On 30 July, the European Banking Authority unveiled the results of the latest stress-test. In the 2014 exercise, 123 banks were tested and 24 would have failed during a serious economic shock. The capital shortage was calculated at €25 billion. This year, the test encompassed 51 banks and there was no pass/fail grade, a fact criticized by many. In a simulated scenario of a serious economic shock, a big majority of banks had still a satisfactory capital ratio after the shock in 2018. The worst performer was the Italian Bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena. In case of a serious shock, it would end up with a negative capital ratio. To counter the bad news, the bank itself presented an emergency plan on the same day as EBA´s announcement. It is in line with the EU rules and would improve the bank´s performance. Meanwhile, Italian banking system is still the largest risk on the eurozone financial market, with many big banks having a high number of bad loans in their portfolios.


The moniker after Mick LaSalle's name says "Chronicle Movie Critic." Is that little bald man, sitting straight-backed, stiff-necked in his chair, hat in his lap, a picture of LaSalle? The movie page editors headlined his February 29 review: "'Chicago 10′ Painted As Heroes, But They Come Off as Obnoxious." Oy vey. Millions murdered in a crazy war on the other side of the world by that infamous President from Texas (Lyndon "How many boys did you kill today?" Johnson, not today's imposter George W. Bush), thousands and thousands of young draftees thrown into the vortex of slaughter — and Abbie Hoffman is obnoxious?
Brett Morgen's docu-drama, "Chicago 10," is an edge-of-your-seat sight to behold, full of archival footage straight from the streets of the 1968 Democratic convention in Richard Daly's police state Chicago. No talking heads here, folks.
But critic LaSalle complains about the movie's "unfortunate use of animation for the trial scenes." Unfortunate, in my history book, that no cameras recorded the 1969-70 trial of Rennie Davis, Dave Dellinger, John Froines, Tom Hayden, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, Lee Weiner and Abbie — tried for conspiracy to upset the Democrats' march to war. Mr. LaSalle, this is a movie. It needs visuals.
LaSalle wants a "more sober, considered treatment." I'm old enough to remember all those static drawings from the trial in the daily fishwraps. I particularly remember the drawings of Bobby Seale, chairman of the Black Panther Party, gagged, bound and chained to his chair, in the middle of the trial, for obnoxiously daring to represent himself, and for complaining about the pictures of slave-holders like George Washington hanging in the courtroom. The drawings of Seale were shocking forty years ago. But watching the animated rendition of this racist depredation, of Seale struggling to free himself, of his co-defendants rising from their seats in shocked disbelief, interspersed with scenes of the brutal suppression of free speech in the streets of Chicago during that convention of "democrats," will have you squirming in YOUR seat, trying to break your own chains — especially in today's world of water torture, "harsh interrogations" and government-organized kidnaping.
Originally, there were eight defendants, known as the Chicago 8. Eventually, the judge severed Seale's case, and some started calling them the Chicago 7, as if Seale had not only been bound and gagged, but disappeared as well. Morgen goes the other way, and adds in the defendants' two lawyers — William Kunstler and Leonard Weinglass — to make it the Chicago 10. Kunstler and Weinglass were both found in contempt of court by Judge Julius Hoffman and sentenced to hard time — Kunstler to four years.
But not a word of any of this from critic LaSalle. Instead, he complains that all those anti-war protesters, hippies, yippies and assorted angry young people who went to Chicago "ended up aiding the campaign of Richard Nixon, not unlike the Naderites who helped elect George W. Bush a generation later." As if Hubert Humphrey, the "happy warrior" stand-in for LBJ's imperial bravado, would have ended the war. I guess we should have all shut up and worshiped at the Democrat's feet while being drafted off to the jungles of Vietnam. In any event, Mr. LaSalle, it was actually the renegade Supremo Court that selected George W.
LaSalle claims to have trouble sorting out "the meaning of these events" and who the real "good guys" are. Indeed he does, preferring instead to wring his hands over the film's use of "undigested" footage from the streets, the use of "modern pop music," and Allen Ginsberg "intoning 'Om' into the microphone" during a showdown with the cops.
In the middle of the movie, Abbie, asked about the trial, says it's cool, he has a good seat. Mr. LaSalle is still sitting in his seat, forty years later, hat in hand, trying to figure out who the "good guys" are.


text:
To run right now:
./mkenv.sh
source myenv_fit
nosetests -v

Note, if you want to be able to work with the code "live" (rather
than running nosetest on the working), do a
python setup.py develop

This will allow you to do stuff like:
python
>>> import sm_plugin

and so on. The 'develop' mode sets stuff up so that you work on the
code and it is instantly reflected in the environment rather than
having to reinstall it over and over again.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
BLANCO IS HEADED TO CHICAGO
MLSNet.com
Chicagoland Soccer News.com
Star Mexican forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco will put pen to paper Tuesday on a deal with the Chicago Fire, the club has announced.
Blanco will become the third designated player signed by an MLS since the "Beckham Rule" was announced earlier this offseason.
It's going to be very interesting to see how Brighton native and Chicago head coach Dave Sarachan handles the potential powder keg in the Fire locker room that the team has just acquired. Blanco could make Preki's job of handling Amado Guevara and Bruce Arena's job of handling Clint Mathis look easy.
At a minimum, Chicago may have just signed the most hated man in MLS.........................
Red Bulls still trying to make moves?
The Red Bulls have added Clint Mathis, are reportedly trying to add Aston Villa forward Juan Pablo Angel, and now may be going after Marcelo Salas. Ives Galarcep has this latest rumor in his blog and it's interesting that this rumor is popping up after the Angel rumor has been simmering for a while.
But, this is far from the biggest rumor of the week........
Zidane to LA???????
Now there are a ton of reason that this won't happen (LA only owns 1 designated player slot currently and they used it to sign Beckham, they'll need a second (and final) designated player slot in 2008 for Landon Donovan, and will AEG spend the money that Zidane will want to sign with MLS?), but you have to admit that this would be an amazing signing if it were to happen.
The best reason for this move would be to allow Beckham to slide out to his natural spot wide right and let Zidane control the middle of the park for the Galaxy.
Which USNT will Michael Bradley play for this summer?
Yanks Abroad
Apparently U-20 MNT head coach Thomas Rongen isn't feeling as confident about having Michael Bradley with his team at the U-20 World Cup in Canada this summer. Bradley looked really good with the USMNT versus Guatemala and Ecuador and may get a call into the USMNT for the Gold Cup and/or the Copa America this summer which just so happen to be around the same timeframe as when Rongen would be looking to have Bradley with his team in Canada.
USWNT residency camp opens today
Greg Ryan has called 32 players into the latest USWNT residency camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
The team will be in Carson for four months when they break at the end of July. The team will then have a series of tune up games and camps in August ahead of the Women's World Cup in China which kicks off on September 10th.
Peter Amos looking to add a former USWNT player to the mix
Rhinos women's head coach Peter Amos talked about going after a former USWNT player when he was on Kick This! on Saturday. When pressed about who that player might be, all he would give up is that he feels that goalkeeper is the most important position in women's soccer.
So, I'm looking at the list of USWNT goalkeepers lately and here's what we have:
Likely out due to being part of the USWNT residency camp: Jenni Branam, Hope Solo, Nicole Barnhart, Kristin Luckenbill, and Briana Scurry
Could be in the mix: LaKeysia Beene (2001 WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year), Siri Mullinix , Emily Oleksiuk (Penn State alum), Jaime Pagliarulo , and Saskia Webber (Rutgers alum and from NJ).
At first glance, I would be tempted to guess that Webber would be the one with a link to Amos given that he's from NJ and spent time with the New York Magic of the W-League. She's in her mid-30s, but as Pat Onstad has proven, goalkeepers can play forever. But we shall see...........

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


1. Melt together cocoa butter and coconut oil over low heat or in double boiler.
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla flavored stevia drops.
5. Remove from molds and keep stored in the refrigerator.
Tender chicken breast stuffed with creamy guacamole and wrapped in bacon that's grilled until the bacon is nice and crispy!
2. Grill over indirect medium heat, with the lid down, until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked (160F to 165F), about 20-30 minutes, or bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven on a wire rack on a baking pan until cooked, about 20-30 minutes, turning the oven to broil for the last few minutes to ensure that the bacon is crispy.
Option: Replace the salt and pepper with your favorite seasoning blend.
Option: Add flavors to the guacamole like sundried tomatoes or blue cheese, etc.
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2.Carefully cut stem end off of the spaghetti squash and discard. Cut squash into approximate 1" rings, width-wise. With a spoon or tip of a knife, gently remove seeds and pulp from each ring; discard.
3.Place spaghetti squash rings laying down on prepared baking sheet. Bake in oven for about 40-45 minutes or until strands separate easily when scraped with a fork.
4.While the spaghetti squash is baking, cut your bacon into pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat, moving and turning frequently, until bacon is fully cooked and crispy. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon pieces from skillet and set aside.
5.Remove the spaghetti squash from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Remove shells of each ring and separate stands with a fork. Place strands in a large bowl.
6.Add butter to your warm spaghetti squash (if your strands have cooled too much, heat in the microwave a bit) and toss with the strands until the butter is fully melted and incorporated. Stir in parmesan cheese and bacon crumbles. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
--Due to variances in size of the spaghetti squashes and the amount of strands you get from your squash, please feel free to adjust the measurement of the ingredients to your personal taste.
Prepare the grill and grill on each side for about 2 minutes or according to desired doneness. Do the same if cooking them in a skillet, frying over medium-high heat until done. Serve immediately drizzled with the rosemary balsamic glaze. Baked potatoes make a great accompaniment.
1. Place coconut butter, coconut oil and blackberries in a pot and heat over medium heat until well combined.
2. In a food processor or small blender, add berry mix and remaining ingredients. Process until smooth.
4. Refrigerate one hour or until mix has hardened.
5. Remove from container and cut into squares.
6. Store covered in the refrigerator.
1. Grease and line a 9" square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little bit hanging on either side for easy unmolding. Set aside.
2. Melt the cacao butter in a small saucepan set over low heat or in the microwave, stirring often regardless of which option you chose. Reserve.
3. Add all the ingredients, except for cacao butter and shelled pistachios, to a large mixing bowl. Mix with a hand mixer, starting on low speed and progressively moving to high until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture becomes light and airy.
4. Pour the melted cacao butter right into the almond mixture and resume mixing on low speed until it's well incorporated.
5. Transfer to prepared pan, spread as evenly as possible and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.
6. Refrigerate until completely set, at least 4 hours but preferably overnight.
7. Cut into 36 squares and splurge!
cheese on the baking sheet, spreading each heap out into a thinner circle. Sprinkle with garlic powder and basil.


