text:
LIVE STREAM: Governor and DLIR Answer Questions on Unemployment Claims, 3 p.m.
April 22, 2020, 2:07 PM HST
* Updated April 22, 3:12 PM
https://www.facebook.com/GovernorDavidIge/videos/228156254941041
Governor David Ige and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Scott Murakami will host a live stream on Facebook to answer media questions about unemployment.
Earlier today, Gov. Ige and Murakami held a Community Connection conversation to discuss the latest updates on unemployment filings, new tools to help with unemployment claims, pandemic unemployment insurance, and more. That stream is available for viewing below.
"We went from having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country to the highest unemployment rate in a very short period of time. Clearly, our system, which is old and antiquated, was overwhelmed," said Gov. Ige.
Prior to the pandemic, Hawaiʻi was processing in late February about 700 claims per week. "And so you can imagine what happens when you end up with about a quarter of a million–somewhere around a quarter million claims," said Murakami. In a single day, Murakami said the department received about 25,000 filings.
As of Friday, April 17, unemployment in Maui County was 29,000 unemployed, while the statewide unemployment had reached 243,000.
Murakami said the department has been able to streamline the process and have ramped up manpower, resulting in claims being paid out at a much higher level than when this began. Last week, Murakami said the department paid out a total of $31 million in claims. In the last two days, Murakami said the department paid about $21 million.
DLIR website: https://labor.hawaii.gov/
To file a new claim: https://huiclaims2020.hawaii.gov/initial-claim
To check status: https://huiclaims2020.hawaii.gov/status
Language assistance: [email protected]
*Video courtesy Office of Gov. David Ige / Facebook.
BREAKING: DLIR Director Resigns After Months on… August 10, 2020
LIVE STREAM: Governor Extends 14-Day Travel… April 25, 2020
Lahaina Loft Aims to Answer Growing Demand for… July 9, 2018
LIVE STREAM: Governor David Ige COVID-19 Update,… April 29, 2020
Live Stream: Governor David Ige's COVID-19 Update,… May 4, 2020
LIVE STREAM: Mayor Victorino Updates Maui on… May 5, 2020


We have fallen in love with the Zest Smock, and we know you will too. The perfect layering piece with playful angles, a small cowl neck and a zip detail. You will find endless ways to add this Sympli smock seamlessly into your wardrobe.


Our staff of licensed mental health providers, administrative support, and graduate trainees are committed to being a safe, nonjudgmental, and confidential space to all members of the Wake Forest University community. We represent a diverse range of identities, backgrounds, and theoretical orientations – all of which allow us to serve the range of mental health needs in our community. If you need to talk, receive support, problem-solve, or simply want to be in the company of someone who you know will not judge you for any part of your identity, please call on us.
Crisis assistance for urgent mental health needs is available anytime, from anywhere, by calling us at 336.758.5273. During normal business hours calling this number will allow you to reach an administrative assistant who can help to assess your needs, as well as help you schedule/reschedule appointments. After-hours and on weekends this number will connect you with a crisis counselor.
What Is My First Session Going To Be Like?


text:
<?php
namespace EasyRdf\Http;

use EasyRdf\Resource;
use EasyRdf\TestCase;

require_once realpath(dirname(__FILE__) . '/../../') . '/TestHelper.php';

class ClientTest extends TestCase
{
    /**
     * Common HTTP client
     *
     * @var Client
     */
    protected $client = null;

    /**
     * Set up the test suite before each test
     *
     */
    public function setUp()
    {
        $this->client = new Client('http://www.example.com/');
    }

    public function testConstructWithConfig()
    {
        $client = new Client(
            'http://www.example.com/',
            array('foo' => 'bar')
        );
        $this->assertClass('EasyRdf\Http\Client', $client);
    }

    /**
     * Test we can SET and GET a URI as string
     *
     */
    public function testSetGetUriString()
    {
        $uristr = 'http://www.bbc.co.uk:80/';
        $this->client->setUri($uristr);

        $this->assertSame(
            $uristr,
            $this->client->getUri(),
            'Returned Uri object does not hold the expected URI'
        );

        $uri = $this->client->getUri(true);
        $this->assertTrue(
            is_string($uri),
            'Returned value expected to be a string, ' .
            gettype($uri) . ' returned'
        );
        $this->assertSame(
            $uri,
            $uristr,
            'Returned string is not the expected URI'
        );
    }

    public function testSetGetUriHttpsString()
    {
        $uristr = 'https://example.com/';
        $this->client->setUri($uristr);

        $this->assertStringEquals(
            $uristr,
            $this->client->getUri(),
            'Returned Uri object does not hold the expected URI'
        );
    }

    public function testSetGopherUri()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(
            'InvalidArgumentException',
            "Client only supports the 'http' and 'https' schemes."
        );
        $uristr = 'gopher://g.example.com/';
        $this->client->setUri($uristr);
    }

    /**
     * Test we can SET and GET a URI as object
     *
     */
    public function testSetGetUriObject()
    {
        $uristr = 'http://www.bbc.co.uk:80/';
        $obj = new Resource($uristr);
        $this->client->setUri($obj);

        $uri = $this->client->getUri();
        $this->assertSame($uristr, $uri);
    }

    public function testSetConfig()
    {
        $result = $this->client->setConfig(array('foo' => 'bar'));
        $this->assertClass('EasyRdf\Http\Client', $result);
    }

    public function testSetConfigNull()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(
            'InvalidArgumentException',
            '$config should be an array and cannot be null'
        );
        $this->client->setConfig(null);
    }

    public function testSetConfigNonArray()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(
            'InvalidArgumentException',
            '$config should be an array and cannot be null'
        );
        $this->client->setConfig('foo');
    }

    /**
     * Test we can get already set headers
     *
     */
    public function testGetHeader()
    {
        $this->client->setHeaders('Accept-language', 'en,de,*');
        $this->assertSame(
            $this->client->getHeader('Accept-language'),
            'en,de,*',
            'Returned value of header is not as expected'
        );
        $this->assertSame(
            $this->client->getHeader('X-Fake-Header'),
            null,
            'Non-existing header should not return a value'
        );
    }

    public function testUnsetHeader()
    {
        $this->client->setHeaders('Accept-Encoding', 'gzip,deflate');
        $this->client->setHeaders('Accept-Encoding', null);
        $this->assertNull(
            $this->client->getHeader('Accept-encoding'),
            'Returned value of header is expected to be null'
        );
    }

    public function testSetGetMethod()
    {
        $this->client->setMethod('POST');
        $method = $this->client->getMethod();
        $this->assertSame('POST', $method);
    }

    public function testSetNonStringMethod()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(
            'InvalidArgumentException',
            'Invalid HTTP request method.'
        );
        $this->client->setMethod($this);
    }

    public function testSetNumericMethod()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(
            'InvalidArgumentException',
            'Invalid HTTP request method.'
        );
        $this->client->setMethod(1234);
    }

    public function testRedirectionCounterShouldStartAtZero()
    {
        $this->client->setHeaders('Accept-Encoding', null);
        $this->assertSame(0, $this->client->getRedirectionsCount());
    }

    public function testSetParameterGet()
    {
        $this->client->setParameterGet('key1', 'value1');
        $this->assertSame('value1', $this->client->getParameterGet('key1'));
    }

    public function testUnSetParameterGet()
    {
        $this->client->setParameterGet('key1', 'value1');
        $this->client->setParameterGet('key2', 'value2');
        $this->client->setParameterGet('key1', null);
        $this->assertSame(null, $this->client->getParameterGet('key1'));
        $this->assertSame('value2', $this->client->getParameterGet('key2'));
    }

    public function testSetRawData()
    {
        $this->client->setRawData('Foo Bar');
        $this->assertSame('Foo Bar', $this->client->getRawData());
    }

    public function testRequestNoUri()
    {
        $client = new Client();
        $this->setExpectedException(
            'EasyRdf\Exception',
            'Set URI before calling Client->request()'
        );
        $client->request();
    }

    public function testResetParameters()
    {
        $this->client->setMethod('POST');
        $this->client->setRawData('Foo Bar');
        $this->client->setHeaders('Content-Length', 7);
        $this->client->setHeaders('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
        $this->client->setHeaders('Accept-Language', 'en');
        $this->client->resetParameters();
        $this->assertSame('GET', $this->client->getMethod());
        $this->assertSame(null, $this->client->getRawData());
        $this->assertSame(null, $this->client->getHeader('Content-Length'));
        $this->assertSame(null, $this->client->getHeader('Content-Type'));
        $this->assertSame('en', $this->client->getHeader('Accept-Language'));
    }

