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Top 10 Most Read Pulmonary Hypertension Articles of 2015
by Leonor Mateus Ferreira
Pulmonary Hypertension News has covered news surrounding the latest treatments, events, clinical trials, and research updates related to pulmonary hypertension on a daily basis throughout the past year. As the year of 2015 comes to an end, our "Top 10 Most Read Pulmonary Hypertension Articles of 2015" ranks the most popular articles of the year on the disease featured in the news, ranked from the tenth most-read to the top-read PH news article.
No. 10 – "FDA Pre-market Approval for Remodulin Delivery with Implantable System Pending"
A year ago, United Therapeutics Corporation announced that Medtronic, Inc., the world's third largest medical device company, has forwarded a pre-market approval application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their proprietary SynchroMed® II implantable drug infusion system, along with a new catheter, to be used with United Therapeutics's Remodulin® (treprostinil) injectable, formulated for intravenous treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The announcement of pre-market approval for this novel drug delivery device remained a popular news article for the PH community, as it highlighted a promising, new way to administer PH therapies that could improve patient compliance and ease of use.
No. 9 – "Sarcoidosis-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension Highlighted By Recent Study"
While a major population of pulmonary hypertension patients are diagnosed with idiopathic or arterial pulmonary hypertension, there is also a population of patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by sarcoidosis that have similar unmet medical and therapeutic needs. Estimates from a paper published in Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine state that approximately 6%–20% of sarcoidosis patients will develop pulmonary hypertension and see an increased risk of mortality. This article highlighted a lesser-known PH patient population and highlighted the seriousness of sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension.
No. 8 – "Molecular Hydrogen in Water Protects Against Pulmonary Hypertension"
New research suggests administering molecular hydrogen may offer therapeutic value to pulmonary hypertension patients. Many factors account for the disease, and the most-used therapies rely on vasodilators of several kinds. However, the traditional treatments have failed to block disease progress effectively. In this study, the research team found that molecular hydrogen 2 (H2), a selective antioxidant that selectively reduces two specific ROS without affecting physiological ROS, is able to prevent the development of PH and reversed RV hypertrophy.
No. 7 – "Vagus Nerve Found To Regulate Pulmonary Fibrosis Progression"
In a new study entitled "Vagotomy attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice," researchers investigated the role of the vagus nerve in pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis. They established a mouse model and discovered that the vagus nerve regulates pulmonary fibrosis progression by controlling pro-fibrotic factors. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports and revealed that the vagus nerve influences bleomycin-induced PF.
No. 6 – "Highest Risk Of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Observed In Patients With Systemic Scleroderma"
Scleroderma has often been associated with a higher risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in previous research. This is because in patients with scleroderma, there is progressive blood vessel contraction (narrowing) that often leads to an increase in blood pressure in the lungs, which can in turn develop into PAH. The progression from scleroderma into pulmonary arterial hypertension was discussed in 2015 by renowned PH expert Harrison Farber, MD, at the American College of Rheumatology's State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium in Chicago, who underscored the health challenges experienced by this patient population and the unmet therapeutic needs for treating PH in those with systemic scleroderma.
No. 5 – "Targeted Therapeutics Under Investigation For PAH Treatment"
Scientific research groups and pharmaceutical companies around the world are working to develop targeted therapeutics that focus on specific cellular pathways that are associated with dysfunction in PAH patients. Within the realm of targeted therapeutics, certain therapies are in basic research and others are at moderate-to-advanced stages of clinical trials. Along with these targeted therapeutic strategies that are still in basic research, experimental PAH therapy bardoxolone methyl is in a Phase 2 clinical trial for PAH. Reata Pharmaceuticals began enrollment last year for the Phase 2 study for the targeted therapeutic bardoxolone methyl, which was recently granted orphan drug designation for PAH.
No. 4 – "phaware Global Association Launches New Website And High-tech Pulmonary Hypertension Research Focus"
September saw the launch of phaware global association (phaware), a new non-profit organization and website founded by a group of pulmonary hypertension (PH) awareness advocates. The main purpose of phaware is to reach the general public, news media, and potential donors in order to expand their exposure both nationally and internationally in unprecedented ways. The coalition of patients, caregivers, and medical professionals who make up the phaware initiative are determined to chart a new course to a PH cure through leading-edge biotechnological innovation and dedication to advancing the organization's objective through leveraging state of the art tools and creative content.
No. 3 – "Pulmonary Hypertension & Viagra: Researchers Discover Novel Mechanisms of Sildenafil for Disease"
A group of researchers from the University of Pécs, Hungary, have attempted to understand the mechanism by which pulmonary vascular remodeling initiates right ventricular failure and hypoxia, one of the leading causes behind the mortality rates associated with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). Sildenafil, known more commonly by its brand name Viagra, is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), an enzyme found in various tissues and involved in the cardiovascular system, and is frequently used in the treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this protective effect are not fully understood. The notion of treating PH with a drug like Viagra made headlines as a seemingly unlikely therapeutic solution, but research studies such as this one have demonstrated the scientific basis for how and why the therapy can benefit those with pulmonary hypertension.
No. 2 – "Reata's Bardoxolone Methyl as PAH Therapy Shows Promise in Initial Phase 2 Data"
In October, Irving, Texas-based Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced initial data from its LARIAT trial evaluating experimental therapy bardoxolone methyl in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the 2015 American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), which ran from October 25 to 28 in Montrèal, Canada. Throughout 2015, the PH community continued to closely follow the development of bardoxolone methyl for PAH, which has shown promise in its ongoing clinical trials.
No. 1 – "Highlights on New Theory for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: The Metabolic Theory"
Researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada published an article in the journal Cell Metabolism concerning pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and details on a new theory suggesting that the disorder should be seen as a syndrome affecting several organs at the metabolic level. The study is entitled "The Metabolic Basis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension." The authors discuss in the study an emerging theory known as the metabolic theory of PAH, which proposes that the disease should be approached as a syndrome with multi organ involvement that results from a metabolic remodeling in the vascular cells of the pulmonary circulation system but also the extra-pulmonary tissues as well.
Be sure to follow Pulmonary Hypertension News daily throughout 2016 for another year of groundbreaking, new research, therapies, and advocacy efforts to fight and eventually cure PH.
Tagged Molecular Hydrogen, PHAware, sarcoidosis, sildenafil, Systemic Sclerosis, viagra.
Previous: Pulmonary Hypertension Lifespan
Next:Fight Against PAH: This Is Meredith's Story


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By Mark M. September 20, 2021
Are Copper-infused Masks Safer Than Regular Masks
Copper is everywhere. It's one of the most abundant metals found on earth. It's in our planet's crust, in wires, computers .. and now in our masks. The COVID 19 craze has people hunting for anything and everything to stay safe from the novel virus. So, is copper the answer? Lately, there seems to be skyrocketing demand for anything laced with copper... bed sheets, socks, and even copper-spray coating.
It was just a matter of time before we saw copper arriving as the ultimate protector in our masks and other copper-fit face protectors. Manufacturers are lining up their masks with copper and touting their germ-killing properties. But, before you rush to order your copper-fit face protector, make sure you know whether you're safe. Are copper fit masks safer than ordinary masks? Can copper masks protect you from the COVID-19 virus?
True, Copper Has Antimicrobial Properties
Yes, copper has proven antimicrobial properties. Years of research have revealed that bacteria and viruses are killed on contact when they land on metallic copper surfaces. A more recent study in New England Journal Of Medicine found in a laboratory setting that copper can inactivate a high concentration of the novel coronavirus within four hours.
The use of copper for health and hygiene is nothing new, in fact, it dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt, and doctors today are still learning about the amazing benefits of copper.
According to Edward Bilsky, Ph.D., Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, copper can kill germs in a few ways:
-It disrupts bacterial cell membranes — copper ions damage cell membranes or "envelopes" and can destroy the DNA or RNA of the microbe
-It generates oxidative stress on bacterial cells and creates hydrogen peroxide that can kill the cell|
-It interferes with proteins that operate important functions that keep bacterial cells alive
How copper actually interferes with the proteins in bacteria cells still needs study, as it's not fully understood. But the current hypothesis is mis-metalation. "Mis-metalation is the ability of a metal to basically replace another metal," says Michael D. L. Johnson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. "Copper can just replace some of the other metals that are present in some of these other proteins [in bacteria] and by doing so, it blocks the function of those proteins."
Can Copper-Fit Face Protector And Masks Protect You From Coronavirus?
The answer is 'yes' and 'no'. Copper infused face masks certainly seem to be safer than regular masks. If the virus lands straight on the copper, chances are they will be killed on contact as study reveals. Studies point that copper is effective against COVID. But there's a good chance that the virus will altogether miss the copper which means the virus can enter your body intact.
Do not bank on copper masks to fully protect you against COVID 19. Please take precautionary measures introduced by the government to stay safe. The current best safety measure we know according to scientific studies and research is the vaccine. Your best shield against COVID 19 is the vaccine.
How To Throw A Knife Like A Pro
By George M January 17, 2022
3 Knives Designed for Maximum Strength
By Mark M. January 15, 2022
OTF Knife Laws Guide
Find out the legality of owning and carrying a switchblade knife in your state.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Should I cut back my Blueberry bush?
What Disease Does Our Apple Tree Have?
Harvested potatoes too early?? Can I replant?
What happened to my leaves??
Overgrown espalier pear trees...can I rescue them?
Fruit cages - DIY options?
Our School Vegetables: What Are They?