text:
Press Briefing by Ari Fleischer
12:15 P.M. EST
MR. FLEISCHER: Good afternoon. Let me give you a report on the President day. The President began this morning with a phone call to British Prime Minister Blair. The President called to congratulate him on the victory the Prime Minister had in the vote in the Parliament. The two also discussed the situation in the Middle East, with the road map and their hope that confirmation would take place involving the new Palestinian Prime Minister.
The President then had his intelligence briefing, FBI briefing, and then convened a meeting of the National Security Council. He also met this morning with the Secretary of Defense. Then he met with the Mayor of New York City, Mayor Bloomberg, as well as Secretary of Homeland Security Ridge, to discuss homeland security issues and also to note how well New York City has worked to prepare itself for any eventualities and to congratulate the Mayor on New York's efforts.
That is on the President's schedule today. I have one other statement for you. President Bush will welcome President Paul Biya of Cameroon to the White House for a meeting and dinner tomorrow, March 20th, 2003. And with that, I'm happy to take your questions.
Q Has the President consulted with any former Presidents besides his father in terms of -- and does he have the endorsement for the war on Iraq?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, Helen, as I told you this morning, you need to address to former Presidents what they would say about whether or not they support the President's endeavors. In any case, any communication that the President, himself, has with former Presidents I leave as a private matter between Presidents.
Q Well, has he consulted with any outsiders at all, outside of the government?
MR. FLEISCHER: Again, anything involving the Presidents, I always leave, as is protocol, that as a matter of privacy among the various Presidents. And the President has relied extensively on the information that he has from his meetings with the security team, as well, of course, with foreign leaders whose counsel he seeks on a regular basis.
Q You mean Americans?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, foreign leaders whose counsel he seeks on a regular basis.
Q Ari, can you confirm that the administration has asked Iraqi opposition leaders here in this country to return to Northern Iraq and be in position?
MR. FLEISCHER: You know, I saw there was somebody on the Hill who suggested that yesterday, and I cannot confirm that. I've not been able to get that confirmed; I don't know.
Q Is the administration talking to these people? And would you like to have them in position, and how do you envision them --
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, of course, we talk to those people, yes. And as you know, there are programs underway, working with them, training them, in Hungary. And there was a meeting in Northern Iraq that a White House representative went to several weeks ago.
And the purpose of these contacts and the purpose of this dialogue and meetings is because the government of Iraq must be run by Iraqis in the future. And we have always said that this will be a government that comes from within inside Iraq, as well as Iraqis from outside the country. And so, of course, we have conversations with those people. This is all part of the planning for a post-Saddam Iraq.
Q How long do you expect that American forces would be in control of the country, before you were able to hand over --
MR. FLEISCHER: It's impossible to say. It will be as long as is necessary to do the job right, to provide the security atmosphere for Iraqis to govern their own country. It will be as long as is necessary, but not a day longer.
Q Can you confirm that the United States won't be asking Turkey for ground basing, only for over-flight rights?
MR. FLEISCHER: I don't discuss operational issues of that nature. Anything like that, you need to talk to the Pentagon about.
Q What about the administration's expressed expectation that the Turks, if they go into Northern Iraq, will be under the command of coalition forces? Have you gotten that confirmed?
MR. FLEISCHER: It's the same statement I made yesterday. We've made our point --
Q Have you heard anything back? Is it under discussion?
MR. FLEISCHER: We've made our point; we think our point is well understood.
Q Just to pick up on something you said in the phone call with Prime Minister Blair. They talked about the road map. The Palestinian Parliament has now established this position of prime minister and beat back efforts, apparently, by Yasser Arafat to strip it of meaningful power. Does this position now satisfy the President's request that there be a prime minister with real authority?
MR. FLEISCHER: That was an important development. And the President, having said on June 24th, that one of the most important steps necessary to create an environment for peace between the Israeli and the Palestinians would be internal reforms in the Palestinian Authority, welcomes the steps that have been taken in the Palestinian Authority. It's a sign of progress. What has yet to happen is the acceptance of the position by Abu Mazen, or the confirmation. That has not yet taken place.
Q That position, as it's now laid out officially by the Palestinians, is a position of real authority in the President's eyes?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'll leave it that the President is pleased with the internal progress that is being made, in terms of the Palestinians seeking internal reforms.
Q Okay. And then, one other thing -- Ambassador Negroponte, at the U.N. this morning, told the other members of the Security Council that he looks forward to working with them in the days and the weeks ahead on issues that the Security Council will be involved in. Can you outline with any specificity what the President thinks the role of the U.N. will be, going forward?
MR. FLEISCHER: Sure, and this was addressed in the meeting in the Azores and a communique that was issued following the meeting, that talked about the role of the United Nations. This was a joint statement by the four leaders. And in there, President Bush said, as well as the other leaders said, that it's important for the United Nations to have a role in the humanitarian aspects of rebuilding Iraq. And so that's -- you may want to just go back to the exact document to find the precise words. But, clearly, there is a role for the United Nations in the future of Iraq in terms of that humanitarian aspect.
Q Do you expect any political role? In some of these other situations, there have been U.N. officials who have assumed responsibility for civil administration, in Kosovo, East Timor, places like that.
MR. FLEISCHER: I'd refer you to the exact language in that document. I've not brought that document with me. But that is the document that sets forth the policy and says it in precise terms.
Q With eight hours to go to the deadline, have you gotten any indication from the Iraqi government that Saddam plans to step down?
MR. FLEISCHER: No. With just a short amount of time to go before the deadline, we have not received, unfortunately, any indication from Saddam Hussein that he intends to leave the country.
Q Ari, first of all, a logistical thing. You released this morning the letter that was sent up to the Hill. But we haven't yet received the back-up material.
MR. FLEISCHER: That was released about an hour ago.
Q Was it?
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes.
Q Okay.
MR. FLEISCHER: I saw it was e-mailed out, and so I presume everybody here has it.
Q Actually, I want to ask about the report.
Q The subsequent question I have for you is, the President in his speech two nights ago described the Iraqi threat as one that could be one to five years into the future to obtain either a nuclear weapon or something that could strike us, a non-imminent threat. In the President's mind, is he in this action, setting a precedent that the United States could now act, either preemptively or preventively, depending on how you define it, against a threat that is not an imminent one against the United States?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, here's how the President approaches this. He believes, number one, based on the reviews conducted by the attorneys, that there already exists a legal basis both in international law, as well as in domestic law, for the use of force to disarm Saddam Hussein. And that is also found in Security Council Resolution 678 and 687, as well as 1441. The President also believes that there is a gathering threat from Iraq, that with the failure by Saddam Hussein to disarm of his weapons of mass destruction presents a threat to the security of the United States. And therefore, he has come to the conclusion that after exhausting the diplomacy, that military force must be used if Saddam Hussein does not get out of the country.
That summarizes it for him. In terms of precedents, et cetera, David, I think some people have made the case -- and different people will have different historical views of these things -- but you can look at the Cuban missile crisis, of course, where there was a decision made without the United States being "attacked" to conduct a quarantine or an embargo, which, of course, international lawyers will tell you is an act of war.
And so I think you're going to find the historians, legal scholars will have differing conclusions about these matters. But the conclusion the President reaches is that Iraq's failure to disarm presents a threat to the people of the United States and, therefore, he is prepared to use force.
Q Even if you were absent the U.N. resolutions, if they didn't exist, he would still think he would have justification under the current circumstances?
MR. FLEISCHER: There's no question about that.
Q The report that came with -- the seven-page report, one of the points it makes in trying to make the case that moving against Saddam would help the war on terrorism is that detained Iraqis could help identify terrorists living in the United States. I'm assuming, first of all, by "detained," we're talking about folks who have been captured in the war. Is that correct? And, secondly, what evidence do we have, what reason do we have to believe that detained Iraqis would be able to point us to suspects living in this country?
MR. FLEISCHER: Ron, let me re-read the report to take a look at that provision, in particular. When I read it -- let me take a look at that, in that particular regard. The report focuses on -- as the congressional requirements dictate -- Congress, when it passed the resolution with huge bipartisan support last fall, laid out several reporting requirements imposed on the administration if a decision was made to use force. The report was required either immediately before or within 48 hours of the use of force. It said before, or 48 hours afterwards.
Q -- for this provision is, is making the argument, as required by the resolution, that a movement against Iraq would help on the war against terrorism. In that section the claim was made that it would help identify terrorists here. If you could provide some guidance as to how we can make that claim.
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes. What the report required on the question of terrorism, is that in connection -- this is reading from the law that triggers the formal requirement to put together the written report, which was sent last night -- and now I'm reading from the October 16, 2002 statute.
"In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in subsection to use force, the President shall, prior to the exercise of such force, but no later than 48 hours after, make available to the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tem of the Senate, a determination that" -- here's the piece on the terrorism section -- "acting pursuant to this joint resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11th." The report walks through that this is consistent with that.
Q Right. And I think you understand -- I'm not challenging that, I'm just asking about the one, what I think is a new rationale, a new explanation for why the United States thinks it would help --
MR. FLEISCHER: On your specific question, let me take it and post.
Q And I think you just answered, if I had listened to that more carefully -- I apologize -- does the fact that he released it today have anything to do with the timing of military action?
MR. FLEISCHER: No. What, again, the language is, is this has to be released prior to such exercise, or as soon thereafter as may be feasible, but no later than 48 hours after exercising such authority. That's the language of the law. The President, having given the speech to the nation the other night, thought this was the appropriate time to release it.
Q Can you get back to me on the other question?
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, sir.
Q Ari, do you expect victory in the upcoming House vote on the tax cut? And do you have any update on when you'll be releasing some sort of war cost estimates?
MR. FLEISCHER: On the action pending up on the Hill, the Congress is moving forward with passage of its budget resolutions, and the President is confident that at the end, what he requested will be agreed to, either in large part or entirety or in much part.
The President is heartened to see the process begin, and begin on time in both the House and the Senate. Of course, last year the Senate was not even able to pass a budget, and this year a different Senate is moving forward on passage of a budget.
Too soon to say what the ultimate outcome will be. It will be voted on in the House; they're planning to do it this week. It will be voted on in the Senate; they plan to do it this week. Then it will go to the conference committee, and then it must go back to the House and Senate for final passage. That's, of course, where the President's focus always is strongest on, the final passage. But he's very pleased to see them beginning the work on it this week in both the House and the Senate. And all indications from the House are very strong.
Q And the war cost?
MR. FLEISCHER: War cost -- in terms of the supplemental, the President has said that after hostilities begin, a supplemental will be sent to the Hill. That remains operative.
Q Ari, you mentioned this morning that there was evidence of some "unease" in senior Iraqi circles. Could you share with us any evidence to that effect? And also could you share with us some of the factors the President will consider, sort of the pros and cons, as he picks the time of his choosing?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think that you can see from ample public reporting, from the many communications that have been had with the Iraqi people through the form of leaflets and other things that are very publicly known, there is unease throughout Iraq.
Q Any evidence that senior officials in that government are trying to defect, have attempted to defect?
MR. FLEISCHER: Anything about any one individual or another is not something that I would be able to get into. If something like that were to happen, I would imagine it would be a matter of time before it is publicly known. But there's nothing I can get into on that.
Q And the various factors?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think it's safe to say that the President, having made the speech he made to the nation about the gathering threat and the decision that force will be necessary if Saddam Hussein does not leave, will work very closely with the will work very closely with the Department of Defense and with the military planners on what, indeed, makes it a moment of our choosing. The President will be guided by the best military advice available, and that will help shape his decision.
Q Ari, sort of repeating my question from this morning, and following on that one. Since the President has not expressly promised not to begin military operations before the ultimatum, the 48-hour ultimatum ends, therefore, we could expect military operations to begin at any point in time?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm just not going to get into any speculation about when military operations can begin for what I imagine you all know are the obvious reasons. Why would anybody want to give that away?
Q Right, but the White House does not believe it is constrained by the 48-hour ultimatum to stop Hussein not to begin any military operations before that time?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President's language spoke for itself about Saddam Hussein and 48 hours to avoid military conflict, and that the use of force can begin at a moment of our own choosing. I'm just not going to go beyond that.
Q You mentioned the language in the letter sent to the Hill that said, if a decision to take military action is made, then this notification would go to Congress. Should we interpret this as a sign that the President has, in fact, made the conceptual decision to use military force?
MR. FLEISCHER: There's no question about that. The President made that clear to the American people in his speech the other night.
Q So we have crossed that point. He just hasn't made the decision about exactly when forces would, in fact, move against Iraq?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President made very plain to the American people that as a result of Saddam Hussein's failure to disarm, and his possession of weapons of mass destruction, he has come to the determination that the only way to enforce the United Nations resolutions now is through the use of force. He gave Saddam Hussein 48 hours to leave Iraq in order to avoid military conflict.
Q You've got a problem on the homeland security front in the sense that some states are refusing to mobilize their National Guard for lack of funding. There is some talk of a supplemental for homeland security. Do you intend to do that? Would you do it separately from the money that you would be seeking for execution of the war?
MR. FLEISCHER: Number one, in the phone call that Secretary Ridge had with the governors the other night, he made it clear that the use of the Guard is a state option, as consistent with Code Orange. And that's something that's been well-established in all the protocols that guide what steps would be taken as the threat level goes up or comes down. And the governors have that prerogative, they have that option as they see fit under the way it's set up.
So I don't view that as a problem; I view that as the way the system is set up, to give governors flexibility in decision- making. There are some states where they may not think that they are terrorist targets and that they don't have to make such decisions to employ the Guard. Other states may see it differently. That's part of the flexibility, based on threat assessment, that is provided.
In terms of funding, we have never ruled out that there would be a homeland security component to a supplemental request. That is a possibility.
Q So you anticipate that it would be rolled into the supplemental that would involve the cost of the war and the initial --
MR. FLEISCHER: What I've said is we do not rule that out; that is a possibility.
Q Back on Turkey. In light of their decision to give the U.S. fly-over rights, does that change the status of the economic package that the U.S. was holding out for --
MR. FLEISCHER: Two points. One, the Turkish parliament has yet to speak on that matter. There are some important leading Turkish voices who have expressed their position that Turkey should grant fly-over rights. But as a legal matter, the Turkish parliament has not yet voted on that. And so it's premature to make any judgments about what actions Turkey will take. We will look forward to hearing the results of that vote.
In terms of the economic package, the previous package that was discussed with Turkey was contingent on their cooperation, their total cooperation in the military endeavor. That total cooperation has not developed and, therefore, the previous package is no longer the pending package.
Q But is the administration willing to consider some smaller version of it? Because another argument for the package, itself, was that Turkey, being so close to the action, was going to suffer real economic damage.
MR. FLEISCHER: Correct.
Q And so is the administration prepared, if Turkey cooperates at some level, to go back to the table and perhaps try to provide some kind of aid that's, perhaps, smaller?
MR. FLEISCHER: The White House has not ruled out assistance for Turkey in this matter. But I don't have anything to indicate beyond that.
Q First of all, to return to the supplemental. Secretary Ridge told us out on the driveway after the meeting that there would be, definitely be a homeland security component to the supplemental. Is he correct, or was he getting ahead of the President?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, he's correct.
Q So he will --
MR. FLEISCHER: I will advance it that far. Yes, he will. And that will be made clear in testimony later today up on Capitol Hill.
Q Regarding the meeting involving the Secretary and Mayor Bloomberg, can you give us a little more detail, readout of how that meeting went and what was said?
MR. FLEISCHER: Sure. Mayor Bloomberg briefed the President on Operation Atlas, which is New York City's plan to protect New Yorkers in the event of terrorist attacks. The President noted that New York City, of course, has a tremendously effective infrastructure designed to combat terrorism. It has been tremendously effective. New York has great resources and great abilities, and the President expressed his pride in that. And they did talk about the fact that there would be some level of homeland security money in the supplemental. And that was the nature of the conversation.
The President also recalled visiting New York in the aftermath of September 11th and just talked again about the great determination in the way the New Yorkers handled the terrorist attack.
Q Were specific funding levels discussed?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, no specific funds levels discussed.
Q The Mayor said that his main message on the funding question was that whatever homeland security component there is, the money should not be distributed according to the traditional formula of population because he said New York City would not do well by that, that there's a unique threat here and that that should be taken into account. What's the President's view of that?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, as you know, the President differed with the manner in which Congress put in place, the existing, just-passed-into-law money for states and localities, the manner in which Congress did it. Clearly, there's flexibility needed here to get the funds to the areas that need the funds the most, and not to distribute it on any other basis where there would be organizations that have less to worry about getting larger amounts of money.
So I think that the Mayor expressed himself on it. You've heard what he said. The President would very much like to see in the proposal that he has made to Congress this year for additional billions of dollars in homeland security money to have greater flexibility, fewer earmarks in the way that money can be spent.
Q As we're on the brink of war, is there any kind of message the White House wants to send to Iraqi forces? I mean, perhaps an appeal to surrender, or assurances they'd be protected if they gave up?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President's message to Iraqi forces is this is not your war. This is your regime; don't follow the orders of the regime. The Iraqi people are the innocents who are caught in between. And the President would very much like to see the Iraqi people save their lives, the Iraqi military save their lives, by laying down their arms and by not following their orders.