    public function testResetParametersClearAll()
    {
        $this->client->setMethod('POST');
        $this->client->setRawData('Foo Bar');
        $this->client->setHeaders('Content-Length', 7);
        $this->client->setHeaders('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
        $this->client->setHeaders('Accept-Language', 'en');
        $this->client->resetParameters(true);
        $this->assertSame('GET', $this->client->getMethod());
        $this->assertSame(null, $this->client->getRawData());
        $this->assertSame(null, $this->client->getHeader('Content-Length'));
        $this->assertSame(null, $this->client->getHeader('Content-Type'));
        $this->assertSame(null, $this->client->getHeader('Accept-Language'));
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
How Senate candidate Jon Ossoff used family wealth to bolster his international media career
Democratic candidate for Senate Jon Ossoff campaigns in Lilburn, Ga., on Dec. 7. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)
By Michael Kranish
Jon Ossoff was given a remarkable offer in 2013 when he was 26 years old. A longtime friend ran a small journalism company in London that produced films investigating corruption around the world. The friend wanted to step back from running the company and asked Ossoff to become CEO.
Ossoff, a former congressional aide, had no experience managing a company. But he had a sizable inheritance from his grandfather. He loaned $250,000 to the company, as did the friend, and Ossoff eventually invested an unspecified additional amount, making him CEO and majority owner.
"[I] had really seen enough of Congress in Washington to know that I didn't want to go back there and was really intrigued," Ossoff said in an interview with The Washington Post. "I admired the company. I believed in the mission. . . . So that is when I said, 'Okay, let's do this.' "
Nonetheless, Ossoff, 33, has spent much of his time and energy over the past three years trying to get back to Washington, saying he was motivated to return by his dismay about the election of Donald Trump. He ran unsuccessfully for the House in a 2017 special election, and now is one of two Democrats running in Georgia's unusual dual Senate runoffs against Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.
The simultaneous races, culminating on Jan. 5, have taken on enormous national importance, as they will determine which party controls the Senate for at least the first two years of Joe Biden's presidency.
Ossoff, derided by Republicans as a "trust fund socialist" and serial exaggerator of his achievements, has portrayed his business experience as a qualification for the job. He has made his films a centerpiece of his campaign, seeking to draw a parallel between his work with investigative reporting and what he said would be a similar effort to uncover such abuses in the United States, if he is elected to the Senate. "Fighting corruption is my job," he says in an ad showing images from the movies.
Perdue, 71, a one-term Republican and former corporate executive, has also sought to make the films a central campaign issue, questioning their financing. "I'd like him to explain where his money comes from, really, in his business," Perdue said in a debate with Ossoff.
Ossoff has declined to say how much he inherited from his grandfather, who was co-owner of a Massachusetts leather factory, and he said many of the financial details of his business, Insight: The World Investigates, would remain confidential. His company has done business with a number of international networks, including the BBC, Al Jazeera's English channel, and outlets throughout Africa, Latin America, the United States and Hong Kong.
"I openly acknowledge that the opportunity I've had is a function of my parents' hard work . . . the opportunity to get a great education without debt, the opportunity to do what I love and pursue my passion, which is confronting and exposing injustice and the abuse of power," he said.
Much of the attention in the brief campaign has focused on the other Democrat, Raphael Warnock, a prominent Black pastor who, in his bid to unseat Loeffler, has sought to energize Georgia's large African American electorate to turn out for both runoffs amid a sustained fusillade of attacks from Republicans seeking to paint him as "radical."
Democrats and their allies, meanwhile, have filled the Georgia airwaves with ads highlighting questions about the business dealings of Loeffler, the wealthiest member of Congress, according to financial disclosure reports, and Perdue, a former corporate executive who has done more stock trades than any other senator, according to the website Senate Stock Watcher.
A fateful meeting
Ossoff's rise to CEO of Insight TWI has its roots in his first meeting with the company's founder, Ron McCullagh, when Ossoff was 16 years old. Ossoff was on vacation with his family in France when they were invited to a dinner party that included McCullagh, who said he was impressed with Ossoff's knowledge of world affairs and remained in touch with him.
Shortly afterward, Ossoff, an Atlanta native, said he read the autobiography of Rep. John Lewis, the Georgia Democrat and civil rights icon. Ossoff wrote a letter to Lewis, who gave Ossoff, then 17, an internship in his Washington office and remained friends until his death earlier this year.
Ossoff then went to Georgetown University, simultaneously working for Rep. Hank Johnson, another Democrat from Georgia, and eventually became a foreign policy aide. It was in that role that Ossoff said he began thinking about the field of investigative journalism. As Ossoff prepared to take a January 2012 trip to Ghana with Johnson, McCullagh arranged for him to meet with one of Africa's most famous investigative reporters, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
The reporter, whose face is not shown in his reports to protect him, had for years exposed corruption throughout Africa under the motto: "Name, Shame, and Jail." Anas's work had been hailed widely, including a 2009 tribute from President Barack Obama to the "courageous journalist . . . who risked his life to report the truth."
It was soon after that trip that McCullagh asked Ossoff, who had interned at the company, if he would become CEO. Asked why he thought such a young person with no background in journalism was qualified to take over the company, McCullagh responded that he felt confidence in Ossoff due to their decade-long friendship and his experience as a congressional aide and his education, which included a master's degree from the London School of Economics.
"I knew he could" do it, McCullagh said. "I'd been running it for 22 years and I wanted to find new blood to take over."
Ossoff accepted the position but wanted the company to have a stronger financial footing so it could expand. Although he was only 26 and had mainly worked as a congressional aide, Ossoff had an inheritance to tap.
Ossoff has declined to say how much he inherited, and he has not released his tax returns. His personal financial disclosure form, which he filed this year as a Senate candidate, says his net worth is between $2.3 million and $8.8 million, including the value of his company, which he put at between $1 million and $5 million.
Ossoff and McCullagh agreed that they would capitalize the company with each contributing $250,000. (Ossoff's additional, unspecified investment came later.) That was soon supplemented with a $350,000 grant from a foundation run by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, who around the same time funded the investigative journalism website the Intercept.
The cash infusions helped Ossoff launch a number of ambitious investigative projects in Africa, Iraq and Latin America. After several years, he stepped back from that role to begin his political campaign in Georgia. A special election was held in 2017 for a U.S. House seat in a heavily Republican district. Ossoff won the Democratic nomination and posited the race as the first chance to repudiate President Trump. Both parties poured so much money into the race that it became the most expensive House contest in history at the time.
Much of the focus on Ossoff in the contest was on whether the then-30-year-old had the experience to be a congressman. Ossoff campaigned in that race on the basis that "I've got five years of experience as a national security staffer in the U.S. Congress. I held top-secret security clearance."
In fact, according to a report at the time by The Washington Post's Fact Checker, two of those years were part-time work while he was a college student, and he held the clearance for only five months. The Fact Checker said his claims about his experience were "misleading enough" to merit one "Pinocchio" (on a scale with four being the worst) and that he had engaged in a "bit too much résumé puffery."
Ossoff lost the race by three percentage points and refocused on his CEO role.
He had united with Anas, the African undercover journalist, to produce a number of films that exposed corruption. A film about judges who took bribes was commissioned by Al Jazeera English, which promoted it as "Africa's biggest undercover sting." Ghana suspended seven of 12 High Court judges and 22 lower-court judges implicated in the film, according to the BBC, which said the documentary "shocked the nation and has been shown to packed houses at cinemas" in Accra, Ghana's capital.
That was followed by a film exposing corruption in soccer, titled "Number 12." It became a sensation with its undercover filming of bribes of referees, 61 of whom were suspended or banned, according to ESPN. In addition, a member of the General Council of FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, who was filmed taking a $65,000 payment, was banned by the organization as a result of the film, according to Reuters.
Reporter killed
One of the reporters who worked on the soccer film was Ahmed Hussein-Suale Divela, who had met with Ossoff to discuss how they would proceed on the investigation. After the film was completed, a Ghanaian politician publicized a picture of Divela and urged that the reporter be attacked, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Seven months later, Divela was shot and killed while driving. The killing, Ossoff said, was "without question" the darkest moment of his life. No arrest has been made.
"I felt physically rocked by the loss of a colleague and devastated for Ahmed's family and full of grief and full of anger that somebody had decided to retaliate against a journalist who had been courageously telling the world the truth about crimes against the people," Ossoff said.
Anas, in a telephone interview with The Post, said that Ossoff had done everything possible to protect the reporters, and he praised Ossoff for continuing to support his work.
"Those who criticize Jon just don't know him," Anas said. He recalled that Ossoff called him after the killing and said, "You cannot break down. You have to stand firm. This is not the time to cry, but this is the exact time that the enemies are looking out for all of them, so keep the team together."
Ossoff, after serving as executive producer on two films about Islamic State terrorists in Iraq and other projects, announced in September 2019 that he would run for the Senate.
Seven weeks later, Ossoff's firm filed a financial report in London that provides the most significant look inside the business. It said the company had a negative net worth of $283,343 at the end of 2018, which the campaign said was partly the result of the debt due to Ossoff.
The report said the company "elected not to include a copy of the profit and loss account." The campaign said in a statement that the company in that year had an operating loss of $25,000 but declined to make that documentation public or provide information about other years.
Ossoff declined The Post's request to release further financial information. He said that "in some years we've been profitable, for some years we've taken losses. But the particulars of our annual finances are confidential." He said that heading a media company "is not the most lucrative thing I could be doing, but it is a going concern." He said the films have "high impact around the world and are consistent with the kind of change I want to make in the world."
Ossoff won his primary and faced Perdue in November. When neither candidate cleared a 50 percent threshold, a runoff was required. That made it one of two such Georgia contests that will be held Jan. 5 that will determine which party controls the Senate.
Perdue has alleged that Ossoff has received funding from "a communist Chinese news agency that's owned by the communist Chinese government." Ossoff said his company produced two films on Islamic State terrorists commissioned by the BBC; the films were then distributed around the world by an agency and aired on a Hong Kong network that paid about $1,000 for the right to air them. Although Ossoff said on his financial disclosure form that he received more than $5,000 over two years from the Hong Kong company, campaign spokeswoman Miryam Lipper said the actual amount was $1,000.
Perdue also has said Ossoff worked for the "mouthpiece of terrorism," citing work with Al Jazeera, a network funded by the government of Qatar, a U.S. ally.
Al Jazeera has acknowledged on its website that its decision in 2010 to air tapes of Osama bin Laden speaking "set off a debate, both inside and outside the network on whether it should be broadcast."
Ossoff stressed in the interview that his films were sold to the network's English channel, not the Arabic one. He said that he directly negotiated with Al Jazeera English, which he called a "completely respected news organization." He said he brought it a list of a proposed projects, and that Al Jazeera English commissioned numerous films, including one on Ebola in Africa.
Ossoff said he hasn't decided what he will do with his executive role and company ownership if he is elected senator.
"I doubt that it will be viable to function as a hands-on CEO of the firm and serve in the Senate," Ossoff said. "So we'll have to figure something out."
Alice Crites contributed to this report.
Election 2020: Biden defeats Trump
The latest: Congress affirms Biden's presidential win following riot at U.S. Capitol
Graphic: How members of Congress voted on counting the electoral college vote
Live updates: Trump pledges 'orderly transition' after Biden is declared winner at the end of a violent day
25th Amendment: Senior officials have discussed removing Trump. Here's how that could work.
Election results under attack: Here are the facts
Full election results