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Le palme ou la paume (latin palmus maior) est une ancienne unité de longueur d'environ . Elle égale quatre doigts et est, en même temps, le quart du pied.

Définition

Elle correspond à la largeur de la main à mi-hauteur du pouce, sans compter celui-ci, donc littéralement « la paume de la main », correspondant à trente-quatre lignes. Une ligne du Roy étant 1/144 du pied du Roy, cette paume-là était donc de  environ, ou bien, d'une valeur assez proche, pour un pied de base différente.

Le Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, dans le tome 2 de sa Quatrième Édition de 1762, indique que le palme est une espèce de mesure commune en Italie, et qui est de l'étendue de la main. Le palme n'est pas le même dans toutes les villes d'Italie. Le palme romain est de huit pouces trois lignes et demie. C'est aussi le nom d'une mesure en usage chez les Anciens. Le palme grec était de quatre doigts, ou le sixième d'une coudée grecque. Le palme romain avait douze doigts, trois quarts de pied, ou la moitié d'une coudée.

Le tome 3 du Dictionnaire de la langue française (Littré) de 1873 indique que le palme est une mesure en usage chez les anciens, représentant une étendue de . Il sera carré et double, et aura la grandeur d'un palme tant en longueur qu'en largeur. Le travers ou la largeur de la main, que l'on désigne sous le nom de palme, et les quatre doigts qui le composent, fournissent les divisions et les sous-divisions de la coudée naturelle. Le palme désigne également une mesure de longueur employée dans différentes contrées du midi de l'Europe, et qui n'est pas partout la même. Le palme de Nice était de . Le palme de Sardaigne vaut . C'est aussi le nom donné par les Provençaux à une longueur de neuf pouces qui servait d'unité de mesure aux constructeurs, aux voiliers, aux cordiers. Mesure dont on se sert exclusivement aujourd'hui en Italie pour le commerce des marbres ; elle vaut ; il faut 64 palmes cubes pour faire un mètre de volume.

Il mesure 55 lignes du Roi. Il a comme base la distance entre les bouts de l'index et du petit doigt, pas trop écartés (~ 12,4 cm).  (cf. lignes )

Dans la marine des , palme désigne une mesure de 13 lignes du Roi (soit ~29,25 mm) utilisée pour mesurer les diamètres des arbres propres à faire du bois de mâture. Dans ce cas, "palme" s'emploie au féminin. En France, la mesure d'un bois de mâture se prend à  du gros bout, alors qu'en Norvège ou en Angleterre, on mesure les mâts par le gros bout ce qui fait que  anglaises équivalent  de France. À Riga, on prend le périmètre à  du gros bout que l'on divise par 3/7. . À Riga, un mât de  fait au minimum . Pour chaque palme supplémentaire, la longueur s'accroît de deux pieds.

Références

Unité de longueur
Unité de mesure du Moyen Âge
Unité de mesure romaine
Unité de mesure grecque
Unité de mesure égyptienne
Unité de mesure ancienne française

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home > Success stories > Young entrepreneurs
Young entrepreneurs: Christian Samuel, University Cribs
From running an antique pot company aged 12 to founding a proptech start-up aged 23, this young founder has an appetite for business
by Megan Dunsby
Updated: Feb 2, 2019 Published: Mar 28, 2017
BackBen Jeffries
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Name: Christian Samuel
Company: University Cribs
Website: universitycribs.co.uk
At the age of 23, not many people can say they've been running businesses for 11 years but Christian Samuel is an exception.
Aged 12, during the time that his friends would play football at the park, Samuel would buy and sell antique pots and, "while not the most exciting childhood venture", made sales of nearly £3,000. This return on investment whet his appetite for enterprise.
After leaving school at the age of 16 – "my mindset was not suited to the uniformity of school" – Samuel went on to import then kid's craze Gogo toys to sell at local primary fairs. He later moved on from collectible figurines to set up an events and marketing business, followed by another events and marketing company which he still runs; operating 40 student events in cities across the UK.
Fast forward to 2017 and Samuel's latest venture, University Cribs, looks set to be his most successful business yet.
Launched with co-founders Daniel Jefferys and Jack Jenkins in November of last year, University Cribs capitalised on the growing demand for proptech (property technology) solutions with a property search engine specifically designed with students in mind.
The platform connects students to accommodation providers across the UK, charging letting agents and private halls of residence to list their properties on the portal.
With two "significant" funding rounds behind it, Samuel has global aspirations for University Cribs and is already eyeing up growth through networks in America, Europe and Australia while considering other verticals, such as insurance providers, to target in the UK.
Speaking on life as a young entrepreneur, Samuel admits that it can be tough to "gain the attention and respect of others in your industry" but believes the pros outweigh the cons:
"I can get up each day and focus solely on pursuing my dreams, without being constrained by life circumstances like many older entrepreneurs."


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Key Stage 3 Pedagogy
At GEMS Founders School, we recognise entering Key Stage 3, is a pivotal moment in a child's school life. Our mission is to ensure learners are fully prepared and ready to take a step up with independent learning, curriculum content and application of knowledge. To ensure this transition process is seamless, during the second half of Year 6, we start to engage learners in early content ranging from teacher introductions to question and answer opportunities, as well as secondary taster lessons. This enables learners to feel more confident and familiar with the secondary environment early on.
The curriculum in Key Stage 3 is designed to facilitate learners to grow independently, with the presence of hard work and perseverance. Curriculum content in core and non-core subjects frequently links to iGCSE standards to prepare learners for choosing their options and beginning the courses upon moving into Key Stage 4. Lessons are all pitched at curriculum standard within the Key Stage, allowing learners to develop application, analytical and meta-thinking skills in all subjects. Importantly, teachers also always offer the opportunity for challenge and tailor learning where support is needed.
In Key Stage 3, along with the rest of the secondary school, we assess frequently during lessons each day. Deep marking in core subjects takes place once every two weeks allowing learners to respond and build on the foundations of their work. Progress checks take place frequently in Key Stage 3, whereby the class teacher takes into consideration progress over time to accumulate a milestone of the level the learner is working at.
Much like entering the Key Stage, learners are also supported and given detailed advice and guidance when in Year 9 to prepare for moving on into Key Stage 4. This is conducted through a steady process of parent-student option and information evenings, as well as one to one advice from older student mentors and heads of department about iGCSE courses. Particularly in Year 9, the curriculum reflects the standard expected in Key Stage 4, thus setting our learners up to further their success and surpass their potential when eventually taking their examinations at a later stage in their educational journey with us at GEMS Founders School.