Q Ari, two things. At 8:00 p.m., what should the American public understand as it relates to potential war with Iraq?
MR. FLEISCHER: At 8:00 p.m. tonight, the American people will know Saddam Hussein has committed his final act of defiance. The President has urged Saddam Hussein to leave the country so that military conflict can be avoided. At 8:00 p.m., we will know whether Saddam Hussein has chosen to do that, or not. We have no indications that he has chosen to do that, unfortunately.
Q My second question, why is it that the State Department last week declined a proposal from former Congressman Walter Fauntroy, with a group of ecumenical ministers who went to Iraq and met with Tariq Aziz about total disarmament -- why did the State Department say, no, this is a no-deal issue?
MR. FLEISCHER: We have made it abundantly clear from the very beginning that this is not a negotiable matter with Iraq. Iraq must comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions and immediately, and fully, and unconditionally disarm. That's not a negotiable position.
Q And Ari, this was last week, and they said they would have total disarmament in exchange that you could buy their oil with U.S. dollars --
MR. FLEISCHER: If that was the case, you'd have thought Iraq would have done it. It's not a quid pro quo. Iraq needed to have followed the binding resolutions of the United Nations.
Q Ari, for awhile now we've been asking when the President is going to have an open discussion with the American people about the benefits and the costs of any war. Yet in his speech last night -- or Monday night, we didn't hear anything from the President about the potential risks of this war. Why hasn't he --
MR. FLEISCHER: The President warned the American people there will be sacrifice in this road ahead. The President made that plain. And if you're asking the question of costs, in terms of dollars, not human lives --
Q I'm asking about human lives.
MR. FLEISCHER: The President said that. The President said that in his speech the other night that there would be sacrifice. And I think the American people understand that. The American people clearly have seen what has been developing for months and months and months, as a result of the diplomatic endeavors that the President tried, while making plain and certain to the American people and to Iraq that if Iraq did not disarm, force would be used. And the American people understand that if force is used, lives may be lost, indeed. I think there's no question the country understands that.
Q But do you think that they really understand the potential for the loss of human life here if they're using recent wars, like Afghanistan or the first Persian Gulf War, which were very different from this?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think there's no question the American people understand that. I think if you just talk to people in the street, they'll tell you they understand that there are risks to life, and the President has made that clear.
Q Ari, I realize it's limited to how much you can say, but when are the American people next going to hear from the President, under what circumstances, any idea what kind of timing?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not going to today, at this moment be able to indicate to you this far in advance whatever the next communication will be -- whether it is -- whatever time it may be. We will, at this point, keep you informed, as up-to-date as possible, but I'm not going to be in a position to give you early information.
Q So Americans should not, like, tune into their TV sets tonight at 8:00 p.m. in the expectation to hear the President?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm just not going to speculate about what will or will not happen at 8:00 p.m. tonight.
Q Saddam Hussein is holding tight just like Hitler in 1945, as far as at this hour, a little over seven hours to go for the deadline. And how is the President holding up in the most difficult decision of his life as a President, as a citizen, as a commander-in-chief -- so are we looking also at the same time, when we go and attack -- the U.S. forces go to attack Iraq, they are looking Saddam Hussein dead or alive?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think it's fair to say that the President has thought about this for a considerably long period of time, and has thought about this carefully. And if force is used, the President will authorize force, knowing that it was in the cause of peace to disarm Saddam Hussein from using his weapons of mass destruction, so that Saddam Hussein cannot use weapons of mass destruction later at a time and place of Saddam's choosing, which would leave us at the most vulnerable.
You know, one of the things that's interesting here is we seem to have gone from a debate at the United Nations process where people said, you haven't proved he has weapons of mass destruction, the inspectors haven't been able to find where Saddam is hiding them, to now rampant speculation that Saddam Hussein has chemical, biological weapons that he is getting ready to unleash on American forces. And I think we've seen that in all the coverage from this. That's the very point. If people now accept the premise that he does have weapons of mass destruction, the world could not afford, in the President's judgment, to allow Saddam to make the timing clear from his point of view about when he would use them. If he has them, that's the risk, that's the problem. If he has them, the world cannot afford to let Saddam pick who he would use them on and when he would use them, especially if the world was not prepared to take counter-measures.
Q Let me just follow one more -- after this war starts, tonight, any time when the deadline ends, what is the message from the President for the airlines? Because they are going out of business -- and the travelers and airlines, what is the message? And also as far as the economy is concerned, about oil?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President's focus is on the entire economy. And that, of course, includes the airlines and other industries that would be affected. Of course, there are economic conditions that predate any possibility of the use of military force that also have to be taken into account. The President does have concerns about these matters, including the airlines. And this is why the President more broadly has been working with Congress on economic growth, which benefits all.
Q Do you have any information on the whereabouts of Tariq Aziz and whether he's been shot or defected?
MR. FLEISCHER: I've seen the reports on the wire; I have no confirmation.
Q Secretary Powell said that there's 30 countries, I believe, that expressed support for the United States position, and 15 others that have secretly said -- indicated something. Can you give us any idea how many of these countries are willing to send military personnel to take part in this campaign?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think, as always, unless those nations explicitly authorize us to speak about who was using -- sending combat or forces in there, it's not my place to name them. It's their place to name them for themselves.
There may be a moment where, after sufficient authorization is given from foreign governments, more can be said or will be said. But I think it's fair to say, when you take a look at the entire coalition of the willing, what you see are a sizeable number of nations that share the United States people's commitment to disarming Saddam Hussein, and also to the reconstruction of Iraq. And this coalition will speak in numerous ways as different nations contribute differently to it.
There will be a number that are involved in various ways and forms, in combat, or in providing chem or biological teams in the event that Saddam Hussein uses weapons of mass destruction. There will be larger numbers that help in the supply, the over-flight. And other countries, of course, too, that contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq.
Q A follow-up on his question. One is that, have the airlines made any specific requests or concern either about money or safety from the White House? And, secondly, once hostilities commence, what is the White House going to do, or how are you going to communicate with the leaders of Congress?
MR. FLEISCHER: On your second question, that will be handled in any number of ways. There are legal mechanisms. There are also, of course, as you saw bring the members of Congress down here this week for consultations, continued face-to-face meetings in consultations.
On the airlines, we have been talking with the airlines. We'll continue to consult with the airlines and there's nothing I can report beyond that.
Q Ari, two questions. The meeting at the United Nations this morning, certain foreign ministers went -- Colin Powell didn't go, nor the British Foreign Minister, nor the Spanish Foreign Minister. Hans Blix has presented, or is presenting a report on disarmament. What does the White House think of that meeting going on today?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, it's the prerogative of the United Nations to continue to receive reports that, interestingly, the report continues to show that there are serious questions about Saddam Hussein's disarmament. And so the report is part of a series of items that raise questions that get to the core of the issue. Saddam Hussein has not given the world confidence that he has disarmed. That's what has brought the world to the verge of going to war against Saddam Hussein, so he does disarm.
Q Second question. I think the White House has stated its position that it would like the United Nations to help in the reconstruction of Iraq. And I've heard some reports that maybe the oil money from Iraq's sale of oil could be used for reconstruction. Is that something the White House would like to see?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think there's no question that the Iraqi nation possesses a number of resources. They are a wealthy nation and they have the ability to do what wealthy nations should do -- and that is to turn their wealth to peaceful purposes, rather than military purposes.
The oil-for-food program is a humanitarian program implemented through the United Nations to provide food to the people of Iraq in the face of a dictatorship that takes all its resources away from the people, doesn't feed the people and, instead, builds palaces and builds bombs. And there's no question that the President believes, and much of the world community, including the United Nations, believes, that Iraqi wealth should be better used to serve the causes of -- the humanitarian causes of the Iraqi people, including providing for their food, their medicine, et cetera.
Q Ari, going back to this idea of this being the first preemptive or preventive war. What are other countries to make of this? What about other countries who might seize on this and take their own preemptive action?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, again, I harken back to what I said about the Cuban missile crisis. And you will have different historians come to different conclusions about different events, but, certainly, in the Cuban missile crisis the United States was not attacked; the United States imposed a quarantine or an embargo, which, as I indicated earlier, people can call an act of war. That has been one of the ways people have looked at it.
I think there's no question there is going to be historian dispute about different circumstances. But I'm not sure your premise is accurate on it. But in any case, the President still views this as an unique issue involving Iraq. The President has said this on numerous occasions. He views it as unique because of the history of the United Nations Security Council passing the resolutions that they passed, calling for Iraq to disarm. The President also views this as unique because, in the case of Iraq, diplomacy was tried, it did not work; sanctions were tried, they did not work; smart sanctions were tried, they did not work; pinpoint military strikes were tried, they did not work; repeated days of Cruise missile attacks were tried, they did not work. Given the history of Saddam Hussein and his use of force and his development of weapons of mass destruction, the President views this as a unique threat.
Q So another country -- say, Russia, which has threatened to go into Georgia -- Chechen rebels; or, say, an Arab country might want to take preemptive measures against Israel; or Israel a preemptive measure against someone -- you're saying that the President would say to the, what we're doing here is unique, don't think about it?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President does view this as a unique threat; that's correct.
Q Are the old ideas of containment and the other policies that we've seen since the Cold War, are they disregarded by this administration?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, indeed, they're not. But what you do have is -- containment was a very sound policy when you had a bipolar world involving the Soviet Union and the United States. And containment, indeed, did work in that world. What you have now in the post-communist era is a world of different types of threats to the United States, some of which can, indeed, be dealt with through containment. Others -- and Secretary Rumsfeld has referred this as asymmetrical threats -- do not apply.
Containment works when you're dealing with more of a rational nation-state, as opposed to terrorist organizations -- terrorist organizations that cannot be contained. Their use of weapons such as we saw on September 11th, flying airplanes into buildings -- you cannot contain al Qaeda. That's one of the reasons the President has engaged in this war on terrorism around the world and has conducted it the way he has. I don't think anybody would suggest al Qaeda could have been, or will be, or should have been contained.
So it's an asymmetrical world. You have different situations, different threats from different portions of the world. And what's so important -- and this is one of the things that I think people are going to look at in the debate at the United Nations -- is for the world to move beyond the defenses of the 20th century and think differently in the 21st century about what is the most effective way to maintaining the peace. And that is going to require different solutions in different regions of the world.
It requires the flexibility of approach that President Bush has shown. He wished that other leaders would show that same flexibility of approach to dealing with the new threats of the 21st century, and not be locked into making mistakes that could be made based on a 20th century philosophy.
Q Ari, you talked a minute ago about Americans already understanding there will be sacrifice and risk. Does that mean that the President doesn't feel a need to address these in a more detailed fashion sometime as the war is starting or before the war starts?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not predicting every sentence that the President will make in any future addresses. But I think if you ask the American people, they understand already what sacrifice means. And the President has talked about sacrifice.
Q But the White House had said that the President would address these issues as the time of war came. But I'm not sure -- when you say that he has addressed them, I'm not sure where that was and what he said.
MR. FLEISCHER: I don't know if there's a specific sentence, Bob, that you are looking for. But when the President talks about sacrifice, I think the American people clearly understand what the President is talking about.
Q Just following on Peter's question, the President sees this as a unique threat, but he's not at all concerned that others will see this as a template for them to take their own preemptive strikes elsewhere?
MR. FLEISCHER: Again, the President believes this is a matter that was pursued diligently through the United Nations, is based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 678, 687, and 1441; and that, given the actions of Saddam Hussein, the threat that he presents, the fact that he himself has authorized military attacks on his neighbors before, that he possesses weapons of mass destruction, that this is a circumstance unlike any other found on the Earth.
Q Ari, anti-war groups have said that they intend to stage protests and some engage in civil disobedience as soon as the President gives the order to attack Iraq. How does the President feel about going into war with opposition that's larger and more passionate than during the Afghani campaign? And second, how should authorities respond to civil disobedience that may occur in the coming days?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President views it just the way he's viewed the many protests that have taken place already. It is the right of the America people to speak out. The President, and I think it's been widely recognized that there is an overwhelming strong majority of the American people who see it differently from the protesters. And that's their right to see it that way.
Q -- while war is going on, which they intend to do?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President understands it's the right of people to speak in America.
Q What about civil disobedience?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think you have to address that, given whatever the circumstances are, to the local law enforcement officials who would be involved, depending on the circumstances and what is done. That's not a White House matter.
Q Ari, you said a minute ago that preemption is necessary when you're dealing with an asymmetrical threat, but containment works when you're dealing with a rational threat. How does North Korea fit into that? Is North Korea a rational threat?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the policies that the President has announced in North Korea, of course, focus on working in a multilateral fashion with the other nations involved to make certain that North Korea understands the importance of dismantling its nuclear weapons program. We hope North Korea will respond to that multilateral message of diplomacy. The President has said all options are on the table. That's the approach the President is taking.
Q Let me ask you also about if you could give us an update on the mood here at the White House, the President's mood. Is he doing anything differently today than he does on other days?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, the President has spent today much like yesterday. It's a day of working with the military planners, taking last-minute looks at the various plans of the military planners, and allowing the time that he is given to pass.
Q Ari, opponents of the war in Iraq contend that it will increase terrorism, while the majority of our country seems to believe that decisively removing Saddam will demoralize the terrorist network worldwide. And my question, how does the President assess the psychological effect of this massive military action on the minds of terrorists?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think on two levels. One, you can already see that the effort to fight terrorism worldwide, even with the buildup of force in dealing with Iraq, has been very, very successful. Al Qaeda has been severely disrupted. While threats do, indeed, remain, and concerns are present, al Qaeda has been severely disrupted. They have lost their ability to train in Afghanistan, they're on the run, they're scattered throughout the world, it's not safe for them anywhere. They know that at any given moment, any of them can be, like their brethren before them, picked up and brought to justice. And that has a powerful deterrent effect. And the President also believes that the use of force against Iraq will similarly send a powerful deterrent message to terrorists around the world that the United States will do what it takes to prevent terrorist attacks against our country.
Q Page one of today's New York Times quotes Saddam Hussein predicting, "a holy war that would wipe out the ranks of invading American troops." Yesterday, you told us that Baghdad imams called for holy war violence, the drowning of Bush and Blair was opposed by one unidentified imam in Kuwait. And my question is, have there been any other imams or mosques who have publicly disagreed with these calls for holy war and drowning of Bush and Blair? And if any, approximately how many and where? How many, Ari?
MR. FLEISCHER: Lester, I hate to say this to you, but you're going to have to do your own research. It's not my place to speak for imams throughout the world.
Q No, no, no, I want to know what the White House -- does the White House think anybody else --
MR. FLEISCHER: I think you can rest assured, Lester, that the message that you expressed from Baghdad is not a message shared by Muslim leaders around the world.
Q And which didn't share, Ari? That's a non-answer.
MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you, Lester.
Q Ari, when the President makes a decision for the troops, will he talk on the phone with Tommy Franks, or will that decision be sent through other channels?
MR. FLEISCHER: We'll keep you filled in.
Q You said a couple of times over the last few weeks that the cost issue is going to wait until a supplemental can be sent up to the Hill.
Q I'm troubled because the budget process is going forward, we're close to a potential war, close to war right now. Why not share that information? Why not share the calculus this President did to determine that it was worth it to go to war? Why not share those dollar figures with the American public, with Capitol Hill?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, of course those figures will be shared --
Q Why not now?
MR. FLEISCHER: Because there are still open questions about the precision of the estimates that the administration is working off of. Much of that depends on events on the ground.
Q If I could follow up isn't -- hasn't the President used some sort of calculation, some figures to decide, yes, this is worth our while, it's worth it to take a hit on the economy, or whatever effect it's going to have on the economy, to this extent, and these are the dollars we figured were worth it --
MR. FLEISCHER: The President views this as a matter of -- a moral matter and a matter of keeping the peace first. And that is going to be what guides the decision he makes, not what the cost of this may or may not be. But the President also views it as important to be as precise as possible in providing cost figures to the Congress, so Congress can work off of the most accurate numbers possible. And the time to assess those numbers has not yet arrived.
Q Ari, to return to the question of preemption and uniqueness of the Iraqi threat. Isn't the problem here that uniqueness, like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder, and that another country might just as sincerely conclude that they face a threat from an enemy that is unique to them and can only be dealt with by preemptive military force?
MR. FLEISCHER: Ken, you have asked me what the President thinks, and I've told you what the President thinks. I think if you have other thoughts about it, you would need to talk to other countries to see what they would say about this. But I can share with you what the President's approach is.
Q He doesn't see that possibility, that some other country might come to that same conclusion just as sincerely, and use this --
MR. FLEISCHER: It's exactly as I said, the President views this as a unique matter in the world.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you.
END 12:59 P.M. EST


