charity", taking the money from 1% and giving a pittance from that back as charity, along the way taking tax benefits too.


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OP-ED: Italy takes notes from America's experience with fake news
by Melissa D'Angelo
The New York Times recently ran an article entitled "In Italian Schools, Reading, Writing and Recognizing Fake News," and while some people can't believe this is an actual course, others are wondering why it isn't being implemented in the motherland of misconception—America.
The term "fake news" has seeped into the grapevine of Italian culture, and some politicians and leaders fear it will affect the newest crop of voters in the upcoming election year. Just one sour grape can spoil the entire batch, and Italians take their wine —and politics—seriously. Italy, which is known for its architecture, art and wines, is trying to stomp out the growing problem of fake news and its connection to populist narratives that seek to divide citizens into groups of "us" and 'them." (Italy isn't shaped like a boot for no reason.) Italian millennials are indulging in conspiracy theories, which feed their ongoing mistrust of authority.
A quick history lesson of corruption in the country supports this argument,most notably the infamous and deceitful Borgias, crooked papists and politicians, and the Mafia. Needless to say, the Italians are in desperate need of a political diet, and that's exactly what the Italian Ministry of Education is trying to do. It has put together an experiment in which more than 8,000 high schools will take part in a course designed to help students recognize fake news. This is all in the hopes that what happened to America in the 2016 election won't happen to them. The success of this program is critical, as it's the government's only hope of shifting power from the internet and back into their hands.
"Fake news drips… poison into our daily web diet and we end up infected without even realizing it," Laura Boldrini, president of Italy's lower house of Parliament and the force behind this project, says. Unlike our current Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Boldrini refuses to make ambiguous statements about the devolution of education and instead came up with a specific plan backed by RAI, Italy's national public broadcast company, which is owned by the government. The course teaches students to identify parody URLs, pick apart fake stories, and create their own blogs showing how they uncovered them.
The curriculum comes with a new set of technological Ten Commandments. With Catholicism being the country's national religion, both church and state have decided to tackle the problem together. Pope Francis has said he will dedicate the 2018 World Communications Day to discussing fake news and the public's blind faith in the gods who control the internet. Among them? Facebook and Google, and while Facebook has spoken publicly about attacking fake news, Boldrini is skeptical. Nevertheless, she welcomes Facebook, which has applauded the program, to join the "international effort" to "curb the spread of false news."
The basic problem is that many millennials are preoccupied with conspiracy theories and are being pumped with information curated by unreliable sources. Anyone can make up anything, and the writing can be so savvy and convincing that it's hard to tell the difference between a reputable source and an article written by "winelover1861," (The course also teaches about author's names and backgrounds).
So why should we care? Isn't Congress investigating Russian hacking? Aren't Facebook and Google combatting this issue? I believe the most poignant and paramount lesson the Italians have taught is that we, too, need to be held responsible for how we use the internet and which sources we choose to trust. It's not enough to ask big companies and hackers to stop, it's up to us to filter out the pyrite from the gold because, really, we're all just amateur hunters in the forest of information that's being scattered before us. There is gold hidden beneath the surface, but without the proper tools, we'll be stuck excavating worthless rubble and mistake it for valuable knowledge. That would be fool's gold—or fake news. So the next time you're on the internet, do yourself a favor and do as the Romans do.
Melissa D'Angelo
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As protesters took to the streets outside Queens

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Marietta Injury Lawyer Blog
The Persons Firm, LLC
Georgia Court of Appeals Dismisses Negligence Lawsuit Over Chemical Fire
January 3, 2014 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV
Does a company admit negligence when its spokesman apologizes for an accident on its property? The Georgia Court of Appeals recently considered such a case and held that such an apology is not, without additional evidence, enough to sustain a lawsuit against the company. The appeals court affirmed a trial judge's decision to award summary judgment to the company.
Law v. BioLab, Inc.
In the early morning hours of May 25, 2004, a fire erupted at the BioLab chemical plant in Rockdale County. BioLab manufactures water treatment products for swimming pools and spas. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the fire occurred in a building that housed "approximately 12.5 million pounds of pool chemicals and oxidizers." Rockdale County officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for a 1.5-mile radius surrounding the BioLab site.
A resident of the area later claimed he was exposed to harmful gas released by the BioLab fire. He sued BioLab for negligence. In responding to BioLab's motion for summary judgment, the plaintiff pointed to a statement made by a BioLab executive to a reporter. The executive said, "we want to apologize profusely for the disruption we've caused." The plaintiff maintained this was an admission of liability. BioLab disagreed, and said the plaintiff had presented no evidence suggesting its negligence caused the fire.
Both the trial court and the Court of Appeals agreed BioLab was entitled to summary judgment. Presiding Judge John J. Ellington of the Court of Appeals noted in his opinion that while an out-of-court admission by a party may be admissible as evidence of negligence, the executive's statement in this case was not such an admission. Rather, Judge Elligton described the statement as a "vague public relations apology" made by someone who had no way of knowing whether the company was at fault. Under Georgia law, a statement made by a company's admission or agent is only admissible if it is related "to what the employee would know because of the employee's job duties."