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BORN A LEADER
As I look back on the past eighty-one years of my life, it is obvious to those who have known me that I was born a leader. My purpose in stating this is not to brag or self-aggrandize but simply to acknowledge that leading rather than following always came naturally to me. My earliest memory of this trait is when I was about six years old and I formed a little club of kids; or it could have been that the kids naturally gravitated to me to "lead the way." The above photo taken in 1947 at Camp Sonnikwa in the Adirondacks of New York State (I'm in the middle with a broad smile and leaning to my right) captures what may have drawn people to me. Head cocked a bit and looking directly into the lens, I was always ready with an idea, or with a plan to move forward, or with an easy laugh. I enjoyed a fertile imagination from the earliest age. I'm sure I was inspired by movies I saw at the Park Theater in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia, a hundred steps from our front door. Movies starring Superman, Tom Mix, The Lone Ranger and Tarzan filled me with images of men taking charge, leading the way, saving the world or coming to save a damsel in distress. During this period I acquired the nick-name Joe-Joe the Iron Man; some close friends still call me Jo-Jo. If I had to guess, I would bet on my having come up with the name myself. This might have been the start of a lifelong predilection for naming things: groups, book titles, captions, themes, and titles for my photographs and short stories.
When my family moved from Diamond Street in Strawberry Mansion to the more suburban neighborhood of West Mount Airy, I became a serious gardener cultivating a half-acre plot behind my house. (This garden will be the subject of a future biographical entry). Around the age of 14, maybe less, I formed the Young Farmers Garden Mart. The goal was to find a piece of land, grow vegetables and sell them locally. I remember painting a sign with silver letters on a black background. The board I used was so small, it would have only attracted the attention of grasshoppers and mice. This group of about three other teenagers fizzled out when we were unsuccessful in finding a plowable site for our truck farm. But as they say: the fun was in the planning — nothing ventured, nothing gained.
The next stage of my growth as a leader came when I was a student at Perkiomen Preparatory School in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, a boarding school forty-five minutes northwest of Philadelphia. I was elected president of the Junior Class (perhaps based on my oh-so-modest campaign logo "Hitch Your Wagon to a Star." The following year, I was elected president of the school. At Perkiomen, I also took on the responsibility of directing a play based on Paul Gallico's fine novel The Snow Goose. (This experience will also be the subject of a future humorous biographical entry). On another occasion, I organized a group of students to decorate the gymnasium for a gala dance party, the likes of which the School had never seen. We installed a suspended ceiling of pink satin bunting, cast a concrete fountain in the middle of the basketball court, and lined the walls of the gym with 12 foot high heavyweight display paper on which we painted scenes of varying subject matter. This was my first foray into creating memorable party extravaganzas.
Later in life (I was maybe in my later 30s) the head of the Mayor's Science and Technology Advisory Committee in Philadelphia appointed me head of the Urban Design Division. With this mantle and imprimatur, I created the Philadelphia Renaissance project, which, in essence was a city beautification program wedded to a day of block parties.
I founded the Architectural League of The Philadelphia Art Alliance and ran the League's programs for half a decade. Our most dramatic and memorable event was the hugely successful Broad Street Comes Alive Exhibition, which attracted very favorable reviews and editorials in both of Philadelphia's major newspapers. Around this time, I was appointed the chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
Not all my projects were successful. The Bicentennial Jamboree was an effort to celebrate America's 100th birthday when the City itself failed to get a celebration off the ground. That project never got beyond the planning stage but the poster remains a lovely reminder.
My efforts to create an Avenue of American History has had a checkered past. I was successful in forming a development group to move the project forward but the group was ultimately not successful in the United States. Azerbaijan recently expressed interest in the concept, so I remain hopeful. There iproject would be called The Avenue of Azerbaijan History.
SpaceGroup has been my most successful undertaking. Writing in 2019, the Group has been in existence for thirteen years and is still going strong.
Being a leader comes naturally to me. My spirits are almost always up, I have an easy smile, ideas come to me in abundance, I am motivated to engage with others to better the world, I abound in self-confidence in a way that is not off-putting. It helps to be above board, honest, respectful, but not shy about taking necessary actions that followers expect of a leader. I was raised in a way that caused me not to shrink in the face of authority and to follow, against all opposition, that which I hold be true or possibly true, subjecting that which may be true to a rigorous effort to prove what I believe in and to change my course in the face of clear evidence to the contrary.
Being a leader has enriched my life in countless ways. I feel as though I have generally contributed to the happiness and well-being of those around me and made good use of the great GIFT OF LIFE.
Joel Levinson


September and October bring a lot of things on the farm, but my favorite is wheat planting. Wheat is such an interesting crop. I love watching wheat as it develops and hope to share the process with you.
Jake waving to me, isn't that nice?
The first step in the wheat crop is fertilizing the ground. We use a dry fertilizer, 11-52-0 and anhydrous ammonia. 11-52-0 is called monoammonium phosphate or MAP. This provides the wheat plant with some nitrogen and enough phosphorus for the growing season. The rest of the nitrogen needs are met with the anhydrous ammonia.
Now that the ground has been fertilized, it is time to plant the seeds. We will use the same tractor and air seeder as we did for fertilizing.
We will plant three different varieties this fall: Everest, TAM 113, and SY Wolf. Everest has been our go to variety for the past 3 years and it has been a very good variety. TAM 113 is a newer variety and all indications from when it was harvested shows that it will be a good one as well. SY Wolf has been touted as a Cadillac variety, meaning it has a lot of potential to be a great yielding variety.
We can't wait to see how the wheat develops!


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Vartan Gregorian Honored by Refugees International
in Latest, News, Top Stories
Vartan Gregorian speaking at Refugees International's 40th Anniversary Dinner, April 30, 2019 (Photo: Kevin Allen Photography)
WASHINGTON —500 guests gathered in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Refugees International organization. Addressing the crowd, former president of Portugal and a distinguished former trustee of Carnegie Corporation of New York, Jorge Sampaio stated, "At a time when bitterness and disaffection are on the rise, we have to come together to speak up against intolerance, xenophobia, and racism."
President Sampaio and Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, were awarded the organization's highest honor, the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award, for their steadfast leadership in the international community and for their work to ensure funding for displaced Syrian students and scholars through the Global Platform for Syrian Students and through Carnegie Corporation of New York's support.
"This year's awardees have demonstrated incredible willingness to take on the most difficult challenges and push the international community to do better in pursuit of justice and human rights," said Eric Schwartz, president of Refugees International.
As the founder and chairman of the Global Platform for Syrian Students, President Sampaio has managed the impossible task of gathering an emergency consortium of governments, regional and international organizations, donor agencies, foundations, universities, faith-based organizations, and various ethnic and cultural NGOs, along with the private sector and individuals. President Sampaio's agenda has been and continues to be the rescue of as many students as possible, providing them with a home and the opportunity to be educated, so that they might serve as future resources for their societies.
"To stand up with the most vulnerable, with men, women, and young people around the world, and join efforts to live up to their aspirations for a life of dignity and respect, this is what Refugees International has been doing for the last 40 years," said President Sampaio via a video recording addressed to guests at the gala. He concluded with an appeal: "Let's all together step up our shared responsibility for fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence."
The audience responded enthusiastically. President Sampaio's remarks were followed by a message from Eileen Shields-West, Refugees International board chair, explaining how she came to know and be impressed by the Global Platform: "President Sampaio offered how he envisioned a time when these students, armed and emboldened with their degrees, would return one day to Syria to become contributing members of their society. He practically moved us to tears with his passion for this cause and the value of scholarship in tearing down borders and building communities of people who value learning and scholarship."
Carnegie Corporation of New York's Vartan Gregorian (left) and his chief of staff, Jeanne D'Onofrio (right), with Refugees International board members Marianne Gimon D'Ansembourg and Matt Dillon (Photo: Kevin Allen Photography)
President Sampaio launched the Global Platform with just 100 euros — and within six months the first group of 45 Syrian students arrived in Portugal to resume their studies, which had been disrupted by war, under an emergency scholarship program. Since 2015 Carnegie Corporation of New York has given three grants totaling $1 million dollars to the initiative. In accepting the McCall-Pierpaoli Award on behalf of President Sampaio and himself, Gregorian praised his fellow honoree for maintaining the ideals of European humanism and enlightenment, saying:
"For me, President Sampaio embodies the conscience of Europe. We Americans should be grateful that there are still people in Europe who believe in enduring values that transcend cultures and civilizations, values that unite all of us. Such men and women believe that humanity is one; and that every fragment of humanity is God's creation, deserving of respect and care."
Gregorian made a point of emphasizing that President Sampaio is the real hero. He is the brainchild behind the Global Platform for which the two of them were being honored. "Giving money is easy, investing money is hard, and it was the vision of President Sampaio that led this humanitarian campaign."
On April 30, 2019, Refugees International hosted its 40th Anniversary Dinner in Washington, D.C., honoring individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to humanitarian action. (Photo: Kevin Allen Photography)
The McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award was also given to The Honourable Louise Arbour, former special representative of the United Nations secretary-general for international migration, for her lifetime of work in the pursuit of justice and human rights. At the UN, Arbour led advocacy efforts on international migration, provided policy advice, and coordinated United Nations entities on migration issues. Her work on the Global Compact for Migration helped to establish an important global framework to manage the migration crisis.
Refugees International does not accept any government or United Nations funding, ensuring the independence and credibility of the nonprofit's work and allowing its advocacy to be both independent and fearless. The annual gala seeks to honor those who have made a commitment to meeting the needs of the displaced and, in particular, those who work to find solutions to the migration and refugee crises.
Others recognized included Taller Salud, a humanitarian aid group in Puerto Rico, which provided critical services and unwavering support in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and María; U.S. Representative Will Hurd of Texas, for his commitment to the resolution of challenging migration issues through civil discourse based on facts and not fear; and Mayor Wilmot Collins of Helena, Montana, for effectively championing the importance of the U.S. refugee resettlement program while reminding the public about the enormous positive contributions of refugees to our society.
Eileen Shields-West, board chair of Refugees International, with Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, who was honored with the organization's McCall-Pierpaoli Award (Photo: Kevin Allen Photography)
Since 1979 Refugees International has advocated for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people who have been deeply affected by conflict, social upheavals, and natural disasters. For many years it has been the leading U.S. advocacy organization committed to voicing the struggles faced by the most vulnerable populations. In the past year, Refugees International's work occurred in part on field missions to Bangladesh Colombia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Turkey, Central African Republic, and other focus countries.
Celebrating Ataturk's…