We predicted that Justice Ginsburg would be retiring by the end of January. It may be necessary to reimagine what the word retirement means. She has not officially declared herself no longer a working justice. But she has not appeared for work. And the media are ignoring that almost entirely. We could call these things clues.
There are some "theories" that I will share but cannot advocate because the only evidence we have to support them is the absence of evidence to the contrary.
I'll synopsize it here. Wade through it on your own if it suits you.
This is the biggest one making the rounds.
Justice Ginsburg is very ill and in a medically induced coma. She is not coming back. But the forces at work can't allow that to move events forward. The ideal circumstance for them is to glorify her memory without discussing her current state. Hope that people do not ask too many questions.
Can We Find Proof to the Contrary?
If you google her you get news about her biopic. How she became a Justice. The story only her family knows. You get news of her surgery in December and that she was released from the hospital. That she missed arguments on Jan 7th. And don't forget her incredible ability to bounce back.
You get four or five pages into the search results and still nothing about pneumonia.
There are some hits at the top of page one about the "conspiracy theory that appear eager to debunk it. They pretend to but they don't. At no point does the Daily Beast reach out to find the truth. All the evidence they provide on both sides is here-say. Justice Ginsburg herself (said to be writing opinions and in good spirits) has not made an effort to clear up the mystery nor has anyone else.
Reports in mid-January said she'd be back on the bench by the 14th. THat did not happen.
It's Feb 1st and she has not shown up for work. If she had I think we can trust that the media would let us know that.
She has canceled a recent public appearance. Or someone canceled it for her. The media spent little if any time on this. Call it conspicuously under-reported.
Question: what process is served by not demonstrating her improving health and ongoing work? I don't see one. But we might feel relief in knowing she is well. Maybe we don't deserve that?
The next question is, will she appear on Feb. 5th for her annual State of the Union nap? Her absence will only elevate the theory that she is incapacitated. Who does that serve?
I still can't think of a good answer.
Given the technology of the day and the connectedness of the culture, her conspicuous absence and silence only feed the conspiracy theory. Who benefits from that?
The matter of wild ideas not so wild.
Some of this seems ridiculous but then not so much.
The Left has relied so heavily on judicial activism to get their priorities advanced or validated. If the highest court is no longer capable of ignoring the Constitution (or reimagining it), nothing the Democrats do will survive scrutiny any longer than it takes to get the case to the Supreme Court.
And at the Rate Trump is going, any Circuit Court.
That's pretty sad, in and of itself. But for a party whose base runs entirely on emotion that loss at the top is more than most of them can handle. If Trump gets another nominee, they will be appointed. Picture the Kavanaugh circus on steroids with fire and weapons.
Beating Donald Trump in two years is their only hope.
If Justice Ginsburg is that ill or incapacitated (but they can sell her ongoing recovery and hope for her return), there is a reason to believe that someone on the left would want to hide any other "truth" as long as possible. I can't picture how they do that for 18 months. And to be honest, it makes no sense.
Short one Ginsburg the Left loses most, if not every case before the court. Is it worth that price in exchange for the improbable? Democrats avoid a new confirmation. Democrats win the White House in 2020. Democrats find a younger Ginsburg 2.0.
I hope Justice Ginsburg is well. I pray that she is. But until we see and hear from her, the media silence tells me she is not well. Nor are the Democrat Parties hopes for her successor.