The plaintiff argued that negligence could be inferred from the spokesman's statement under a legal doctrine known as "res ipsa loquitur." This is Latin for "the thing speaks for itself," and under Georgia law, it means, "(1) the injury ordinarily would not occur in the absence of negligence; (2) the injury was caused by an agent or instrument within the defendant's exclusive control; and (3) the injury was not due to any voluntary action or contribution on plaintiff's part." The key is showing that negligence had to be the only possible cause of the plaintiff's injuries.
The plaintiff could not show that here, Judge Ellington said, because there was no evidence establishing what caused the fire in the first place. The fire may have been the result of arson, act of God, or something other than negligence on the part of BioLab. Furthermore, while the plaintiff presented evidence he suffered from "minimal asthma" and related breathing issues, Judge Ellington noted these may have been caused by other factors–such as the plaintiff's smoking–other than exposure to chemicals released by the fire.
Benjamin S. Persons, IV
Posted in: Court Decisions, Legislation, Marietta & Cobb County and Personal Injury
Updated: January 3, 2014 10:43 am
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Written by Per: The big market place Jemaa El Fna is in many ways the hearth of Marrakech Medina. As the morning man that I am, I love to seek this central hearth every morning at sunrise, roughly at about 6.00. Walking down the nearly deserted and narrow streets is fascinating and meditative. I marvel at the city`s closed character and its many shades of brown and ocher. In a couple of hours the streets will completely change their appearance when all the storages and shops opens and the people line the streets.
I pas a couple of the city`s many toilers who are responsible for getting rid of garbage and a very old woman sitting with her little mug hoping for a gift. She could be my age, but I am sure she has lived a much harder life than I can ever imagine. Some donkey's screams while their owners are sitting down drinking their tea. A polite nod and a smile follow me as I walk towards Jemaa El Fna and the coffee shops opening around 6.00. I get noticed when I appears on the terrace in front of the café with all it`s local guest at this time of day.
I take up my book from my bag and the waiter is already on his way. With a nearly invisible nod he signals that he have seen me. A cup of black, strong coffee and a croissant came quickly on the table together with a glass of water. Its like a delicious dream to sit right here in the morning sun sending her first rays into the Jemaa El Fna. In the distant I can see the contours of the Atlas Mountains.
It is possible that I have a distinctive look or the waiter here have a memory like an elephant. The second morning I appeared he saluted me with a soft bend in the hip while he hold a finger in the air. I just nodded and suddenly the coffee and croissant was put in front of me. This morning we exchanged pleasantries and after the third morning it was time for a more serious conversation. How many children, wives do you have, what kind of work do you do and of course which part of the world do you come from? My new friend was a Berber as most people in Morocco, about 65 % of the population. I always get in a special mood when I sit there on Jemaa El Fna and admire the silhouette of the big mosque and listen to the prayers from the minarets. I am really a part of the city waking up.
In just a few hours the market place will be filled with jugglers, snake charmers, cheap jewelry sellers, wagons with fruits and sweets and infinitely many tourists. Jemaa El Fna has its own circadian rhythms. Dating back to the 1100s the marketplace has been a center for dissemination of Moroccan culture. Medicine men, storytellers, dancers and musicians gathers in Jemaa El Fnaa to the people`s amusement. For both locals and tourists this is the main meeting point in Marrakech.
Around Jemaa El Fna are café shops and restaurants where you can enjoy your mint tea, get freshly squeezed juice or a glass of beer, some places and look at the crowd on the square. Marrakech and Jemaa El Fna are considered pretty safe, except for pickpockets. But in 2011 a bomb detonated in Argana café facing the square. 17 people were killed and 25 wounded. You can read more about this here.
Within a few hours during late afternoon the place change its character completely. Jemaa El Fna turns into the worlds largest, outdoor food market. In more than a 100 dining booths they are busy grilling, cooking and roasting. In the dark the square gets a mysterious tint while cooking odors and smoke is dense and the waiters all try to convince you to eat at just their place, its absolutely the best! When visiting Marrakech it is a must to eat on Jemaa El Fna at least once. There are of course no serving of alcohol, but the food is very good, fresh and exciting. You can buy a lot of different small dishes and taste your way to your favorite dish. Some might be skeptical to eating at such a place, thinking that the demands for hygiene are different from what we are just to back home. But I have never noticed any problems after a tasteful meal in these lovely, but chaotic circumstances at Jemaa El Fna.
Jemaa El Fna is a square and a market place situated in the southern part of Marrakech Medina. Marrakech was founded already in 1070. Jemaa El Fna has existed all this years, but in different forms. He whole Medina in Marrakech is on UNESCO'S World Heritage List. Jemaa El Fna is devoted special attention in ENESCO'S project for preservation of intangible heritage since 2008.