Kruger, Joan with Dr. Burdette Leikvoll. Called of God, But…I Lost My Compass. Overland Park, KS: iCross Publishing, 2014.
U.S. Missions: Celebrating 75 Years of Ministry. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2012.
The Assemblies of God USA has always been dedicated to the mission of God, domestic and abroad, since its founding in 1914. While Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) was created in 1919, it was not until 1937 that Assemblies of God U.S. Missions (AGUSM) was created to bring greater organization to home mission efforts. This full-color, lavishly-illustrated coffee table book celebrates the 75th anniversary of AGUSM. This volume provides an overview of the history of U.S. Missions, as well as its seven departments, and is a wonderful tribute and memoir to Assemblies of God U.S. missionaries and their efforts to reach America with the gospel, that none perish.
Chapter 1, "Highlights of 75 Years of U.S. Missions," is an adapted and edited from A History of Home Missions of the Assemblies of God (1992) by Ruth Lyon.
In Chapter 2, Kirk Noonan provides an overview of Chaplaincy Ministries, which includes industrial/occupational chaplains, prison chaplains, and military/VA chaplains. The Chaplaincy Ministries Department was started in 1973. Noonan reports, "Chaplains minister to service personnel, prisoners, the sick, dying people in crisis and trauma, athletes, truckers, bikers, cowboys, law enforcement personnel, fire fighters, factory workers, retirees, people involved in human trafficking, politicians, etc. To put it simply, where there is someone in need, there is a chaplain" (p. 21).
Sarah Malcolm traces the history of Chi Alpha in chapter 3. Chi Alpha is the national ministry of the Assemblies of God USA to reach students, including over 700,000 international students, who are attending colleges and universities in the U.S. Founded in 1953, Chi Alpha is currently the fourth largest evangelical campus ministry in the U.S. Malcolm states, "Chi Alpha is not just a program, it is a culture of disciple making. The transformed students and committed missionaries of Chi Alpha are laying the ground work for the next generation of the Assemblies of God and its leaders" (p. 50).
Chapter 4, written by William Molenaar, explores the history of Intercultural Ministries. While intercultural ministries and evangelism have been a part of the Assemblies of God since its founding, the Home Missions Department was tasked with overseeing intercultural ministries in 1937. Later in 1945, the Intercultural Ministries Department was created within AGUSM. America's multicultural past, present, and future creates both a great evangelistic challenge and a great evangelistic opportunity for the Assemblies of God USA. Molenaar focuses on five of the earliest and historic ministries: Jewish ministries, Native American ministry, ministry to the Blind, ministry to the Deaf, Alaskan ministry, and the various ethnic-language branches, districts and fellowships of the Assemblies of God USA.
Joshua R. Ziefle wrote Chapter 5, which covers the history of Missionary Church Planters and Developers (MCPD). Originally founded in 1947, MCPD is tasked with identifying, supporting and resourcing church planting and development missionaries appointed by U.S. Missions. Ziefle notes, "For almost a century, the Assemblies of God has been a leader in church planting. Early Pentecostals were visionaries and entrepreneurs, buoyed by a vision to save the world and anchored by a deep commitment to Christ and God's Word" (p. 71).
Chapter 6 features a history of Teen Challenge International, U.S.A., written by David Batty, Ethan Campbell, and Patty Baker. The authors trace the inspiring story of David Wilkerson's ministry in New York City to the global growth of the Teen Challenge. It is widely held that Teen Challenge is "one of the world's largest and most successful drug recovery programs" (p. 89). Teen Challenge has been running over 50 years now with more than 1000 centers in 93 countries around the world.
William Molenaar wrote chapter 7 regarding the U.S. Mission America Placement Service (MAPS) Department. U.S. MAPS "is the ministry within Assemblies of God U.S. Missions that assists churches, schools and ministries by coordinating volunteers with construction and evangelism projects" (p. 99). MAPS originated in 1967 as an inter-departmental effort of the Assemblies of God National Office to mobilize laity to participate in the mission of God both home and abroad, and today has a thriving RV volunteer ministry.
Finally, Chapter 8, written by Kevin Dawson, traces the development of the Youth Alive Department. Dawson explains, "Youth Alive is a missionary movement dedicated to equipping and releasing students to reach the middle school and high school campuses of the United States" (p. 118). Youth Alive not only develops campus clubs, but it mobilizes young people to be missionaries to their schools. Today, Youth Alive is in 15 percent of the middle schools and high schools in the U.S.
Readers will enjoy reading the substantive histories of U.S. Missions, as well as browsing the historical photographs throughout the book. Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center staff provided images and significant editorial assistance in the production of the book: William Molenaar authored two chapters, Glenn Gohr checked facts and citations, and Gohr and Darrin Rodgers provided extensive editorial work. Few books are both attractive and add to the body of scholarly literature. This book achieves both. U.S. Missions: Celebrating 75 Years of Ministry will be warmly received by both scholars and those who lived the history. This commemorative volume should be added to your personal library and is also ideal for your coffee table, waiting room, or as a gift.
Hardcover, 128 pages. $25.00 retail. Order from: Gospel Publishing House.
Register, Margaret. A Place for People, Puppets, and Cockroach Soup: Pioneering Delightfully Over-the-Top and Seriously Under-Budgeted Christian TV Productions. [S.n.] : CreateSpace, 2012.
Once again, Margaret (Maggie) Register delights us with an outstanding memoir. This time she chronicles, with humor and pathos, the formation of STAR Ministries, an Assemblies of God World Missions television and radio production studio. Margaret Register speaks in a conversational tone, drawing the reader first into her experience in Guatemala where 18,000 children came to a basketball stadium to see the "stars" of Lugar Secreto, the children's show she and her husband, Joe, produced. She is authentic in describing, sometimes with great humor, the struggles, setbacks, and joys of learning television production—first as "talent," then as floor director, and finally as producer—and the unexpected traumas of life as a "foreign" missionary based in the States and working with dozens of volunteers.
After ten years as missionaries in Chile and Paraguay, South America, Joe and Margaret Register wanted to produce a television talk show in Spanish. But, how does one begin a first-time-ever ministry of Spanish Television and Radio? Joe and Margaret did not even consider doing a show for children. Not at first.
A Place for People, Puppets, and Cockroach Soup recounts amazing, funny, heart-warming, sometimes near-tragic stories of how God took His plan and wrapped it around the far-reaching dreams and hard work of a dedicated family—Joe, Margaret, daughter Crysti, and son Timmy—and a host of God-sent volunteers. They did not know how to build sets, run cable, operate cameras, develop "characters" or write scripts. They learned by trial and error, with a budget always stretched to the limit. But God gave creative ideas and sent gifted volunteers and delightful puppets. The result was El Lugar Secreto (The Secret Place), a series of award-winning shows for Spanish-speaking children.
These true stories display fascinating, unique events as God's grace and wisdom astound Joe and Margaret as they developed a very successful television ministry that would eventually reach all of Latin America and be broadcast on fourteen satellites into 200 countries.
From language study in Mexico to the country of Chile and then to Paraguay, Margaret, in her first book, No Place for Plastic Saints, recounts vividly an earthquake, a dead body on a table, and chicken feet in soup. Joe and Margaret lived in Temuco and in Viña, Chile, and later in Paraguay, where they began a very successful television ministry that would eventually reach all of Latin America (the story she tells in this, her second book).
Margaret Register has done a great service to the body of Christ in writing A Place for People, Puppets, and Cockroach Soup. She excels in painting delightful and vivid word pictures so that you, the reader, feel you are there with her as she walks through each dramatic story. This is truly an authentic account of the good, the bad, and the miraculous in the life of a dedicated missionary family. This book is a must read!