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Appili Therapeutics Receives Government of Canada Support for Development of New Antibiotic to Treat Gram-Negative Infections
Apr 11/17
Appili Therapeutics Inc. (Appili), an anti-infective drug development company, announced today it will be receiving an additional $400,000 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), bringing IRAP support for this project to a total of up to $759,000.
The funding supports the development of ATI-1503, an antibiotic targeting drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobactor baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These superbugs cause potentially deadly infections, including pneumonia and blood infections.
"Doctors are fast running out of treatment options and IRAP funding is an important part of our financial strategy for helping Appili develop a new antibiotic that can treat these deadly diseases," said Kimberly Stephens, CFO of Appili Therapeutics.
ATI-1503 is a synthetic version of the naturally-occurring Negamycin antibiotic. Using IRAP funding, Appili's expert drug development team will employ advanced X-ray crystallography to visualize the exact structure of ATI-1503 binding to the bacterial target. The crystal structure data is then used to systematically and precisely optimize the potency of ATI-1503 against these drug-resistant infections.
Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobactor baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are Gram-negative bacteria with two cellular walls, making it hard for antibiotics to penetrate. ATI-1503 holds promise for treating these superbugs because it penetrates the double exterior membranes and attacks the protein generating machinery of Gram-negative bacteria.
Additionally, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobactor baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrive in hospitals and residential care facilities, infecting already vulnerable patients. Because these bacteria are resistant to most antibiotics, they are among the priority pathogens for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization because they pose the highest threat to human health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States over two million cases of drug-resistant infections are reported annually and, with limited treatment options, hospitalization costs for these drug-resistant infections exceed $20 billion a year.
About Appili Therapeutics
Appili is dedicated to identifying, acquiring and advancing novel therapeutics for infectious disease. The company has two anti-infective programs, ATI-1501 and ATI-1503, in its pipeline. ATI-1501 is a taste-masked treatment for anaerobic infections, including C. difficile. Appili's second product, ATI-1503, is a novel antibiotic with broad potential to treat drug-resistant Gram-negative infections. For more information visit www.AppiliTherapeutics.com.
Appili Therapeutics
Jennifer Cameron, 902.209.4704
Media@AppiliTherapeutics.com
Kimberly Stephens, CFO
Info@AppiliTherapeutics.com
Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 11, 2017


text:
COMMUNITY & ADULT LEARNING
Walk into the Social Hall of Congregation Beth Shalom and imagine what it looked like in 1970. At that time, the current Social Hall and Kitchen made up the whole synagogue. The building was called Holmes Hall, and it was owned by the University Unitarian Church. It consisted of a small chapel, small social hall, office, 4 classrooms plus lavatories. For the previous two years, Congregation Beth Shalom had been operating out of the Blessed Sacrament School. In 1970 we moved into Holmes Hall, and 3 years later we bought it from the Unitarian Church. Following two major expansions since 1973, the original building has tripled in size. In addition to a larger space, we have incorporated Hiddur Mitzvah – the beautification of the Mitzvah – Jewish Art, into our facility.
When you walk into the lobby today, pause and look up. In the entryway surrounding a skylight is an extraordinary mural depicting Creation, as set out in the Torah, Bereshit 1:1-2:4. Start with Day One, straight ahead, then move your eyes to the left and slowly turn as Days Two-Six reveal themselves in sequence – each more marvelous, literally and figuratively, than the one before. Then leaning your head all the way back, you'll see Day Seven, the day of rest, and more. The Creation mural was designed and created by Rainer Waldman Adkins and donated by Amy Stephson and Brian Rapalee in 2014 in memory of Amy's parents, Shirley and Cyrus Stephson, z"l. Beth Shalom's Sanctuary is home to a second mural created by Rainer Adkins. Very different from the new lobby mural, but equally beautiful, it portrays the Torah's Seven Species, set against a background of Northwest nature.
We have indeed a beautiful space for worship, celebrations, and learning.
Kitchen & Kashrut
Congregation Beth Shalom
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habitat etc is a friendly lifestyle store specializing in home goods, accessories, paper goods and gifts. We aim to provide unique, local, handmade, high quality and artisanal products to our customers.
Located in the beautiful historic McKenney building on the 4th Street Promenade.
10187 104th St. NW, Edmonton (Corner of 104 St. and 102 Ave).