A New Year is upon us, 2014! I'm guessing that some of us will strive to set goals for ourselves. Like "I'm gonna loss the 20lbs this time," "I'm gonna take the long overdue vacation this year," "I'm gonna commit to a work-out regimen. It's only 25 minutes!" "I'm gonna finish or start the home improvement or whatever improvement, for sure!" However, how many times have we started only to fall flat time and time again? Many, right? I've found setting such lofty goals can put too much pressure on us and usually leaves us disappointed. So to avert this, I've made it a practice to treat every day as though it is the 1st of the New Year. And why not? Isn't each and every day as precious as the next? Isn't each and every day the beginning of something new? And isn't seeing things this way much more empowering over the alternative?
Now, I understand that many people unwittingly wait till the 1st of the New Year because there is a feeling of renewed hope. We may even believe such hope is not available in a so-called ordinary day, because ordinary days are therefor the mundane day-to-day stuff like work, so we can pay our bills. But, this is not true. As a matter of fact, the opposite is true. Each and every day delivers equal new possibilities. We simply have to change our mindset about it. I've found the one secret that allows me to continuously move in this general direction. Are you ready for it? Are you really ready? In one word it is GRATITUDE.
You may be thinking. I already knew that. That's nothing new. Yes, that may all be true. Gratitude is not a new concept, but let me ask you one question. How often does it live through you and not you for it? By this I mean, think of all the tasks that became second nature when initially focus was required. For example, think of when you first learned to drive a car, and months, or even weeks later, it became easy. It became second nature because you no longer had to think about it, in order to actually do it. This is letting it live you. So how too(for those who do drive) can you make gratitude your second nature? How can gratitude live you and the world would know it, by the way it radiates out of you.
Find obscure ways to be thankful and couple this concerted effort with repetition. For example, instead of giving thanks for the beautiful red dress you found on sale, maybe say "I am so thankful for the colors that add beauty and draw forth distinct examples like this red dress." Or instead of saying I appreciate having a job, say, perhaps, "I am so thankful for whatever force allows my body to function without me having to think about it and has taken me through another day at my job." How awesome! Additionally, a person suddenly without health would most likely appreciate good health more than when it was available, correct? Yes. Don't take anything for granted. Be thankful now. We all don't know what life has in store for us but practicing gratitude will always give us more to be thankful for. Moreover, you don't need to say any of this out loud if you don't wish to. Simply embracing the thanksgiving is enough.
This helps because it forces our minds to be more present, creative, and experience appreciation more deeply. It is easy to state the obvious thoughts, but only by expressions of gratitude can we develop and embrace this process naturally. Conjuring unique and new ways will assist us in mastery.
So let me kick off your year with this reminder. There is a saying that I am sure many of us are familiar with: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Let's take the literal example of running a marathon, a very demanding and practice driven endeavor. What do you think most, if not all participants would tell themselves as they are running along? They would tell themselves, "If I can just take one more step, and another, and another, then eventually I will arrive at the finish line." And what do you think is the most obvious thing that happens as each step is being taken? Yes, you guessed it. There is a sentiment of gratitude. In all endeavors and with no exceptions, this holds true. So awaken and find even the smallest of blessings in each and every single day as it begins…it is never too late or too early to start. Happy New Year today and every day!!!