Paperback, 273 pages. $17.99 retail. Also available in Kindle. Order from: Amazon.
Bundrick, David and Steve Badger, eds. Proceedings of the Inaugural Faith & Science Conference. Springfield, MO : Gospel Publishing House, 2011.
The uneasy relationship between faith and science existed long before church leaders censured Galileo for his defense of heliocentrism in 1633. The tensions that potentially exist between biblical faith and scientific advance can be perplexing and faith challenging. As today's world grows more reliant upon scientific advancement, the Church is increasingly filled with scientifically literate believers who expect and deserve a prayerful, well-reasoned approach to the myriad ways in which science intersects with their faith. In recognition of these trends, the General Secretary's office of the Assemblies of God recently sponsored a first-of-its-kind conference for the Fellowship. The Inaugural Faith & Science Conference took place on Evangel University's campus in Springfield, Missouri, in the summer of 2011.
Equip teachers and spiritual leaders to better evangelize and disciple followers of Christ who are increasingly scientifically savvy.
13. Perspectives on Origins: How Diverse Are Pentecostals?
29. Creation Crisis? Proclaim God's Wonders!
32. The Journey of a Christian Layman with a Science and Technology Background: How Can We Bring Science-Educated People to Christ?
These provocative and insightful sessions and articles are invaluable tools for preparing readers to effectively minister to those who desire a Christian theology that can engage science meaningfully and constructively.
Paperback, 348 pages. $19.99 retail. Order from: Gospel Publishing House.
Clark, Paul. German Pentecostal Church Planting, 1945-2005: Implications for Intentional Mission in the Twenty-First Century. Benton Harbor, MI: Priority Publishing, 2011.
Pentecostalism is booming. From Capetown to Singapore to Rio de Janeiro, the barely hundred-year-old movement is making its presence felt wherever it goes. Its continuing expansion across the global South in recent years has, among other things, created a veritable cottage industry for those willing to research and discuss the work of the Holy Spirit in the myriad cultural worlds of the now. The flurry of popular and academic attention to such contemporary developments has been intense. In the process, however, many older and just as unique indigenizations have been ignored.
This volume by Paul Clark is a helpful corrective to this trend. By focusing on German Pentecostal church growth over the past 60 years, Clark reveals the movement's unique path in the heart of old Europe. As a veteran missionary church planter in Germany, Clark's approach to his subject matter is both informed and immediate. The careful research work he has done here tells of a religious movement nearly as old as Azusa Street, but which developed under vastly different circumstances.
Clark's purpose is to provide "insights to assist present and future church planters in Germany" (5) as they and others come to "understand contextual and theological issues unique to Germany" (10). Following a literature review of the German language sources relevant to the topic at hand, a discussion of biblical models of church planting, and the context of the Freikirchen (Free Churches), Clark turns his attention to the deep history of Pentecostalism in Germany. Outsiders from the beginning, German Pentecostals were not welcomed in the state-funded churches and came into existence as culturally suspect "Free Churches." Not long after the movement took root in 1906, German believers faced the additional pressure of being labeled as cultic and even Satanic by fellow evangelical Free Church Christians—not to mention German society at large. For Clark, this 1909 Berlin Declaration helped create an image of Pentecostals that has been as damning as it has been lasting.
The five German church groups studied for this monograph are: the Bund Freikirchler Pfingstgemeinden (BFP), the Volksmission, the Ecclesia Fellowship of Churches, the Mulheim Association, and the Church of God. Clark investigates all of the German-speaking church plants operating with the cooperation of these groups in the post-WWII era, provided the congregations are still in existence. He then sorts the churches into eleven categories according to the circumstances of their founding. Clark rejects two of these categories–churches founded by refugees from the East and by splits in existing churches–as poor models upon which to base further church planting. Planting churches by use of evangelistic meetings, while showing some success in the past, is also downplayed as less than useful in modern Germany.
The remaining categories of historical church planting retain viability for Clark: resident clergy or layperson initiated, mother church plants, foreign missionary initiated, organic development from the Charismatic Movement, non-resident clergy/lay initiated, home cell group initiated, derivatives of youth oriented ministry, and as the result of proximity to a national or international ministry. Of these models, Clark elevates the mother-daughter church paradigm as key. Further, he strongly encourages the use of interpersonal missionary connections rather than institutional outreach.
Clark's study has much to commend it. Most notable is the care and diligence with which he assembles the data that comprises this study. Scholars and church leaders will be glad of it for years to come. For the English-speaking reader, his is a rare insight into German Pentecostalism that elucidates the unique context of Pentecostalism in a secular land that maintains its cultural allegiance to a state-funded Staatskirche. The slow numerical growth witnessed by church planters in Germany is thus not surprising. Clark's additional observations about the use of the home cell group and suggestions for dialogue and cooperation between the major Pentecostal groups once again reminds readers that his knowledge of the movement is both as deep as it is practical.
Alas, there are some drawbacks to Clark's work. First, he often lacks the specificity needed to adequately make his point. Throughout the book and in his title, for instance, he continually refers to the need for "intentional" ministry. The term is both undefined and overused in the book, in the process rendering it essentially meaningless. By not clearly spelling out what he means theologically, he weakens a major piece of his argument. So too his occasional assertions of "emotional excesses" (49) on the part of some German Pentecostals remains opaque. He neither historically nor philosophically explains what he means by this language, in the process clouding one of the criticisms made against the movement.
Second, Clark's approach is rather unfocused. He does well in establishing the facts on the ground and analyzing the data, but when he moves from analysis to practical recommendations, he seems to have missed a step or two. His approach to his findings and suggestions mostly takes the form of lists. While some of what he has to offer is vital, other conclusions—such as "pastors need to lead by example" (146)—seem neither particularly profound nor necessarily derived from his research. A more focused thesis, the removal of excess and sometimes unnecessary commentary, and more deliberate argumentation would help organize his findings more helpfully.
In spite of these drawbacks, Clark's work stands alone as one of the only—if not the only—full-length English work on indigenous German Pentecostalism. Because German Pentecostal Church Planting, 1945-2005 exists at the crossroads of the historical, sociological, practical, and theological, it is hard to criticize it for occasionally unwanted editorializing. Many of Clark's comments are both insightful and apropos, and will bear much fruit for those willing to read both his monograph and peruse the associated twenty-two appendices of data and related material. Missionaries, pastors, and other ministry workers in Western Europe will be wise to study it closely as they contemplate the work at hand. English-speaking students of global Pentecostalism and sociologists of religion will alike both find much to provoke conversation and reflection on this small corner of the diverse and changing world religious landscape.
Published also in German: Clark, Paul. Die Gründung von Pfingstgemeinden in Deutschland, 1945-2005 : Implikationen für intentionale Mission im 21. Jahrhundert. Benton Harbor, MI: Priority Publishing, 2011.
Paperback, 280 pages. €16.95 retail. Order from: Priority Publishing.