With some advice from Bud Morris , we worked out an eight day trip , with us spending only one night per camp site. This was right up our street , as we both don't like sitting still for too long .
We were joined by Chris Kostelac , as Mandy couldn't make it . Dena also had to work .
We had a fairly late start , us we had a very easy day . We met Phillip on Allandale road at 7 Am and headed for the N4 via Hartebeespoort Dam .
After stopping for breakfast at the wimpy in Harties , we got onto the N4 and headed for Zeerust .
After refuelling in Zeerust we headed for Skilpadshek border post . This has to have been the easiest border crossing I have ever done , with us not even needing gate passes on either side.
We then headed down the A2 , stopping for lunch at Nandos in Jwaneng.
Phillip had discovered that the pump that pumped from the auxiliary to the main tank wasn't working , but unfortunately the local Midas was closed as it was a Sunday , so we continued on our way , deciding that we would look at the pump when we stopped for the evening .
After a couple more hours driving , we turned off down the cut line that would take us towards Mabua Gate. The plan had always been to bush camp somewhere along here , which is what we did , pulling off the road and into the bush about 2 hours later .
Phillip removed his fuel pump ,and discovered that a circuit board had got wet and was now rusted, I remembered I had a spare shower pump , which he used to fill the main tank from the auxiliary .
We left for Mabuasehube Gate at about 7.30 . We got there around about 9.30 , and raised some eyebrows by arriving so early. We told the guy at the office that we had spent the night at Cezar Motel in Jwaneng and had a very early start . While we could see that he didn't really believe us , he couldn't prove otherwise .
We took a slow drive to the camp-site on Lesholago Pan and were pleasantly surprised to see that the shower was working , and that the long drop was bearable – for some of us – Phillip still chose a spade. We spent the rest of the day in the camp ,played some Boules (which I naturally won) and where visited by squirrels , a yellow mongoose and hyena that night while we were sitting around the fire .
We got there at about 12.00 , and even though it was a very nice camp-site , we decided to push through to Nossob , as there were still 7 hours of daylight left , and it was far too hot to sit around doing nothing .and it was only about 90 km to Nossob , so , an easy 2 hour drive.
About 60 km in , the going became a bit more interesting , with a few fairly steep and sandy inclines that sometimes required the use of low range. After one fairly tricky section , where I had to make a few attempts , we decided to wait for Phillip to catch up , as he had fallen out of radio contact .
About 20 mins later , just before going back to look for him, I finally raised him on the radio.
I told him to take an easier route up , but even so he couldn't manage to get over. We let his tyres down , and eventually he made it up , but I could see that the car was struggling.
He also mentioned that he had battled quite a lot on some of the earlier sections , which I found strange , as I had made it up quite easily in 2WD .
His car had come up with a suspension fault earlier , but as this is fairly common on a Discovery 3 , especially when it is working hard , neither of us thought too much of it .
It soon become apparent , however , that all was not well , as he started battling more and more with even the easiest inclines.. After one fairly easy one where we had to find an alternate route up , as he kept getting stuck on the middlemannetjie , and then got stuck again on the crest of the dune , we decided that I should tow him to Nossob ,and hopefully we would be able to fix the issue there. As it was about 46 degrees ambient , and the sand had reached 70 deg , as per Phillip's thermometer gun , we didn't really feel like getting under the car just then.
Things went OK for about another 1,5 km , albeit very slow hard work , when we eventually reached another small rise that I just couldn't get him over .
I pulled him back down , and off the road , where we waited for the car to cool down.We noticed that the car was now very low at the back , with almost no clearance .
We had about 6 attempts at clearing them , but the suspension fault remained.
I got hold of Anthony Walley , via sat phone , and he talked us through bypassing the ECU and bridging out the compressor relay.
This worked to the extent that we could get the compressor to run again , but the car didn't raise and the error remained.
We then got hold of Peter Street of Landyworx number , but his workshop said he was unavailable until 9.30 the next day.
I awoke to the buzzing of bees at about 7 . I chose to deliberately sleep in , as I assumed we would phone Peter before moving on . However the bees became so bad , that we decided to try get the car going. The suspension raised itself a bit when Phillip bridged the relay , and he had also emptied out about 200 l of water and re inflated the tyres .
Getting into the cars was scary , as by now they were full of bees. I managed to let them crawl all over me without freaking out , but Phillip was stung 7 times and Chris 3 .
We managed to do about 1.5 km before the car bogged down again. We decided to leave it where it was and head for Nossob , as we didn't know what we would find there , but were hoping for a tractor or something like a Unimog .
After checking in at reception , we enquired if they had a tractor . There was indeed one and our hopes were raised momentarily , but when we told them that the car was in the Botswana side of the park , we where told that it wouldn't be possible to use it. Phillip contacted his insurance broker , but they told him he was only covered for assistance inside South Africa . I started phoning various people to see if we could arrange something else .
Phillip and I both got numbers of various towing/recovery companies , in both South Africa and Botswana , but although everyone was most helpful , nobody could assist with an off-road recovery . Thanks here to Steve Wells especially for his contacts .
We had to try get the car to at least Nossob or first prize , the border post at Twee Rivieren .
Later in the day , we went back to the car to try again and were joined by Willie in his cruiser , as by now the whole camp knew of our predicament . Even with both cars winching , we only managed to move the car about 5 metres , as all we where doing was ploughing a new road and flattening the middlemannetjie .
So we loaded up some of Phillip's stuff , transferred the contents of his fridge and freezer to mine , and headed back to Nossob , where Phillip now had to live under a tree .
That evening I phoned Hennie Rautenbach and Anthony Walley and asked them both to post something on the Overland Forum and the 4×4 Community Forum , requesting any assistance with locating a recovery vehicle , as we had struck out .
The thread below is the result of that , and it is amazing to be associated with such a bunch of like minded people , most of whom I only know by their forum names .
The only noteworthy thing to come out of these 2 days was the good news from Hennie on Thursday morning. Dirk of the 4×4 Community Forum let him know that Raymond from Tuffstuff (Ream Insurance) had organised a vehicle and a trailer to come collect us !
Phillip made contact with Raymond , and he mentioned that he would also be bringing the necessary parts to fix the car in situ if possible . To this end he was also bringing Herman Engelbrecht with . They hoped to leave early on Friday morning and to be with us by lunchtime.
We made 2 more trips to Phillip's car on Thursday , but this was mainly to pick up stuff he needed.
We went on a game drive on Thursday evening with the camp vehicle , but didn't see much of interest . The rest of our time was either spent in the hide at the camp (where we saw some lion at the waterhole) or lounging around in the chalet .
Phillip made contact with Raymond on Friday afternoon , and he mentioned that they had been a bit late in getting away and that they were planning to make Twee Rivieren on Friday night on that they would see us Saturday morning .
Chris and I also went on a short drive on Friday , as he had not been out the camp since we arrived on Wednesday morning .
We were up bright and early with Phillip even doing the dishes. We were expecting the guys from about 8 AM , and by 10.30 we were beginning to get a bit worried. Phillip tried Raymond on his cellphone a few times , but it went straight to voice mail . This was probably good news , as we knew that past Twee Rivieren there was no reception , or had something happened to them , as they were running quite late.
At about 11.50 I was on the sat phone to Anthony to see if he had heard anything , when the most wonderful sight appeared. It was the Tuffstuff Iveco with trailer attached. Inside were Raymond and Andre from Tuffstuff , and Herman and Cameron from Angel Offroad. Herman was the designated driver , and even though the vehicle was new to him , he learnt it very quickly. More of his prowess to follow .
The Iveco was brand new , with only just 2000 km on the clock when it got to us. This was to be it's first recovery .
After a few hugs and kisses we were finally on our way !
We had a few false starts on the first dune , as Herman learned the Iveco's capabilities , but soon we were moving again .
We finally go to the car about an hour after we left Nossob . Much quicker than I expected . Things were indeed looking up .
It took about 20 mins to load the car on the trailer and secure everything and then we were on our way.
With a bit of winching amongst friends , we managed to get back to Nossob in under three hours , which I thought was great going .
We stopped briefly to pump up tyres , and then headed straight for Twee Rivieren , stopping only for calls of nature , some lions and a few moments to take in the scenery .
We arrived at Twee Riveieren at about 8:15 . which meant that the gate was already closed , but Raymond pulled some strings and they opened up for us. Next stop was supper at the restaurant which Raymond also took care of .
Raymond had Herman up at sunrise to have a go at repairing the car. But it was too low to work under safely , so after consultation with Phillip . the car was left at Twee Rivieren , and a rental car was organised for Phillip in Upington .
First of all thank you to Raymond and Andre from Tuffstuff , and Herman and Cameron from Angel Offroad for their effort .
Thanks also to Hennie Rautenbach , Anthony Walley , Peter Street of Landyworx , Steve Wells , Dirk of the 4×4 Community Forum , and many others whose names I don't remember for all your assistance .
Phillip's car was returned to him two days after delivery on time and in time to go away to Madikwe.
Why unknowingly was it important to recover the vehicle back to Upington and then flat bed it to our facility.
Fault established by Herman and confirmed by us was a burst pipe, Herman had the repair ferrule on hand. Suspension pump burnt out and motor was fubar, Herman had a replacement pump. Relay contacts were arced and Herman also had one of those as well. BUT what Herman did not know was that the centre bearing of the rear prop shaft was completely ripped out of its housing and that was caused by attempting to tow the vehicle, Which goes to show how low down the vehicle was and how high the middle mannetjie was. Now supposing Herman did fix the vehicle in situ and Pill attempted to drive the vehicle out without knowing the prop was floating around with out the centre bearing, I envisage major damage if not right off of the transfer box and or likewise the rear diff. This would have taken place between Nossob and Twee Rivieren and would still have to be flat bedded back. So therefore The Gentlemen of the Tuff Stuff team, Heine and Phillip mad a very good decision to recover the vehicle all the way back to a workshop facility, you saved Phillip a humongest amount of money .
What became very apparent to me on this trip is that a Sat phone is invaluable , as well as having enough airtime on it . Phillip and I both used in excess of 150 min each .
Check your insurance policy carefully , you'll probably find that Tuffstuff is one of the very few that offers comprehensive cross border benefits – yes this is a punt for them , but also a very important issue that caught Phillip out .
Philly – Xmas is around the corner. Write a letter to Santa and ask him for a LandCruiser. You will have a lot less stress and a lot more fun.
Forget all the witty remarks. I am glad you made it and are back in one piece.
Have been in a stressful situation in the bush before (Angola trip) and dont want it over.
Relax now, reflect, and dont let this dampen your enthusiasm for the bush. It IS a better way of living.
Fantastic!! feels like I have been there!! The story really encapsulates the trip. When I saw that first dune I realised…..hier kom moeilikheid! Like usal great friends met and all of us worked together like clockwork.
best part of all was getting to meet some really nice people.
Did I understand correctly? This guy was saved by Tuffstuff even while he was insured by some other company? One which does not fetch cars across borders.


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Dr. Bernard Fisher
DR. BERNARD FISHER: Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and lifelong Pittsburgh resident, died on Wednesday evening at the age of 101. He was predeceased in 2016 by his beloved wife of 69 years, Shirley Kruman Fisher. He leaves behind his beloved children Dr. Beth Fisher (Dr. Harvey Himel), Joseph Fisher (Debra), and Louisa Fisher Rudolph (James); his grandchildren Samuel Himel, Jordan Fisher, Jillian Fisher, Ali Rudolph Kander (Ben), and Jesse Rudolph; his great-grandchildren Yeshaya Fisher and Elle Shirley Kander; sister-in-law Harriett Kruman; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother Dr. Edwin Fisher (Carole) as well as brothers-in-law Julius Kruman and Jack Kruman (Estelle). Contributions in honor of Dr. Bernard Fisher's lifelong dedication to improving the lives of patients with breast and other forms of cancer may be made to the following: 1) University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Bernard Fisher Fund, contributions can be directed to the fund via the PittGiving website, http://giveto.pit.edu/DrBernardFisher. Alternatively checks can be made payable to the University of Pittsburgh and mailed to University of Pittsburgh, 128 N. Craig Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260; 2) In addition, a fund has been established in memory of Dr. Bernard Fisher at Conquer Cancer, the foundation of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Those contributions may be directed to the Dr. Bernard Fisher Annual Memorial Lecture at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) via the Conquer Cancer website at Conquer.org/Donate. Alternatively, checks can be made payable to Conquer Cancer and mailed to: Conquer Cancer, P.O. Box 896076, Charlotte, NC 28289-6076. Services and Interment Private. Memorial service to be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to RALPH SCHUGAR CHAPEL, INC., family owned and operated. www.schugar.com.
Dear Joey (Yussel), Louisa and Beth, Just heard about your dad, and want to express my deepest condolences. Sorry for your loss.
By Randy Berenfield and Debbi Berger - October 29, 2019
Dear Louisa and family, We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. What a remarkable man to have been able to call dad. May you all keep many warm and happy memories and know peace.
By Marilyn and Evan Merenstein - October 24, 2019
Dear Beth, Harvey, Sammy, and Family, Our deepest condolences on the death of your father, and grandfather. He left the world a much better place on a professional and personal level. It was wonderful learning of the leadership he provided as a young surgeon and physician. Our thoughts are with you, Janice, Marvin, and Max Gold
By Marvin Gold - October 21, 2019
Dear Louisa, Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. You have been a wonderful care giver. May good memories, good friends and family help you through this sad time.
By Minna Recht - October 21, 2019
Sorry to hear of your father's passing. He was something special and to him I will be forever grateful. Rest in heaven. Patty Prohaska
By Patty Prohaska - October 20, 2019
Bernie was a true hero and mentor to me and it was his own personal energy and commitment that made the NSABP go and be able to complete the clinical trials that forever changed the way we approach breast cancer.A light has gone out in my life!
By Thomas G Frazier MD - October 20, 2019
Dear Beth, Louisa & Joe , We are so saddened to hear about your dad. He led such a long, amazing life and contributed so significantly to how we treat cancer. He was always there to guide our family members and friends regarding challenging medical decisions. We know it was your strength and love that kept him going. Our thoughts are with you. Love , Laura & Ed
By Laura & Ed Rubinoff - October 19, 2019


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Q: Yii list view update on radio button selection In a model have 4 fields. id, name, address, status. In the list view showing a radio button list for displaying status. In the Listview i want to update the list based on the radio button selection. How it possible in Yii?