Barbara! Keep an eye out for more Quick Draw giveaways coming soon! And don't forget – each day I'll post a new number randomly on one of the product pages of the gift guide. Keep track of the numbers so you have the password to enter for the $50 cash giveaway!


Review: The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear – Escape Reality, Read Fiction!
I'm always a couple of books behind in this series, but maybe that's a good thing since I always have something to look forward to.
I know what you mean! I have a few in the middle to pick up when I need a reading pick-me-up!


text:
Top New York Based Fashion Brand Selects Aravo
Friday, July 31st, 2015
Aravo to Power Global Third Party Risk and Compliance Program
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 31, 2015 – Aravo Solutions, Inc., the leading provider of cloud-based Third Party Risk and Compliance solutions, announced today the signing of a multi-year agreement with a $3.3 billion New York based fashion brand to power their global third party risk and compliance program. The program is a critical component of the organization's broader procurement automation initiative.
Aravo will be utilized to mitigate third party risk by collecting, validating and assessing third party information. The solution will fully automate the company's current inefficient, manual processes. Third parties that represent elevated risk will undergo extensive assessment and validation to ensure they meet the company's established guidelines and standards. Once approved, Aravo will pass third parties to a recently selected procure-to-pay solution for onboarding.
Aravo's newest customer is globally recognized and a respected fashion brand known for innovative design, premium clothing, hand bags and accessories. The firm has rapidly grown to more than 200 retail locations in North America and over 100 internationally. The company sought a user-friendly solution that could be rapidly configured and deployed, from a technology provider with a proven track record of customer success. The customer also sought to leverage Aravo's library of pre-built content and process templates, allowing them to deploy and go live far more rapidly than competing solutions.
"Aravo is delighted to add another globally recognized brand to our client roster" said Aravo CEO Michael Saracini. "The substantial investments we have made to support the rapid deployment of our Third Party Risk and Compliance solution are now paying dividends for our customers. We look forward to another successful implementation and happy client."
About Aravo
Aravo provides the market's leading third party risk management and regulatory compliance solution. Aravo launched its cloud-based platform in 2004 and continues to serve as the industry's leading innovator today. Our market-leading third party risk and compliance solutions include Registration and Qualification, Anti-Bribery / Anti-Corruption, Responsible Sourcing, and Data Privacy / Data Security. The world's best-run businesses utilize Aravo's platform, including companies like General Electric, Accenture, Salesforce.com, Cisco Systems, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever. Aravo currently supports a user base of over 50,000 buyers managing 2.7 million third parties in 38 languages and 112 countries. Aravo is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Dallas, Portland, Monterrey, Mexico and Ahmedabad, India.
For more information regarding Aravo's award-winning third party risk and compliance solutions please visit our website https://www.aravo.com.


text:
Panopto's Video Platform Honored with Multiple Industry Awards
Video CMS provider recognized as a readers' choice, a market leader, and an innovator in video delivery
SEATTLE, Wash., November 1, 2017 — Panopto, the leading video platform provider for academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies, announced that it has received multiple industry awards in the last month, as selected by leaders and professionals in higher education, enterprise learning and development, and streaming media.
The latest recognition includes:
Campus Technology's 2017 Readers' Choice Awards — "Platinum" winner among Lecture Capture solutions
Panopto has been recognized in every edition of Campus Technology's Readers' Choice Awards, with 2017 marking the company's third consecutive win. In 2017, Panopto has been given the awards' top honor, the overall "Platinum" winner for lecture capture solutions.
Streaming Media's 2017 Readers' Choice Awards — "Finalist" among Enterprise Video Platforms
From a field of nearly 290 nominees, Panopto was named one of the three top Reader's Choice "Finalists" among enterprise video platforms. A destination for AV professionals seeking video news and information, this year's Streaming Media Readers' Choice Awards were determined by an unprecedented 37,000 reader votes.
Streaming Media's 100 Companies That Matter Most in Online Video
For the fourth consecutive year, Panopto has also been named to Streaming Media's annual ranking of the most innovative and influential companies in online video. Compiled by a panel of the publication's editors and publishers, the list features companies that enable the creation and delivery of today's video revolution.
Chief Learning Officer's 2017 Learning in Practice Awards — Division Two Silver Innovation Award
Panopto customer Synaptics was recognized for the work that Minette Chan, Director of Learning Solutions, and her team did to create "SynaVision." This searchable corporate YouTube was rolled out company-wide, saving time and money by centralizing its knowledge and sharing it across departments. Panopto is the video platform that made these outcomes possible.
"These awards underscore our commitment to our customers' success and satisfaction," said Eric Burns, co-founder and CEO of Panopto. "Their feedback and support have shaped our video platform and made Panopto the company that it is today. I look forward to continuing this successful feedback loop in the years ahead, and to helping even more students and employees around the world improve themselves and their organizations through video-based learning."
These awards are the latest in a string of industry recognitions for Panopto. In the last twelve months, Panopto has been named a video platform Leader by Gartner Research, one of the World's 10 Most Innovative Education Companies by Fast Company, one of the nation's Top 10 Small Workplaces by Fortune Magazine and Great Place to Work, one of Seattle's Best Places to Work by Seattle Business Magazine, and one of Pittsburgh's Best Places to Work by the Pittsburgh Business Times.
About Panopto
Panopto helps businesses and universities create searchable video libraries of their institutional knowledge. Since 2007, the company has been a pioneer in video capture software, video content management systems, and inside-video search technology. Today, Panopto's video platform is the largest repository of expert learning videos in the world. Headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Pittsburgh, London, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Sydney, Panopto has received industry recognition for its innovation, rapid growth, and company culture. For more information, visit www.panopto.com.


text:
František Švestka (1811 Trpoměchy – 19. září 1869 Praha) byl český advokát a politik, během revolučních let 1848–1849 poslanec Říšského sněmu, v 60. letech 19. století poslanec Českého zemského sněmu a Říšské rady.