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Kanye West opens up about his porn addiction
MUMBAI: Rapper Kanye West has revealed that he'd been exposed to porn from a young age and was addicted to sex after his mother died in 2007.
In an interview to Zane Lowe for his Apple Music Beats 1 show, West opened up about his porn and sex addiction, reports usmagazine.com.
The Gold Digger hitmaker said: "Playboy was my gateway into full-blown pornography addiction. My dad had a Playboy left out at age five, and it's affected almost every choice I made for the rest of my life. From age five to now having to kick the habit. And it just presents itself in the open, like it's OK. And I stand up and say, you know, it's not OK."
West shared that God helped him beat the addiction.
"With God, I've been able to beat things that had a full control of me. That Playboy that I found when I was five years old was written all over the moment that I was at the MTV Awards with the Timberlands, the Balmain jeans - before people were rocking Balmain jeans - and the Hennessy bottle," he said, referring to the infamous 2009 MTV Video Music Awards where he interrupted Taylor Swift on stage.
"That was such a script out of a rockstar's life. My mom had passed a year before, and I had said, 'Some people drown themselves in drugs. And I drown myself in my addiction'," he added.
Kanye West Gold Digger Apple music Beats 1 music
MTV Hustle contestant M-Zee Bella: Biggest competition and motivation was EPR
MUMBAI: M-Zee Bella aka Deepak Singh ruled the MTV Hustle stage for the longest time. On winning many verbal accolades from judges Nucleya, Raja Kumari and Raftaar, Bella always was in the list of their favorites.
MUMBAI: Just as Total Dhamaal garnered an overwhelming response at the box office, the talented playback singer of the song Speaker Phat Jaaye- Abuzar Akhtar, also earned plentiful appreciation for his talent.
MUMBAI: American pop star Nick Jonas is floored by his better half, Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra's look in saree.Nick's reaction came after Priyanka shared a photo on Instagram where she is seen wearing a blue saree, from an event she recently attended in Mumbai.
Witness 62nd GRAMMY Awards live in the country exclusively on Vh1 India
MUMBAI: Music Industry's biggest award night is back for its 62nd edition! Alicia Keys will return as host the ceremony for the second year in a row, making her the third woman and the first female musician to host the show twice.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan gives land for a hospital in Kerala
MUMBAI: Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has written to Kerala Government to build a hospital on a two-acre land that the state government had earlier given him to build a music academy. Khan says he believes healthcare is a primary needs for every human, beyond religion.
Abu Malik's appearance in Bigg Boss 13 created many comic scenes
MUMBAI: Yesterday's Bigg Boss housemates had a ball of a time when ex-contestants Siddharth Dey and Abu Malik stepped into doing an interesting task...read more
MUMBAI: Pop singer Justin Bieber was reportedly asked to leave an exclusive gym because of singer Taylor Swift wanted to train alone. Bieber and...read more
Lahiri's 'Yaar Bina Chain' to feature in 'Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan'
MUMBAI: The makers of "Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan" have decided to add a remix version of Bappi Lahiri's "Yaar Bina Chain" in the movie, with lead...read more