A: You can do this by:
array(
        'header' => 'Status',
        'name' => 'status',
        'value' => '($data->status == 0) ? "Yes" : "No"'
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in the view file CGridview widget:like this
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'id'=>'users-grid',
'dataProvider'=>$model->search(),
'filter'=>$model,
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    'header' => 'Status',
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    'value' => '($data->status == 0) ? "Yes" : "No"'
),`

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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A Little Boy's Nightmare
By Neal Klein | December 14, 2018
The Setting: Six-floor elevator brick apartment building built in the 1940's, 730 Rodgers Avenue, just North of Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn. 1963.
There was an open stairway with enough space between the banister and the floor above so that you could look down in between that space from the top floor to the bottom floor. It was a space from which Ned used to enjoy dangling his yo-yos on long, strung together rolls of kite string, so he could startle people getting their mail from the bank of mailboxes while he was upstairs, three flights up. "Hey, what are you doing?", was a comment Ned was used to hearing in the building. "Nothing bad. Just foolin' around," was his pat reply.
At the top of each stairway landing on each floor was a window that looked out on the front approach to the building's entrance. They were tilt-in Windows with a lever on either end so the windows could be tilted in and a young child could in theory, shoot paper clips using a rubber band out the window space at unsuspecting people coming or going in the courtyard.
Ned was a bit disgruntled when his parents would not buy him the pellet gun he craved which shot tiny eraser sized ammunition. But then he figured he probably would have gotten into trouble aiming at people from the hallway windows.
Somehow he managed to buy one from a friend and kept it hidden in one of his drawers and when he went outside to play he would drop it out of his bedroom window under which there were a bunch of shrubs and bushes and then he would go outside and retrieve it, play with it outside and somehow sneak it back into the apartment when no one was looking. Sometimes he would leave a long cord hanging from the third-floor apartment window down to the ground which he used to lower the gun from the apartment window, and when he was done playing he would tie the pellet gun with the cord. When he got back upstairs he would reel it up and in.
It all happened inside of ten minutes. Ned was in the apartment by himself. His mother, Bess, who was five feet four, brunette but colored blond, and attractive for forty said, "Going downstairs to the basement to do some laundry. If you aren't coming with me, stay in the apartment and behave. I'll be right back. Answer the phone if it rings. If it's Aunt Judy tell her I'll call her back when I get back up here. And don't open the door for anyone."
"Okay mom." A few minutes after she left, Ned heard something in the hallway and peeked through the peep hole in the heavy steel apartment door, which he had to stand tippy toe to reach. If it was going to be a long watch, he would pull over a kitchen chair.
One of the neighbors across the hall, Marie, just stepped off the elevator, "I can't breathe," she gasped and started breathing funny and clutched at her chest. She was a short rather stocky woman in her 60s. She was having a terribly difficult time breathing, wheezing, coughing and gasping loudly for air. After about a minute which seemed forever to Ned, and had him wondering if he was supposed to do something other than watch, her next door neighbor Shirley came out. "Let's get you onto your couch and call the doctor," and she helped her into Marie's apartment.
Ned watched this with a sudden shakiness arising in his legs, wondering what just happened, and thinking he saw something he was not supposed to see. Turns out that Marie died in the weeks following the incident. Tuck that little memory into a ten-year-old's psyche. One with a runaway imagination. One whose mother used guilt like cream cheese on a bagel. One who had nightmares from the Pepsident toothpaste commercial. It was the cavity monster that got into the dream. Bad ass, scary, ugly thing, got into the apartment under the space at the bottom of the steel door.
Two years later Ned's dad, who got short of breath with exertion like running around the bases during a softball game, and who had not been to a doctor in years, went to sleep one night and did not awake in the morning. Just happened to be on a Friday the thirteenth. Ned's dad was 43. Ned was 12. They had moved nine months ago from Brooklyn to Long Island. Ned was now left with his guilt-cheese spread, and no fatherly protection. His brother had already started college.
Needless to say Ned had a few issues around death and dying. Not to mention living.
Posted in Humor and More, Levity, Neal's Healing Process, story of the day


Interact with citizens, businesses, developers to assist with the understanding and implementing of the Coweta County Zoning & Development Ordinance.
Review various applications, site plans, etc. for compliance with Coweta County Ordinances.
Coordinate the review of all rezoning, conditional use permits, variances, and administrative height variances by appropriate departments and other related agencies.
Inspect the applicable sites to ensure complete review of applications.
Prepare various reports, packages, and presentations for Board of Zoning Appeals, Board of Commissioners, and public review.
Communicate the appropriate process and review with all interested parties.
Acknowledge decision of appropriate Boards and ensure records reflect accordingly.


Let's take a moment to bid our winter coats adieu. Spring has officially sprung, but if the warm weather still has you unconvinced, just head downtown. The New York City Parks Department confirmed that the Washington Square Park Fountain is back on for the season—as of April 17—so now's the time to swap those boots for flip-flops. While you're making the most out of fun outdoor activities during spring break, we definitely recommend dipping your feet in the water. It's the quintessential way for New Yorkers to welcome the season, after all. Plus it's National Picnic Day, so spending time in one of the city's beloved green spaces is a must. The fountain is 10 days ahead of schedule compared to 2018, when it turned on for the spring season on April 27. But we certainly don't mind enjoying a few extra days of splashing—especially when the kiddies are off from school. To summon those spring vibes and ensure that they're here to stay, it's probably in everyone's best interest to also scope out a spot near the park that offers delicious ice cream. We have to play it safe, friends, and we certainly can't take any chances. Enjoy dunking your toes in the water and knowing that your heavy North Face jacket won't make an appearance until the end of the year rolls around. (Well...at least we hope!) Sign up to receive great Time Out New York Kids deals in your inbox each day.
It looks like spring break activities for kids (and adults) just got a whole lot sweeter. Mark your calendars because a beloved character is NYC-bound on Apr 27...and she's bringing treats! Hello Kitty will roll into town in style courtesy of her adorable pink café truck, and needless to say this mobile venue is one of the cutest Instagrammable dessert spots in NYC, even if it's only here temporarily. Head to Flushing near The Shops at SkyView Center from 10am–8pm next Saturday to catch some sweets and swag. There's a lot for little Willy Wonkas to love. The menu includes a five-piece macaron set, a four-piece minicake set, a three-piece cookie set and much more. To add to the excitement, free totes will be given (while supplies last) to those who spend $25 or more. No need to tell us twice! Even better news? Cool merch—shirts, mugs, lunchboxes, plush toys—are also available for purchase. While we always encourage a trip to the best toy stores in NYC, we definitely suggest switching gears and making your way to the cafe truck while its parked in NYC. For all of those who will want to end spring break with a bang—and lots of delicious dishes—we also suggest a trip to the best ice cream shops in NYC. Don't forget to keep track of Hello Kitty's cafe truck schedule by visiting her website. Sign up to receive great Time Out New York Kids deals in your inbox each day.
Parents, we completely understand that it's not always easy to travel with kids in tow, but there's no reason to fret. We'll help you find ways to make the process a bit easier—and even tell you how to snag some perks along the way! For a third year, Target invites shoppers to participate in its car seat trade-in program from April 22-May 4. If your kiddo has outgrown his or her carseat, or if you're in the market for an upgrade, locate a drop-off box near you that allows you recycle your old item. What's accepted? Infant seats, convertible seats, car seat bases, harness and booster car seats are among the pieces you can donate. Target will even accept expired or damaged products. Although busy NYC parents are inclined to leave damaged materials out with the garbage, seriously consider adding this to your list of things to do in spring. Not only can you contribute to the brand's half a million recycled car seats (and counting) but you can enjoy a sweet deal: Shoppers who drop off their items will receive 20 percent off toward purchases such as new car seats, travel systems, stroller and baby home gear, among other items. Although you need to visit a local Target to participate, you can use your discount in-store and online until May 11. We smell a shopping spree on the horizon! Support a good cause and get a welcome discount when you stop by your go-to store. Now that you have the proper travel gear, it's time to embark on all of the fun things to do with kids in NYC!


Looking for intelligent voice control capabilities in your bathroom? Of course, you are! Look no further than the Verdera Voice Lighted Mirror with Kohler Konnect. It's an entirely new kind of smart mirror that will revolutionize your space and elevate your routine.


All files here are the property of J. A. Eddy and Dean Esmay, Copyright 2006-2010, and may not be reprinted or posted without the express consent of the authors.
Just ask, we're pretty easy easy about these things.


Versatile Nigerian Producer / Singer, Prokassy debuts his self produced official single "Calm Down" under his new label, Eskimo Records.
Eskimo records is a music label structured to give artistes chance to air their voice in a creative way in other to make a BIG impact in their immediate community and the world at large.
The Eskimo Records frontier also accompanies this audio with an outstanding Shalom Chikki directed visual interpretation of the hit single. The video was shot in Abuja, Nigeria.
Without Further ado, Watch, Download and Enjoy "Calm Down" by Prokassy.