Biografie
Narodil se roku 1811 v Trpoměchách v rodině bohatého sedláka. Vystudoval gymnázium ve Slaném a právnickou fakultu pražské univerzity. Roku 1839 získal titul doktora práv.

Profesí byl právníkem, advokátem. Během revolučního roku 1848 se stal místopředsedou spolku Slovanská lípa. V doplňovacích volbách počátkem roku 1849 byl místo dosavadního poslance Josefa Quitenského (Květenského) zvolen na rakouský ústavodárný Říšský sněm, který zasedal tehdy již v Kroměříži. Zastupoval volební obvod Litomyšl v Čechách. Uvádí se jako advokátní koncipient. V lednu 1849 ještě mezi poslanci nefiguruje a litomyšlský obvod je uváděn coby uprázdněný. Do sněmu byl uveden až na jeho 88. schůzi 13. března 1849. Krátce poté ale byl sněm rozpuštěn a Švestka se tak do jeho činnosti aktivně nezapojil.

Později zastával funkci děkana Právnické fakulty Univerzity Karlo-Ferdinandovy v Praze. Byl aktivní v českém spolkovém životě. Vlasteneckým organizacím odkázal značné jmění.

V 60. letech 19. století se zapojil do zemské a celostátní politiky. Někdy před rokem 1863 byl zvolen dodatečně na Český zemský sněm za městskou kurii, obvod Karlín. V řádných zemských volbách v Čechách v lednu 1867 byl zvolen na Český zemský sněm v městské kurii (obvod Slaný – Louny – Rakovník). Mandát obhájil v tomto obvodu i v krátce poté konaných zemských volbách v březnu 1867. V srpnu 1868 patřil mezi 81 signatářů státoprávní deklarace českých poslanců, v níž česká politická reprezentace odmítla centralistické směřování státu a hájila české státní právo. Čeští poslanci tehdy na protest praktikovali politiku pasivní rezistence, kdy bojkotovali práci zemského sněmu, byli za neomluvenou absenci zbavováni mandátů a pak opětovně manifestačně voleni. Švestka byl takto zbaven mandátu pro absenci v září 1868. V doplňovacích volbách už nestihl být zvolen, protože na jaře 1869 umírá.

Někdy před rokem 1863 nastoupil i do Říšské rady (celostátní zákonodárný sbor, tehdy ještě nevolen přímo, ale tvořen delegáty jednotlivých zemských sněmů). Zde reprezentoval kurii městskou, obvod Karlín. Zánik jeho mandátu pro absenci byl oznámen na schůzi 14. července 1863. Opětovně ho zemský sněm do vídeňského parlamentu delegoval roku 1867, ale vzhledem k pokračující politice pasivní rezistence mandát fakticky nepřevzal. Zánik jeho mandátu zemského a tudíž i říšského poslance byl ohlášen 26. září 1868.

Zemřel 19. září 1869 po krátké nemoci, na zápal plic. Je pohřben na Olšanských hřbitovech v Praze.

Odkazy

Reference

Absolventi Univerzity Karlovy
Poslanci Říšského sněmu (Rakouské císařství)
Poslanci českého zemského sněmu
Poslanci rakouské Říšské rady
Politici Rakouského císařství české národnosti
Rakousko-uherští politici české národnosti
Čeští advokáti
Rakouští právníci
Děkani Právnické fakulty Univerzity Karlovy
Staročeši
Pohřbení na Olšanech
Zemřelí na zápal plic
Narození v roce 1811
Úmrtí v Praze
Úmrtí v roce 1869
Úmrtí 19. září
Muži

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


To stay competitive, companies need an educated workforce. Development of a strong and sophisticated workforce begins before a child enters kindergarten. Employers want to hire critical thinkers, problem-solvers, life-long learners, socially competent and emotionally healthy individuals, team players, and those that can balance work/life issues. These characteristics are brought about by skills acquired in the early years!
to find while hiring are skills that develop in the first 5 years of life.
Download the report on Oklahoma's Workforce Employer Survey here.
Download the following to learn more about the connection of our future workforce with early childhood.


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Some of the vitamins found in Apples, dehydrated (low moisture), sulfured, stewed are: Vitamin A (19 IU), Vitamin C (0.6 mg) and Vitamin B-3 (0.14 mg).
Vitamin A has multiple functions: it is important for growth and development, for the maintenance of the immune system and good vision. 100 grams of Apples, dehydrated (low moisture), sulfured, stewed contains 19 IU of Vitamin A, that's the 1% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
Vitamin B-6 (also knows and pyridoxine) deficiency can lead to nerve damage in the hands and feet. Vitamin B6 acts as a coenzyme in the breakdown and utilization of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. 100	grams of Apples, dehydrated (low moisture), sulfured, stewed contains 0.1 milligrams of Vitamin B-6, that's the 3% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is abundant in vegetables and fruits. A water-soluble vitamin powerful antioxidant, it helps the body form and maintain connective tissue, including bones, blood vessels and skin. 100 grams of Apples, dehydrated (low moisture), sulfured, stewed contains 0.6 milligrams of Vitamin C, that's the 1% of the daily recommended value for an adult.
More commonly known as thiamin, the Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin and part of the B vitamin family. B vitamins help support adrenal function, help calm and maintain a healthy nervous system. In 100 grams of Apples, dehydrated (low moisture), sulfured, stewed, you can find 0.008 milligrams of Vitamin B-1. It provides the 1% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) is involved in vital metabolic processes in the body, and is necessary for energy production and normal cell function and growth. 0.02 milligrams of Vitamin B2 can be found on every 100 grams of Apples, dehydrated (low moisture), sulfured, stewed, the 1% of the total daily recommended Vitamin B2 intake.
Also known as niacin, the Vitamin B3 is a water-soluble nutrient. Niacin is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. 0.14 milligrams of Vitamin B3 can be found on every 100 grams of Apples, dehydrated (low moisture), sulfured, stewed, the 1% of the total daily recommended Vitamin B3 intake.
The pantothenic acid (or Vitamin B5) is a water-soluble nutrient that help support adrenal function and a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B5 can be found in nearly every food. In 100 grams of Apples, dehydrated (low moisture), sulfured, stewed, you can find 0.08 milligrams of Vitamin B5. It provides the 1% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.


-cool style with perfect design which looks so fantastic and amazing. Juicy Couture Outlet is the wonderful accessory in you life. All wallets discount now.
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Pledge reminder data not lining up and or cut off on forms when using 3 or 5 column reminder types in Reminders.
To print the reminders, export the reminders to a Rich Text Format. Open the document in Word to print, and the reminders print in the correct format.


The Inquisition: are Ancestors living through us?
Perhaps the Inquisiton was a cleansing made by the church. However, think of the implications. (I will try to explain my theorey: that a dead ancestor CAN live through a modern relative.) These affect Time and our present day much more than most would think.
Think of the ancestors of the witches or so called witches. There lives are affected by the Inquisition before they are even born.
Even if most of their eldest ancestors were destroyed by the Holy War, think of the surviving ones. They would have moved, hidden.
having certain traditions. in this way, a single individual could be livivng the life of their ancestor. In this way, i think that it is very possible that more than one of us is living this way.
what about the Holocaust? it may be to early to tell the full implications of this, but in future generations, will Jewish familes stray from Germany and Austria?
Will Jewish seniors consider and exciting new study in Germany, instead of maybe france if the holocaust hadn't happened? these changes are not large at all, but they do affect modern lives in amazing ways. i beleive that something so old affecting our modern world is amazing in its own right, and needs no fantastic size.