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Rving Guide
→The Best Spark Plugs For Your Vehicle
The Best Spark Plugs For Your Vehicle
Last Updated on December 2nd, 2019
The best spark plugs are those that resist fouling and deterioration. Of course, you can't expect the spark plugs in a modern engine to last forever, even if you choose the more expensive variety.
But choosing the best spark plugs is easy. Just check the owner's manual. Using the wrong type of spark plugs will not damage the engine, but it may significantly deter engine performance and emissions in the long run.
In order to make things a bit more interesting, I divided this list of the best spark plugs into three different categories: best standard spark plugs, best high-performance spark plugs, and finally the best iridium spark plugs.
What's This Talk About Spark Plug Heat Range?
How Will I Know The Difference Between A Hot And Cold Spark Plug?
What Happens If I Use A Spark Plug With The Wrong Heat Range?
The Best Standard Spark Plugs
1. NGK CR9EK Standard Spark Plug
2. Denso U-Groove Spark Plugs
3. NGK V-Power Spark Plugs
4. Champion Copper Plus Spark Plug
5. Bosch Copper with Nickel Spark Plug
The Best High-Performance Spark Plugs
1. NGK G-Power
2. Denso Platinum TT
3. Bosch Double Platinum
The Best Iridium Spark Plugs
1. NGK Iridium IX
2. Denso Iridium TT
3. Bosch Double Iridium Pin to Pin
You're probably referring to cold or hot spark plugs. Generally speaking, the heat range refers to the ability of the spark plug to remove heat inside the combustion chamber. Whether this is a good or bad thing will depend on the type of motor.
Think about this: a lawnmower engine operates at a lower temperature than an LS V8 motor in a Corvette. With this in mind, a low power engine needs a 'hot' spark plug to maintain sufficient heat in the tip of the plug. Without the right amount of heat, the spark plug may have a difficult time producing the desired spark and combustion.
On the other hand, a V8-powered Corvette that spins at 7,000 rpm needs a 'cold' spark plug. It is designed to resist and evacuate more heat from the combustion chamber. But then again, it all depends on the design of the engine. This is why it's important to consult the owner's manual if you want to replace the spark plugs in any type of vehicle, whether it's a Corolla or a Corvette.
The heat range of the spark plug is indicated by a heat rating number, which is usually 2 to 10 with 10 being the 'coldest' in the group. However, it also depends on the manufacturer or the brand of spark plugs.
However, the easiest way to tell if you have a hot or cold spark plug is to inspect the spark plug itself. A hot spark plug will typically have a longer and thinner insulator nose. But a cold spark plug will have a shorter and thicker insulator nose.
You won't necessarily damage the engine if you accidentally installed a spark plug with the wrong heat range. But then again, the consequences will vary on the make and model of your vehicle.
If the engine requires a cold spark plug and you installed a hot plug, the spark plug temperature inside the combustion chamber will drop significantly. This is not good since the motor won't be able to burn all of the air and fuel mixture. This results in carbon deposits and loss of spark.
But if you installed a hot plug-in a motor that requires a cold spark plug, pre-ignition could occur inside the combustion chamber. At first, this will cause incessant knocking noises. But as the problem worsens, the insanely high temperatures will melt the electrodes in the spark plug and cause engine seizure.
NGK CR9EK Standard Spark Plug
Denso U-Groove Spark Plugs
NGK V-Power Spark Plugs
Champion Copper Plus Spark Plug
Bosch Copper with Nickel Spark Plug
**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Via Amazon.com
NGK is a trusted name in the auto industry. NGK spark plugs are standard equipment in most modern Japanese, American, and European vehicles. But if all you need is a basic sparkplug for your subcompact or compact car, take a closer look at the NGK CR9EK Standard Spark Plug.
For starters, a set of these spark plugs will cost less than $35 for a four-cylinder motor. Now that's good value. But even though NGK calls this a standard spark plug, there is nothing ordinary about the construction and design of this plug.
The NGK CR9EK is equipped with a solid copper core to produce a bigger, lasting, and more reliable spark. It even comes with a longer insulator nose to prevent fouling. Dual ground electrodes will ensure a consistent spark each and every time, while the triple gasket seal ensures zero gas leakage.
Shop now at Amazon.com
Denso is also a revered name in the automotive landscape. Denso spark plugs are standard equipment in most Toyota. Lexus, Scion, and Subaru vehicles. You can literally choose a wide array of Denso spark plugs, but my favorite is still the original Denso U-Groove spark plugs.
For starters, this spark plug is engineered to deliver superior fuel economy and better throttle response. This is ensured courtesy of Denso's patented U-groove ground electrode that generates a larger spark at the point of ignition. The copper core center electrode is laser welded to ensure lasting performance.
However, the Denso U-Groove is a bit more costly than the NGK Standard Spark Plug, but not by much. But Denso claims the U-Groove is engineered to last twice as long as conventional spark plugs. Whether this is true or not depends on the type of vehicle and how the car is driven. But given Denso's reputation, it's hard not to believe that claim.
3. NGK V-Power Spark Plugs
If you demand better performance from an ordinary set of spark plugs, check out NGK V-Power. NGK specifically engineered the V-Power to be highly durable against chemical and electrical wear. The V-Power is a performance spark plug that improves engine pick-up and throttle response.
NGK V-Power is equipped with a trivalent metal plating to resist corrosion and seizure, even if the plugs are consistently exposed to punishing temperatures. If you want a set of performance spark plugs that offers greater ignitability, better fuel economy, and lower emissions without spending a lot of cash, NGK V-Power spark plugs are the best choice for your vehicle.
4. Champion Copper Plus Spark Plug
The great thing about the Champion Copper Plus spark plug is the affordable price. But in this case, cheap can definitely be cheerful. First, this spark plug is equipped with a solid copper core electrode to improve conductivity with lesser wear. The copper center electrode also offers accurate control of the heat range for longer service life.
In order to prevent corrosion and seizure, Champion fitted this spark plug with a patented Ultraseal coated shell. And to ensure maximum EMI and RFI suppression, this spark plug also comes with a patented SAC-9 semi-conductor resistor.
The Bosch Copper with Nickel Spark Plug is developed to deliver a longer service life compared to standard copper plugs. If ordinary spark plugs are worn out by 30,000 miles, this Bosch Copper with Nickel plug is engineered to last 40,000 or more miles depending on the type of application. Best of all, you'll only spend less than $40 for a set of four plugs.
The key features of the Bosch Copper with Nickel Spark Plug is the heavy-duty nickel center electrode. This ensures stronger and more reliable sparks for tens of thousands of miles. The tapered v-profile nickel chromium ground electrode will also improve cold starts and ignitability.
What makes Bosch spark plugs stand out is the premium construction and design. Even the most basic Bosch spark plug has a feel of solidity, which I like very much.
NGK 7090 BKR5EGP G-Power Spark Plug
Denso (4504) PK20TT Platinum TT Spark Plug
Bosch FR7NPP332 Double Platinum Spark Plug
1. NGK 7090 BKR5EGP G-Power Spark Plug
What makes NGK G-Power stand out from other high-performance spark plugs is the price. You'll only spend $13 for a pack of four NGK G-Power spark plugs. When NGK states the G-Power is the best platinum spark plug at an economical price, I believe them. I've been using G-Power for many years now and it never failed me, not even once.
Of course, even platinum spark plugs are not designed to last forever, although you can expect NGK G-Power to provide up to 50,000-miles of performance between changes. In some cases, platinum spark plugs can go for longer. But considering the price, spending less than $15 for a set of four platinum spark plugs every 50k miles is not a bad deal.
NGK G-Power spark plugs offer superior performance, lower emissions, and quicker starts. The ultra-fine 0.6mm laser welded platinum tip requires less voltage while still producing a consistent spark.
2. Denso (4504) PK20TT Platinum TT Spark Plug
The Denso Platinum TT is feature-packed for the price. Like the NGK G-Power, Denso Platinum TT offers a more affordable way to improve the performance of your vehicle. This spark plug is equipped with twin-tip technology. It comes with a 1.1mm platinum center electrode and 1.1mm titanium-enhanced ground electrode.
The result of all this is faster acceleration, reliable starting, and better fuel economy than a set of ordinary platinum spark plugs. Denso Platinum TT even comes with an insulator made from purified alumina powder to offer excellent thermal conductivity.
3. Bosch FR7NPP332 Double Platinum Spark Plug
Bosch claims the Double Platinum spark plug is engineered for up to 3x longer service life than their ordinary platinum spark plug. The laser-welded platinum inlay ground electrode and fine wire platinum firing pin are responsible for providing a strong and consistent spark even after tens of thousands of driving miles.
Look closer and you'll see the unique 360-degrees continuous laser weld that fuses the platinum firing pin to the base of the spark plug. This improves the reliability and corrosion-resistance characteristics of the spark plug. It even comes with a five-year performance satisfaction guarantee.
NGK 2667 BKR7EIX Iridium IX Spark Plug
Denso (4701) IK16TT Iridium TT Spark Plug
Bosch 9620 Double Iridium Pin to Pin Spark Plug
1. NGK 2667 BKR7EIX Iridium IX Spark Plug
There's no question iridium spark plugs are up to 3x more expensive than copper plugs. But with the NGK Iridium IX, your vehicle can enjoy the benefits of superior and lasting performance for less than $30 for a set of four iridium plugs.
NGK Iridium IX is equipped with an ultra-fine 0.6mm laser-welded fine iridium tip. It also comes with a tapered ground electrode to ensure the highest durability and most consistent spark at any engine speed. Iridium has the highest melting point compared to copper and platinum. This spark plug will consistently provide outstanding acceleration, durability, and better fuel economy.
2. Denso (4701) IK16TT Iridium TT Spark Plug
For all intents and purposes, Denso's Iridium TT is a bit more costly than NGK Iridium IX. However, it does come with more features and the promise of even better fuel economy and faster acceleration.
Denso Iridium TT features two tips: a 0.4mm iridium center electrode and a 0.7mm platinum ground electrode. This enables the spark plug to produce an omnidirectional explosion inside the combustion chamber. However, this simply means a bigger and more explosive spark that burns more of the air and fuel mixture. The result is more miles per gallon and better acceleration.
3. Bosch 9620 Double Iridium Pin to Pin Spark Plug
No iridium spark plug is more unique than the Bosch Double Iridium Pin to Pin. This spark plug is engineered to last up to 4x longer than copper and platinum spark plugs. It comes with a 0.6mm double iridium firing pin and ground electrode to effortlessly deliver better performance. This spark plug reduces the voltage requirement in your vehicle while still providing the most accurate and most powerful spark.
And if you were expecting this spark plug to cost an arm and a leg, prepare to be surprised. You'll only pay less than $35 for a pack of four spark plugs, which is less than what Denso is asking for the Iridium TT.
If you have a newer car with GDI or gasoline direct injection, look no further than the Bosch Double Iridium Pin to Pin spark plug. It even comes with a solid 7-years satisfaction guarantee for total peace of mind.
Most spark plugs come pre-gapped right out of the box. Despite this, it is still best to measure the spark plug gap before installing them. Refer to the vehicle owner's manual to know more.
Check out our choices for the best spark plug wire sets.
George Bradley
What Is Piston Slap, And Will It Harm My Car?
The Best Spark Plug Wire Sets For Your Vehicle
Things To Note About Car Engine Motor Oil
How To Clean And Unclog The Catalytic Converter In Your Car
George is an enthusiastic blogger and an auto mechanic expert whose mission is to provide the readers with the best tips, guides, and recent events in the automotive industry. He has been involved in researching on various topics that are essential to the car owners, especially when it comes to an understanding, maintaining and handling their vehicles.
When To Replace Spark Plugs: Watch Out For These Signs!
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NGK vs Denso: Which Is The Better Spark Plug?
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The MacMillan Estate is one of 12 Realms within Dead by Daylight .
The Realm consists of 5 Maps and is set in an industrial theme. The Realm's prominent colour palette is blue.
The MacMillan Estate was once the envy of even the most well pampered families. Now, it's only an ominous lot with nothing more than horrid memories of mercilessness in its purest form. The Foundry and Mine were the heart and centre of the estate. Those unlucky enough to be employed by Evan MacMillan after he assumed his father's work slowly started to slip away from all kinds of normal life. Wives asking for their husbands to come home. Work hours got longer, sometimes bridging day-to-day and pay was ever decreasing. Evan's iron hand and strict rules got tighter the longer he was in control. One afternoon, a large mining force was forbidden to leave and instructed to meet inside one of the deepest and unstable mine shafts instead. Objections were rewarded with a visit to the furnace. Questions and rumours arose in town. But no answers. One less worker, missed by maybe a poor widow wasn't enough for real actions.
Finally, Evan MacMillan had snapped and had sealed his workers in the mine, suffocating those who weren't crushed by the initial blast of explosives. Archie MacMillan's starved remains were later found. A silent skeleton with a taunting man-made grin upon his meatless skull. What's left of the Estate are now but mere ruins and myths. Teens enter the area from time to time in a game of dare, bringing back new information about what's happening at the Estate. Because somehow, things are moving. Leftover machinery keeps starting up. The gas gauge on the generator keeps decreasing.
Added new Map: Groaning Storehouse.
According to Benedict Baker's Journal, The MacMillan Estate was located in the town of Weeks near Wetherfield somewhere in America.
It is the place Benedict Baker started searching for the Entity's Realm.
In the Game files, the The MacMillan Estate Realm is being referred to under the name Industrial.