You might know me as a supermodel and actress, but you probably don't know that over the last decade I dedicated myself to eating raw food and have educated hundreds of thousands of people worldwide about the benefits of a raw lifestyle through my two best-selling books on raw nutrition.
My quest for raw ingredients turned me into a label sleuth and I discovered that beauty products identified as "natural" or "organic" didn't always live up to their names. I found out that theres no government regulation in the beauty industry, so even products labeled as natural or organic can contain synthetic impurities such as petrochemicals, detergents, fragrances or preservatives. Yuck!
I decided to take action by creating my own skin care products out of the same raw ingredients I eat. I gave these products as gifts to friends who, like me, yearned for products that are free of nasty chemicals and ingredients, and to my delight, the products were well-received and well-loved. Thanks to this encouragement and a lot of scientific research, I'm now able to offer you the only skincare line that is Certified Raw.
I am looking for a website that can be incorporated with Magento.


There is a reason that The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is 3rd on Golf Digest's 'America's 100 Greatest Public Courses', it is a truly phenomenal course and a must-play for any golfer. The Ocean Course has played host to the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship in its illustrious history, however, there are four other championship courses at the resort; Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Oak Point and Cougar Point, that are all worthy of a round in their own right. The combination of these fantastic courses makes Kiawah Island one of the best golf resorts in America.
Kiawah Island sits on the sunny South Carolina coast, enjoying a year-round golfing climate. Fly into Charleston International Airport and enjoy the drive through the coastal 'islands', in under an hour you'll reach the Kiawah Resort. Once there you have the choice of two outstanding accommodations; The Sanctuary, a 225-room luxury hotel or The Villas, gorgeous private residences that make a holiday extra special. The resort boasts a number of state of the art facilities such as incredible dining options, tennis courts, spa and wellness centre. A stay here guarantees the holiday of a lifetime.
One of the greatest accolades that the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island has in it's locker is that it is one of only four courses to have hosted all of the US PGA Major Tournaments after the 2012 PGA Championship was staged there, in which Rory McIlroy set the course a light and won by a record 8 strokes. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is also engraved in golfing history due the plethora of other excellent tournaments that have been staged there. The 2007 Senior PGA, the 1997 and 2003 World Cups, and the 2001 UBS Cup have all graced the Ocean, but the highlight without a doubt was the 1991 Ryder Cup matches, dubbed 'The War on the Shore', which culminated with Bernhard Langer missing 'that putt'.
The standard of Pete Dye's 1991 creation, which is frequently buffeted by the prevailing Atlantic winds. Ten holes track the coastline, with the remaining eight running parallel just inland, making it one of the world's most spectacular courses, and also one of the most desirable destinations for the true golf aficionado.
The Osprey Point Course is one of the resort's most popular courses for resort guests. Idyllic Forests, Lagoons and Saltwater marshes make The Osprey Course a fantastic track. In 2014, the course underwent a mega renovation spearheaded by renowned course architect Tom Fazio. The course is now one of the finest golfing layout's in South Carolina and has won countless awards including ranked 10th in 50 Best Courses for Women by Golf for Women and it also was awarded a near perfect 4 ½ stars in Golf Digest's " Best Places to Play". Osprey Point should not just be known for an excellent course but also for a very elegant clubhouse where you can enjoy a post round drink or a bite to eat. It is also a fantastic venue for Wedding receptions and special functions.
Cougar Point is currently under a mega renovation and is set to reopen in 2017. The renovation will address completely re-grassing the greens, tees and fairways, laser levelling all tee boxes including the driving range, redesigning bunkers and updating the irrigation throughout all the course. Cougar's Point had been recently rated "Golf Course of the Year" by South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association and offers some of the Island's most spectacular views. The Course was originally designed by Marsh Point, but in 1996 it was re-designed by golfing legend Gary Player.
Turtle Point recently reopened after enjoying a mega 9-month renovation that included refurbishing green complexes, re-grassing the greens, tees and fairways, rebuilding all the bunkers, laser levelling all tee boxes and advanced irrigation throughout all the course. The course is now at the best it's ever been and is becoming very much a favourite for golfers on a Kiawah Island Golf Experience. The course was designed by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, who has designed 100's of courses all over the world. Jack has said that his number one goal in designing courses is to "make the player use his mind ahead of his muscles". Turtle Point certainly reflects Jack's quote, so be sure to have a thorough read of the course planner before hitting the fairways.
The Resort purchased Oak Point in 1997, making Kiawah Island home to 5 stunning golf courses and also one of the World's most impressive golf resorts. In 2015, the course underwent a large-scale renovation making it on the same level as the resort's other championship golf courses. The course was designed by Clyde Johnston, who has a stellar portfolio of golf courses across the USA and the UK. Hailing from South Carolina, Clyde designed Oak Point on the grounds of a former cotton and indigo plantation. It is highly regarded as a shot making course, where strategy and course management are crucial to avoid trouble and give yourself the best chance of making pars & birdies.
The Kiawah Island Resort, while predominantly known for its rich golfing portfolio, also boasts excellent luxury accommodation options, ranging from the luxury beachfront hotel to the intimate private villas.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island is located on the perfect white sand of Kiawah Island's coastline, and is a luxury retreat that captures the spirit, history and charm inherent to the Charleston area. The 255 guest rooms and suites are equipped with the most exquisite amenities, most notably hand crafted armoires and desks, custom made beds and private seating areas. Having garnered much praise and many coveted accolades, the Sanctuary is the luxury way to experience Kiawah Island.
Ranging in size, and boasting distinctive locations and views, the Resort Villas ensure that there is an option to suit every demand. Catering particularly well to larger groups and families, the villas ensure the added privacy that can make a golf holiday that little bit more special.
The Sanctuary Luxury Spa is one of only 17 similar facilities in America to be honoured with 4 stars by the Mobil Travel Guide, and its quality is derived from two key facets: the therapeutic value of the extracts of the low country's foundations, such as seaweed and mineral-rich soil, and the old-fashioned values of Southern hospitality. Kiawah Island also boasts the #2 tennis resort in the world, offering tuition for players of all standards, and the latest tennis technology. There is something for everyone at Kiawah - on land, enjoy cycling, hiking and walking, while the swimming pools and the Atlantic offer an endless list of aquatic possibilities. During your visit to Kiawah Island, be sure to head out on one of the charter boats for a deep sea fishing adventure. The Ocean Room is a culinary delight - dishes influenced by the flavours of North Africa, Spain and southern France saw it awarded 4 Diamonds by the AAA. Among the countless dining options, the luxury ice cream and frozen yoghurt at Beaches & Cream is absolutely essential.
The accomondation is as good as a five star hotel has to be.