The curiosity and desire for innovating in terms of home interiors made Maria Esterlich Rossello design a new building scheme for the PORCELANOSA Grupo's central showroom.
Her design, which reached the final in the student category at the 11th PORCELANOSA Grupo Architecture and Interior Design Awards, mixes lightness and harmonious complex shapes through the simple lines and materials from the firm.
This student from: l'Escola d'Art i Superior de Disseny de les Illes Balears, has created a conjunction of binomials where both order and controlled chaos can be seen, which all of its architectural elements have.
A representation of ying and yang which brings classicism and modernity together in each stage of the tour. In it, there are horizontal and curved slats with a mineral skin that blocks out the outside noise. Worldly peace. Natural light.
Throughout the exhibition, there are three stops which meet the services required by the space itself. The reception bench, the shelving with displays and a work area, all define the set up that will greet the visitors. Then, there is a shelf, whose back part is backlit and it works like a screen. This room also incorporates a bathroom and an exhibition of other products from the Group.
In the kitchen and the dining room, horizontal ascending wooden slats are placed. Its arrangement manages to cover the entire roof, forming an independent atmosphere compared to the rest of the rooms.
This project presents two main materials: the KRION® Solid Surface mineral compact, which gives it a cutting-edge touch, and the natural wood belonging to the Advance collection by L'Antic Colonial. Its neutral colour and pristine finish, transmit warmth and a retreat-like feeling which induces bliss: "Al dolce far niente".
The contrast with the wood is enhanced by the KRION® mineral stone from the Snow White collection, which is also present in the bathroom sanitaryware and in the kitchen sink. Rebuild to build. A delight for the imagination.


text:
Brooklyn Bowl Presents
Roger Clyne & The Peace Makers
Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas
Good rock-n-roll isn't always accurately measured by radio airplay or platinum records.
Good, unadulterated, uncompromised rock is measured by the honesty and the passion the band puts into their music, their live performances, and in return, the passion of their fans, each feeding off the other to create a euphoric synergy in concert.
For over a decade, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers have been serving up nothing but pure, timeless rock-n-roll. And in the process, have stuck to their credo of letting art lead commerce by mixing relentless guitar licks, four part harmonies and thought-provoking lyrics.
Roger Clyne, guitarist Jim Dalton, drummer PH Naffah and bassist Nick Scropos are renowned as one of the tightest, most energetic and exciting live acts on the road today. Lead singer and Arizona native Clyne has been called both the Troubadour and the Springsteen of the Southwest.
Over the past 13 years, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers have released six studio albums, three live albums and an EP all on an independent record label. They are the only independent band to debut in the Top 10 on Billboard's Internet Sales chart for six consecutive albums, including two #1 entries – 1999′s Honky Tonk Union and 2004′s ¡Americano! Their latest release is Unida Cantina, a guitar-driven roots rock-n-roll record that reached #2 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and #4 on iTunes Rock Albums list in 2011.
Each year, the Peacemakers tour the U.S. several times over, travel south of the border to play in Mexico and in 2010 completed their first ever tour of the United Kingdom. The experience and comradeship of the band members shine on Unida Cantina, the most upbeat and collaborative effort yet for the band.
Unida Cantina (also pronounced as, "You Need A Cantina" in gringo speak) is Clyne's most infectious record since he and Naffah released their 1996 cult-classic, Fizzy, Fuzzy, Big and Buzzy with their previous band, The Refreshments, on Mercury Records. Fizzy, Fuzzy, Big and Buzzy was Radio & Record's ninth Best-Selling Debut Album of the Year, went to #1 on Billboard's Heatseeker Chart and spawned two popular radio hits, "Banditos" and "Down Together." Their efforts landed them guest spots on The Conan O'Brien Show and MTV's 120 Minutes. The Refreshments also wrote and performed the King of the Hill theme song.
On Unida Cantina, RCPM teamed up with producer/engineer/mixer and long time friend Clif Norrell (The Refreshments, Rush, No Doubt, R.E.M) to record 13 new songs. Collectively, the songs on Unida Cantina represent both the disillusionment and enlightenment of where Clyne's life is today compared to where he thought he would be when he was in his "immortal 20s." In many ways, it turned out different than he thought it would. But it also turned out better than could have imagined.
The result is pure American guitar-driven roots rock-n-roll. "All Over the Radio" is the album's first track, mixing the classic elements of RCPM music in crunching guitars and mariachi horn section. Other rockin' songs soon to become instant RCPM classics include "Dinero," "Heaven on a Paper Plate" and "Go With the Flow," the first song Clyne and Dalton ever wrote together.
The Spanish-influenced "Marie" has already become a fan favorite thanks to an acoustic recording session with MusicFog during the Steamboat Music Festival and a video that was released on the Internet.
The beautifully written "Small World" touches on the difficult task of showing the ultimate act of love for someone by letting go.
As Clyne sings on "Paper Airplanes," 'if you're feeling like you're too small for this world, or if you're feeling you're talking but there's no one there to listen,' sometimes you just need a place you can unify with other like minded people to weather the storm. And you may just find Unida Cantina.
Open at 5PM for Bowling, Food and Drinks!
80s Dance Party
The Music of Reggae for Kids
Saturday, August 31 · 7:00 PM at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas


The twelve stories in Indelible Acts are variations on a theme of longing - the unassuagable human need for contact, for completion, for that most fugitive gift of all: reciprocal love.
Its characters' lives are thwarted, dashed, impassioned, each in their own way immolated by hope.
A queue outside a cheese shop leads to a thrilling infidelity; a crematorium funeral exposes a love gone sour; a foreign hotel room becomes a diorama of despair as physical sickness becomes a metaphor for incurable grief.
In the title story, two lovers confront their lusts amid the ruins of Rome; in 'A Bad Son' a young boy from a damaged home searches for some kind of peace in the newly fallen snow.


From Left: Dawn, Paul, Larry and Skyy.
LARRY ANDERSON was born and raised in Mississippi. He received his undergraduate education at Rust College where he served as Director of Student Activities and Assistant Basketball Coach. He was also elected as the youngest Alderman in the city of Holly Springs, Mississippi. He received his Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi. Larry serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, the Head Men's Basketball Coach, and Director of Club Sports at MIT.
DAWN COLQUITT-ANDERSON was born in and raised near Chicago, Illinois, where she spent many of her formative years as a performing artist. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi and her Master's degree in Spanish Literature from the University of Mississippi. She is an experiential ed. educator and an artist that specializes in issues affecting underrepresented groups. She is also a documentary photographer that teaches photography in between shooting assignments.
SKYY ANDERSON is a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park. majoring in communications. She has interned for the Division of Student Life at MIT and Mass Youth Soccer. Growing up playing competitive soccer, she is currently a professional soccer player in the new National Women's Soccer League's Washington DC Spirit.
PAUL ANDERSON is a student at Rust College majoring in Business Administration and music, and is currently playing on the Men's Varsity Basketball Team. He has also used his experience over the years as a basketball specialist at the MIT summer day camp and as a camp counselor in the Cambridge Youth Soccer program. When off the courts he is playing a perfect Moonlight Sonata or watching over a pool as a lifeguard.
To contact Dawn and Larry, just send an email to tang-headofhouse@mit.edu, or call them at extension 56599.
Michael Collins is our house manager. His job is to do what it takes to keep the building running! He has been with us since spring '02. Mike enjoys spending quality time with his family and playing golf. He also manages the maintenance and custodial staff.
or else, just simply drop by his office.
Tim Hennelly is our trusty maintenance man. He can fix (almost) everything in Tang. You need to put in an online request if you have a problem with something in your apartment. But if it is urgent, you can call FIXIT (x34948) from an MIT phone.
His hours are from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Carlos Da Silva and Cteberson, the custodial staff take care of everything from cleaning the common areas to helping out our house manager with his daily tasks.
The THRA can be collectively emailed at tang-government@mit.edu.


text:
Piula Theological College ist ein methodistisches College in Samoa und Ausbildungsstätte für methodistische Geistliche. Es wurde 1868 in Lufilufi an der Nordküste von Upolu angesiedelt, nachdem es schon 1859 Anfänge in Satupa'itea an der Südküste von Savai'i gegeben hatte. Die Methodist Mission in Samoa erwarb Land in dem, den Methodisten zugeneigten, Distrikt und benannten ihr Seminar Piula Theological College. Der Name Piula ist eine Transliteration des biblischen Namens Beulah mit der Bedeutung verheiratet (mit Gott).
Bekannt ist das College auch aufgrund des Piula Cave Pool (Fatumea), eines natürlichen Felsenbeckens an der Küste.

Geschichte
In Samoa wird die methodistische Kirche als "lotu tonga" bezeichnet, aufgrund des ersten Kontakts zu Konvertiten und zur Mission der Kirche in Tonga im frühen 19. Jahrhundert.

Die Entscheidung eine Schulungseinrichtung zu gründen kam bei einer der jährlichen Kirchenversammlungen auf der Insel Manono, damals ein Zentrum der Kirche, am 21. September 1859.

In diesen frühen Jahren war Reverend George Brown eine Schlüsselfigur für die methodistische Kirche in Samoa. Er lebte 14 Jahre in Samoa, von 1860 bis 1874. Zusammen mit seiner Frau Lydia arbeitete er in der Mission in Satupaʻitea auf Savaiʻi. Brown erlernte die Samoanische Sprache und betrachtete die Menschen als seine Freunde. Wie viele andere Missionar, zeichnete Brown seine Erfahrungen in Samoa in Journalen auf, denen noch heute viele bedeutsame Informationen über die methodistische Kirche, aber auch über die Samoanische Geschichte und Kultur entnommen werden können.

Studium
Das theologische College bietet einen vierjährigen Kurs mit dem Abschluss eines Diplom in Theological Studies und der Möglichkeit, einen Bachelor of Divinity anzuschließen. Das Training bereitet die Menschen für den Dienst in der Samoa Methodist Church vor. Manche der Studenten sind bereits verheiratet. Deren Frauen bereiten sich durch spezielle Kurse auf ihre Rolle als Pfarrersfrauen vor.

Ein Leitprinzip für alle Aktivitäten am College ist es, so weit wie möglich eine christliche Gemeinschaft zu sein. Studenten erhalten auch Unterricht darin in angemessener Weise an Bräuchen in Samoan teilzunehmen und sich in der Gesellschaft einzubringen.

Gelände
Das Collegegelände befindet sich an der Nordküste von Upolu, direkt an der Küstenstraße. Der Eingang zum Campus ist durch eine blau-gelbe Mauer markiert. Auf dem Gelände steht die historische Piula Chapel, es gibt große Grünanlagen und einige samoanische Fale. Von der Chapel führen Treppen zum Meer hinunter, wo sich der Piula Cave Pool befindet.

Einzelnachweise

Christentum in Samoa
Gegründet 1868
Methodistische Hochschule
Atua