text:
2020 F1 Tickets
GPDestinations
F1 Calendar News: February 2019 Round-Up
Filed in Blog/News by Nicky Haldenby on February 28, 2019 • 0 Comments
Azerbaijan extends its Formula 1 contract as the future of the Mexican Grand Prix is cast into doubt. Elsewhere the Dutch Grand Prix won't be funded by the government and teams have concerns about further expansions of the calendar. Here's a round up of all of the F1 calendar news from February!
Baku to remain on calendar until 2023
The start of the month saw confirmation that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will remain on the Formula 1 calendar for the next five seasons, after organisers signed a new deal. The Baku City Circuit, which joined the calendar in 2016, already had a contract to stay on the calendar until next year, but the new deal extends its tenure for an additional three years.
Chase Carey noted how the race had become "one of the most popular of the season" as a result of dramatic and unpredictable Sunday afternoons in each of the last two years. Attendance figures have grown significantly since the first event in 2016, with the crowd size tripling over the past three years, but the event remains one of the least attended of the season.
#1#2#3#4
Mexico Grand Prix future in doubt
The future of the Mexican Grand Prix appears uncertain as the new Mexican government has pulled its funding of the event. 2019 is the last year of the current contract for Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. El Financeiro reports that the annual $21 million funding sum will instead be spent on the country's 'Mayan Train' railway project.
Mexican driver Sergio Perez conceded that the future of the event is "not looking good", and said it could take decades for the event to return to the calendar should it lose its current place. The Mexican Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar for a third time in 2015 following a 23-year absence.
Financial troubles at COTA?
The late submission of paperwork may have jeopardised the future of the U.S. Grand Prix in Texas. The paperwork in question was an anti-human trafficking plan, which had to be submitted 30 days prior to the 2018 event. The paperwork was submitted on 3rd October – just 16 days before the U.S. Grand Prix weekend. As a result, the organizers won't be reimbursed at least $20 million from the state of Texas for the 2018 race.
Since 2012, the event has taken $150 million from Texas' Major Events Reimbursement Program, relying on the funds to make the U.S. Grand Prix weekend happen. In 2015, organisers claimed that a $5 million reduction in the annual amount available threatened the future of the event. While the event survived that blow, finding a further $20 million in the coming year could be a difficult task, though the organisers are hopeful that a solution can be worked out.
#1#2#3
Dutch GP won't be funded by government
Hopes of a future Dutch Grand Prix may have hit a setback as the country's government will not provide financial support for the event. While Bruno Bruins, the minister for medical care and sports in the Netherlands, acknowledged the potential economic value of the race, he ultimately added that government funding would be "neither necessary nor justified".
Both Zandvoort, which previously hosted a round of the F1 championship between 1952-85, and Assen, current host of the Dutch round of the MotoGP championship, are said to be interested in hosting the event. Speculation has risen over the return of a race in the Netherlands following the rise of local talent Max Verstappen, who has single-handedly raised attendance figures at races in the nearby countries.
Other news in brief:
Malaysia's Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that he hopes F1 will return to Malaysia. He acknowledged the Sepang International Circuit's effect on the motorsport industry within the country during an acceptance speech for a Lifetime Achievement Award earlier in the month.
Chase Carey responded to last month's criticism of Liberty Media by the Formula One Promoters' Association, calling it "strange". He added that their criticism will not change the owners' approach to the running of the sport.
McLaren's former Racing Director Eric Boullier has joined the organisation team at the French Grand Prix. He'll be both the 'strategic advisor (sport and operational)' and 'global ambassador' for the Paul Ricard event.
Alfa Romeo Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has said that smaller teams will suffer financially should the F1 calendar expand. Vasseur told RaceFans that 25 3-day weekends per year would require employing a second team of extra staff, as its unreasonable to expect team members to spend such an amount of time away from home each season. Shortening the race weekend is one of the options available to F1 moving forward.
Do you think Mexico and Texas will keep their places on the F1 calendar? Would you welcome the return of the Dutch Grand Prix? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Tags: azerbaijan grand prix, baku city circuit, COTA, cota f1, dutch gp, f1 calendar news, full-image, mexican gp, mexican gp future, mexican grand prix, mexico f1 future, netherlands f1 race
Nicky Haldenby is a Formula One writer from Scarborough, England. Having grown up with F1 often on the TV on Sunday afternoons, Nicky has been following the sport avidly since 2006. After graduating from University in 2015 with a First Class degree in English Language and Literature, he founded his own F1 website and now regularly writes articles about both the sport's history and current affairs.
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Social Media Marketing in 2022: A Look At The Numbers
Connectica • January 5, 2022 • Social Media Marketing
It's a new year and businesses around the world have welcomed the opportunity to begin on a clean slate while using the momentum from the year gone by. There's never been a better time to assess your current social media marketing strategy and pinpoint areas to improve.
Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of various social media platforms is a great place to start, highlighting where you should invest in your energy.
Stay with us as we dive into the benefits of social media marketing, and which platforms offer the best return on investment. We'll break down the important statistics that you need to know so that you can make the most of social media marketing in 2022.
The past year saw the rise of TikTok reaching one billion users. Businesses already on the platform were in a prime position for success, beating brands that joined at a later stage.
Position your brand in the best way possible by staying ahead of the curve and up to date with various social media platforms.
Facebook is the world's most-used social media platform and is used as a source of news consumption, entertainment, marketing, and making connections. A 2021 survey revealed that 79% of marketers report buying paid advertising on Facebook, and more than 50% plan to continue the investment in 2022.
Facebook has been losing its hold with younger audiences, but it continues to expand into other markets. By constantly adding new tools and business options, Facebook is positioned for future growth. In 2022, we can expect a strong eCommerce focus, AR/VR development, and algorithmic shifts. In addition, audio social is predicted to have long-term usage.
Facebook offers the following benefits for businesses:
Low-cost marketing strategy
Share basic business information
Update audience on business happenings with pictures and videos
Raise brand awareness
Direct traffic to your website
Twitter reached 211 million active users on a daily basis in the later months of 2021. The Twitter landscape is primed for engagement, with 93% of Twitter community members being open to having involved conversations with brands. With this in mind, 79% of global marketers partaking in a recent survey intend to continue investing in Twitter Spaces in 2022.
In the past 18 months, Twitter has developed several new features, many of which have been unremarkable. Yet the platform hopes that new payment frameworks will encourage brands to continue investing in the platform, such as Super Follows and Ticketed Spaces.
Businesses continue to invest in Twitter for the following reasons:
Valuable customer insights
Build authority in an industry
Offer customer support and gather feedback
Create a brand community
Reach a wide audience
Cost-effective marketing efforts
As a visual platform, Instagram has inspired businesses to create an account and make an effort to post on a regular basis. An estimated 58% of marketers plan to take advantage of new Instagram features, such as Instagram Reels, in 2022. In fact, 90% of the 1.386 billion Instagram users follow a business on the platform.
Instagram is a particularly popular platform for influencer marketing and visually powerful content. It's also known for keeping up with trends, following in the footsteps of Snapchat and TikTok. Experts predict that eCommerce will be a strong focus for Instagram in 2022, as well as an integration of AR features.
Want to know the benefits of Instagram for businesses? Consider the following as a starting point:
Great for re-using marketing materials
Attract engaged traffic
Take advantage of user-generated content
Drive website traffic
Useful for influencer marketing
Advertising campaign features
During the pandemic, Pinterest saw a notable shift in its eCommerce features. Many of the 444 million active monthly users turned to Pinterest instead of the shopping mall, boosting the popularity of the platform.
In the coming year, Pinterest needs to keep the momentum going and efforts are already being made to release engaging features. For example, Pinterest is pushing video content. The platform is also working on a live shopping feature which is expected for the second quarter of 2022.
Many businesses invest in Pinterest, largely because of the following benefits:
Opportunity to identify emerging trends
Increase brand authority
Drive traffic to the website
Access useful analytics
Run adverts and promote pins
TikTok was the most downloaded app in 2020. The platform is popular among the younger generations, with 41% of users being between 16 and 24 years old. TikTok is also a growing platform among influencers, with an additional 70,000 influencers emerging on the platform in 2020, compared to 2019.
In the coming year, TikTok is expected to go from strength to strength. The platform is expected to shift its focus to a more effective monetization strategy, including an effort in providing eCommerce features. Live streaming is also expected to be a major focus, indicating that it will play a key role in TikTok's algorithm.
While TikTok isn't traditionally associated with businesses, it does offer brands certain benefits such as;
Access to a large audience
Great user engagement
Advantages of localization
TikTok advertising features
Other social media platforms to keep in mind include:
Social Media Marketing with Connectica
At Connectica, we're proud to have our finger on the pulse of digital trends. Our team of social media marketing experts makes us the number one choice for small and big businesses in Florida wanting to stay on-trend.
Give us a call at 877-816-2259 and chat with our friendly team. You can also follow Connectica on Facebook to stay up to date with digital marketing news.
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English Literature » Notes » God's Divine Justice in Dante's "Inferno"
Notes / Words: 2,876 / April 18, 2020 April 21, 2020
Alternate question: Discuss Divine Justice in Dante's Inferno.
Midway through the journey of our life, I found
myself in a dark wood, for I had strayed
from the straight pathway to this tangled ground.
These famous lines are from Dante Alighieri's Inferno which signify the themes of religion and personal salvation in the poem. Often when someone embarks on a journey of self-discovery, they travel to places which could astound one by their strangeness. When is he is expecting to see straightforward and acceptable things, he is suddenly presented with exceptions. Just as such self-examiners might encounter their inner demons, so does Dante Alighieri, as he sets out to walk through his Inferno, both as a character and a writer.
The image of being lost in "dark woods" sets up a clear contrast between the supposed unenlightened ignorance that one endures due to a lack of faith in God and the clear radiance provided by God's love. Dante uses contrasting symbols to indicate the character's challenge. The "dark woods" symbolizes Dante's fear, yet the "right road" symbolizes his confidence in God, ultimately revealing that Dante's journey is to find the presence of God in a sinful world. However, the journey upon which Dante is embarking is not solely his, but rather that of every human being.
Consistent with the views of his time, Dante believes that this journey is one that each and every individual must undertake, so as to understand their sins and find peace with God. Modern reader can identify with this element, as present society is conscious of an individual's right to find peace within themselves and the universe. While there are many different religions and divine beings which are worshiped today, the medieval idea of salvation and spiritual peace is still applicable to any of these variations.
Dante's journey throughout the Inferno also gives the audience a glimpse into his own perception of what constitutes sin. It may be harder for modern audience to agree with the punishment for certain sins, in light of liberal advances in society's views and the constantly changing nature of moral and social norms. The punishments and torments that sinners are subjected to in Dante's Inferno may seem extreme to modern audience, however, throughout the poem it becomes clear that there is balance in God's justice and each sinner suffers to a degree befitting the gravity of their sins.
Dante's journey to save his soul reveals a correspondence between a soul's sin on Earth and the punishment received in Hell. A few examples are the Gluttonous, who are forced to eat excrement; the Sullen, who choke on mud; the Wrathful, who attack one another. This brings into light one of Dante's main themes, the perfection of God's justice, which is relevant throughout time.
Through me the road to the souls in abomination.
Justice moved my great maker;
The inscription on the gates of Hell in Canto 3 explicitly states that God created Hell and its punishments through the motivation of justice.
Hell exists to punish sin and the specific punishments awarded are suitable, as they testify to the divine perfection, which all sin violates. To modern audience, the punishments that Dante and Virgil behold on their journey through the circles of Hell, may seem harsh. For example, those who charge interest on loans must sit beneath a rainy storm of fire, and homosexuals must suffer an eternity of walking on hot sand. These, like many of the sins that Dante beholds in the Inferno, are socially acceptable and common in the present world.
Though many cultures do not accept homosexual relations, intolerance for this style of life has decreased significantly in the past generation and by many, is no longer viewed as a sin against nature. Likewise, charging interest on loans is common in the commercialized business economies in this modern world. Modern audience would not consider the punishments received by these sinners as appropriate. However, it is important to bear in mind that Dante is writing during a period of great religious influence and obedience to theological ideals.
Moreover, when the poem is viewed in its entirety, it becomes clear that the guiding principle behind these punishments is one of justice and balance. The poem progresses from minor sins to major ones, as the travelers proceed deeper into the Hell and closer to Lucifer himself. While some audience may object to the placements of some sins, the damned souls that reside in the deepest part of Hell, the 9th Circle, are neither a medieval nor modern view, but in fact, timeless.
Dante reserves the harshest torments for traitors – those who have committed sins against those whom the sinner has special ties to, like family or friends. Despite the act, modern readers can agree that a traitor of this nature must be deservedly punished. Early on in Inferno, Dante presents tension between the objective impersonality of God's justice and the human sympathy that the character of Dante feels for the souls that he sees around him. However, Dante is demonstrating that sinners receive punishment in divine proportion to their sin and to pity their suffering is to demonstrate a lack of understanding.
The audience must be wary of succumbing to the sympathy that Dante first shows towards some of the damned souls, as angels from heaven show their lack of concern for the damned and eventually, Dante also becomes less inclined to pity the sinners, trusting the infinite wisdom of divine justice. It is assumed in Christian theology that God is divine and just and therefore it is futile to question His judgments. Subsequently, it should be realized that Dante's sympathy towards some of the characters in Hell is incorrect.
Everything about God is just; it is only in the mortal world of sin and death that one finds injustice, which is the mark of Cain on humanity. Yet Dante's treatment of some characters demands the audience to put aside their sins and admire their human traits. However, if the audience begin to feel sympathy for Francesca, it must be noted that she is a woman who blames others for her own difficulties; Pier delle Vigne has totally abandoned his loyalty to God in favor of his powerful emperor; Ulysses is a character with great ego; and even Ugolino's paternal feelings have a central concern for his own well-being.
These characteristics may elude the audience and so two figures from heaven descend into hell to remind Dante of his mission, indicating how the audience should perceive these sinners. Virgil tells Dante of Beatrice's visit to Limbo, where she admits no compassion for the tribulations of the damned; she only wishes to return to Paradise as soon as possible. When an angel arrives to open the gates of Dis, which had been slammed in the face of Virgil, he makes it clear that he has no interest in the damned nor in Dante's situation, he only wants to complete his task quickly and leave Hell.
Despite these reminders, both the character of Dante and the reader fall victim to their human sympathy for many of the sinners in the earlier cantos. Throughout Canto 3, Dante displays a great deal of sympathy for the souls he encounters in Hell; his depiction of Hell as a walled city conforms to medieval Catholic theology and exemplifies the religious awareness noticed in the period. Upon passing through the gates of Hell, Dante hears innumerable cries of torment and suffering. Virgil explains that these cries emanate from the souls of those who lived their lives without making conscious moral choices and did not commit their lives to good or evil. Also, the indifference of these souls have caused both Heaven and Hell to deny them entry. These souls now reside in the Ante-Inferno, within Hell yet not truly part of it. In that place, they must chase constantly after a blank banner. The empty banner symbolizes their meaningless existence on earth. Flies and wasps continually bite them, and writhing worms consume the blood and tears that flow from them.
The souls of the uncommitted are joined in this torment by the neutral angels – those who sided neither with God nor with Satan in the war in Heaven.
That death had undone so many, I had not dreamed.
Like Dante, modern audience will also find it hard to accept the fate of these indecisive souls. It seems unfair that by not succumbing to either good or evil, they must still endure punishment in the afterlife. In this canto, Dante also describes Hell as being formed out of justice and also as a city-
Through me the road to the city of desolation
Historically, large cities had begun to play an increasingly important role in the social and economic life of Europe during Dante's time. Particularly in Italy, where city-states such as Dante's native Florence had become important bases of social organization. Dante portrays Hell as a city in large part because, to a thinker in the early fourteenth century, any substantial human population would have suggested a city. In religious terms, there are only two great "cities": Heaven or Hell.
While Heaven is a city of God, Hell is a city of Man; as the damned souls have succumbed to temptation and sin, preoccupied only with self-preservation and gain. This may be a more medieval idea, as cities were viewed as a source of evil and were enjoying a relatively new period of prosperity. However, crime in modern times is more prevalent in cities and thus, more citizens prefer to live in the suburbs. Even the structure of Hell represents a city. The outer limits are like the countryside, containing the indecisive souls.
As Dante and Virgil progress through the outer circles, which can be seen as the suburbs, they encounter lesser sins. However, as they continue further into the depths of Hell and towards the city's heart, the sins increase in gravity. Dante's opinion of the sinners also begins to progress and become less sympathetic at this point. In Cantos XII and XIII, Dante continues to exhibit sympathy for some sinners, however appears to be becoming more cynical as he encounters many damned souls from Florence; the punishments in these cantos also reflect a rationale for appropriate degrees of anguish.
In these cantos, Dante encounters souls who were violent towards others and themselves. The first group must stand in a pool of boiling blood. Going along with the theme of appropriate punishment as part of God's justice, each of these souls is subjected to a different level of agony. The souls who only killed one person stand only with their legs in the boiling blood. However, the souls of tyrants, like Alexander, have even their heads submerged. Why must these souls stand in boiling blood and not water?
It is because it was blood which they lusted after during life, causing them to be violent. In this portion of his journey, Dante does not display sympathy for the torment of these souls. "O senseless rage and blind cupidity/that in the short life stimulate us so/and in eternal one drench us wretchedly. " As opposed to the earlier cantos, Dante recognizes that the greed and anger of these souls during life are responsible for their punishment in Hell. In the next canto, Dante encounters those souls who were violent towards themselves by committing suicide.
Their fate in afterlife is to suffer as trees; having discarded their bodies while on earth, these souls have been rendered unable to assume human form for the rest of eternity. To some modern readers, the punishment of souls who commit suicide may seem unnecessary, as these people must have already endured great suffering during life to commit such a sin. The punishment of violence, however, seems appropriate. Towards the end of Canto XIII, Dante learns from one tree-soul that his home city, Florence, constantly succumbs to conflict due to its abandonment of Mars as it patron saint, in favour of John the Baptist. "…
The city that chose the Baptist to replace/ its ancient patron, who for all time to come/will therefore use his art to afflict our race. " Mars was the god of war and thus, Florence is persistently filled with feuding factions. Dante, however, tends to blame the state of Florence's politics on certain influential leaders of his time. In Canto XXVII, Dante shows his intolerance for the political corruption in Florence, along with a more cynical and modern view, believing that moral dilemmas should be addressed using logic and not by blindly following a religious figure, as Pope Boniface VII led da Montefeltro to Hell.
The political and spiritual leaders in Florence are subjected to harsh punishments and viewed with great contempt by the character of Dante, due to the personal history of the author. Dante Alighieri was born in 1265 in Florence, Italy, to a family of moderate wealth that had a history of involvement in the complex Florentine political scene. Dante's personal life and subsequent writing of The Divine Comedy were greatly influenced by the politics of the late 13th Century. The struggle for power in Florence between the church and state for authority was a conflict that existed throughout Europe.
In Florence, these two loyalties were represented by the Guelph party, which supported the papacy, and the Ghibelline party, which supported imperial power. The last truly powerful Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II, died in 1250, and by Dante's time, the Guelphs were in power in Florence. However, the party had divided into two factions: the Whites (Dante's party), who supported the independence of Florence from strict papal control, and the Blacks, who were willing to work with the pope in order to restore their power.
Under the direction of Pope Boniface VIII, the Blacks gained control of Florence in 1301 and Dante, as a visible and influential leader of the Whites, was exiled within a year. In Canto XXVII, Dante encounters the damned soul of Guido da Montefeltro, who had been a member of the Ghibelline party but had undergone a spiritual conversion and entered a Franciscan monastery. However, he was subsequently persuaded to re-enter politics on the opposite side by Pope Boniface VIII. Boniface eventually asked da Montefeltro's advice on how to capture a Ghibelline fortress and promised him absolution in advance, despite the accuracy of any advice.
However, upon his death, da Montefeltro was pulled into Hell by a devil who exclaimed:
… Because of the fraudulent counsel he presented.
I've been at his hair since the instant of the wrong,
for no one can be absolved who has not repented…
It is impossible for a man to receive absolution before sinning, as absolution cannot precede repentance and repentance cannot precede the sin. At this point, Dante does not question the spiritual authority of the Christian Church. He does, however, show his contempt for Pope Boniface. Dante's message from this encounter is hat when Christians find themselves faced with moral dilemmas, they must use their reason rather than blindly follow the directions of a church figure. Dante does not believe that the Church's authority should overrule logic, especially given the Church's frequent descents to corruption. This is an element of the Inferno which modern readers can greatly relate to. Presently, science and other logical studies dictate man's knowledge of his world. It is also used more frequently in making decisions than basic reliance on one's religion, as was the case in medieval times.
While the modern reader can relate to Dante's insistence that logic dominate religion in certain matters, there are still many elements of Dante's Hell which may trouble a modern audience. As aforementioned, many of the punishments may seem harsh and even unwarranted, given present social and moral norms. Another element of disagreement may be found with Dante's depiction of Limbo. In Canto IV, Virgil and Dante descend into the First Circle of Hell, known as Limbo, which is inhabited by those souls who led virtuous lives but were not baptized or lived before the advent of Christianity.
In a world where there are many different religions and belief systems that, for the most part, co-exist relatively harmoniously, the idea of punishing pagans seems unjust. If these souls were unaware of Christianity or chose not to follow this faith during life, then why should they be subjected to the same judgment as Christians? This is an example of the dominant Christian theme in the Inferno and one of the many reasons why modern readers may find it difficult to identify with Dante's Hell. Consequently, the greatest challenge that Dante's Inferno presents to modern readers is its lack of tolerance.
This is due to the great influence that the Christian religion enjoyed during this period and the rigid outline of sins that existed in the Bible. The character of Dante is prepared to offer sympathy towards some souls, but is encouraged by heavenly messengers to show no compassion or tolerance for the sins of the damned. French philosopher, Voltaire, later would identify this flaw in the Christian faith:
Of all religions, Christianity is without a doubt the one that should inspire tolerance most, although, up to now, the Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.
Divine Comedy: Summary