Farmers Helping Farmers is celebrating 35 years in 2015. Since 1980, the P.E.I. group has carried out several hundred development projects in both Kenya and Tanzania. Financial donations since 1980 exceed $10 million Canadian, including funds contributed by CIDA. These projects are estimated to have touched the lives of at least 100,000 people in East Africa.
You can also "like" Farmers Helping Farmers on Facebook.


text:
Home / Culture / Art / Video: Abraham Mateo & Sofía Reyes Join Voices With Their New Hit Latin Single "¿QUÉ HA PASAO'?
Art Entertainment Music
MIAMI (October 2, 2019) – Abraham Mateo shines through with his new hit single "¿Qué Ha Pasao'?" with the talented Latin Pop artist, Sofia Reyes. This song is part of Abraham's next studio album. The fusion of Latin sounds with Spanish folklore make Abraham Mateo's music uniquely sensational. Abraham and Sofia's joint their voices and make a perfect combination as they sing of a beautiful epic love story that unexpectedly came to an end.
"We made this song with special affection and I know they will love it. I feel grateful to be able to count on Sofia's talent on this album," said Abraham Mateo.
Singer, songwriter, producer and actor, Abraham Mateo is an integral artist who continues to evolve and impress his fans in different parts of the world. The power of his voice and the musical fusion he expresses in each of his songs have earned him a respected place on the music charts and the hearts of many, worldwide.


text:
HomeJudiciaryStrike balance between rights of staff and employers, both hit by lockdown:...
Strike balance between rights of staff and employers, both hit by lockdown: SC to govt
Supreme Court reserves order on a batch of petitions challenging the central government's 29 March order that asked companies to pay full wages during lockdown.
Bhadra Sinha
File photo of Supreme Court of India | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday restrained the central government from taking coercive action against employers who have not complied with the home ministry's 29 March notification to pay full salary to staff during lockdown.
The court reserved its order on a batch of petitions challenging the government order. A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, S.K. Kaul and M.R. Shah said it would pronounce verdict on 12 June.
During the hour-long hearing, held via video conference, the bench said the government must strike a balance between workers and employers because the Covid-19 lockdown has impacted both.
"The government can play the role of a facilitator. Negotiations can be done industry-wise. It may not be possible for employers to pay 100 per cent. There should be a practical solution," the bench observed.
On its part, the government said its notification was meant to stop workers from "migrating".
"People were migrating in crores. The notification was to stop the workers, which they would if they are paid," said Attorney General K.K. Venugopal.
While employers had challenged the central government's power to issue such a notification — with service agreements governed under the Industrial Disputes Act — the counsel appearing for workers said the government was within its right to issue such an order.
It was pointed out by the bench that the government had not invoked the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act while issuing the notification. Justice Kaul quoted the law to say: "Under the Act, workmen who are laid off are entitled to 50 per cent of total wages as compensation. But you (MHA) directed 100 per cent."
Venugopal cited the Disaster Management Act to argue that a National Executive Committee (NEC) can bring out such an order and has to ensure its compliance.
The court was urged not to intervene in the matter in view of the substantial public interest involved.
Also read: If Modi govt had followed this 2018 SC order, migrants wouldn't have had to flee the cities
'Order wasn't permanent, has been withdrawn'
The central government had Wednesday filed a written response to the petitions challenging its 29 March order on compulsory wage payment and said the notification was never a permanent measure and has been withdrawn.
The government clarified that the order was retracted after inputs received from experts to resume commercial operations, so that the burden to pay workers without operations is mitigated.
The government's affidavit further states that employers will now have to pay for 54 days, the period when the order was in operation. It also asks the top court to direct companies, citing financial inability, to place on record their audited account books.
During the hearing, Venugopal also said wage payment was a matter between employers and their staff.
Workers followed lockdown orders, can't be denied wages
Senior advocates, who intervened on behalf of workers, argued that no-work-no-pay principle cannot be applied during the lockdown period. Advocate Indira Jaising said workers did not want to defy the lockdown orders, they were willing to work but were unable due to the restrictions.
"Who is the affected community? They (migrants) are those who were prevented from eating with no roof on their head. Ask them (employers) about their financial liability," she said.
Senior advocate C.U. Singh also argued on behalf of a workers' organisation and said: "If they have means, why should Supreme Court under Article 32 be called upon to interfere? As of now no prosecution has been initiated against any employer."
The senior lawyers opposed the court's suggestion to use Employees State Insurance (ESI) funds to help workers and insisted that it cannot be redirected.
Also read: SC can't 'monitor' walking migrants, but 12 HCs have issued orders on food and shelter
Notification compels companies to pay full wage: SC
When the petitioners requested for the notification to not be mandatory in nature and restrict it to being an advisory, the Supreme Court wondered if the government could compel employers to pay.
"Your notification compelled the payment of 100 per cent of salaries…it can be around 50 to 75 per cent. So, the question is, do you have the power to get them to pay 100 per cent, and on their failure to do so, prosecute them?" Justice Bhushan asked Venugopal.
Venugopal asked the bench to consider the situation on humanitarian grounds, the purpose for which the notification was brought in.
At this, the bench suggested the employers to negotiate with their employees but the firms responded by saying that the notification disallowed such settlement talks.
"The order threatens prosecution, making it hard for us to get them (workers) to a conciliation," said senior advocate K.V. Vishwanathan, appearing for a firm.
"You tell us, can you run an industry without labour? Therefore, you have to strike a balance and this should not be tilted either on the side of the employer or the employee," remarked Justice Shah.
Also read: 'How long will people sustain?' SC issues notice on plea against media layoffs
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Davood Moradian - 27 January, 2022
'Would've accepted if given 10 years ago': Tabla maestro Anindo Chatterjee declines Padma Shri
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text:
Digital Opportunities
Quality Internships
Internship for learners of Hungarian as a foreign language
Business Studies and/or Management Science, Languages and Philological Sciences
TrM Translations
1 Jan, 2020 to 1 Sep, 2020
TrM Translations (www.trmtranslations.com) has an opening for an intern in Budapest, as part of the Erasmus programme, for a period of three to six months and weekly 30-40 hours from July 2019 until December 2019. TrM Translation's mission is to become a foreign language communication partner our clients can fully rely on. As part of our internship programme, our interns can get an insight into many areas of the operation of a translation agency including translation and revision, recruitment of and interacting with freelancers, project management, client acquisition and sales, as well as invoicing and collecting. Requirements:- Erasmus internship
- Linguistic / translation studies OR business studies
- Good command of English
- Students of Hungarian as a foreign language are welcome Learn what our previous interns had to say:"I was an intern at TrM Translations for 3 months and I loved it! Not only could I get a look behind the scenes of the workings of a translation agency, but I could even be actively involved in the processes and make my own contribution. I got to learn and do something new almost every day and was able to apply the skills I had acquired at university in a real-life setting. Working at TrM Translations was not only an enriching experience, but also a lot of fun. My colleagues made me feel right at home and I am proud to say that I could be part of the team for a little while."
- Nadine P., Austria (2018) "My internship at TrM Translations was absolutely helpful. I've learnt many aspects related to the translation business I really didn't expect having studied translation just from a linguistic point of view. As a matter of fact, translating concerns also IT, legal and business issues that every future translator should be aware of, and I am now thankful for the willingness of Istvan and his patient collegues. In addition, you will also find people ready to help you and join you in everyday life outside the office. I strongly recommend you this internship in the gorgeous city of Budapest in order to get deep into the translation business. Trust me, you won't just do photocopies while on the job :)"
Anastasia G., Italy (2018) "I had a great time working at TrM Translations. As my first working experience, I've learned a lot of useful things about the translation business, as well to be part of a team. The working environment was very calm and positive, the colleagues were very helpful. In addition, I've become more responsible as a person. I think this internship is a great start for a career into translations."
Simona K., Bulgaria (2017) Please apply directly through the Erasmus+ interface. Link to our Privacy Notice: https://www.trmtranslations.com/privacy
No financial compensation
https://www.trmtranslations.com
Please apply directly through the Erasmus+ interface. Link to our Privacy Notice: https://www.trmtranslations.com/privacy
English: Proficient User C1
Hungarian: Independent User B1
Level of Studies:
ErasmusIntern.org is a web platform where companies and organisations can offer their internship vacancies to individuals seeking international opportunities. ErasmusIntern is a project of the Erasmus Student Network.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This website reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
ESN International Copyright © 2020


re in your IEP and refused Part B or did not sign up … Your Medicare Number.
Information . …. F.3.3 Enrollment Transaction (TC 61) Detailed Record Layout .
BIC card to determine eligibility? a. Eligibility b. Share of Cost (SOC) ….
Guidelines for Billing (other guide) section of the Part 1 provider manual.
Medicare enrollment and entitlement and Medicare Secondary. Payment data; b.
… insurance (Part A) or medical insurance (Part B) of the Medicare program. 2.
one- or two-character code that identifies the type of social.
apply for … for Medicare. Code. Identification. A. Primary claimant (wage earner).
Identification Code (BIC) o The BIC (such as … Part B and Part D premiums.
letter, e-mail, CD, Whats App, ….. code, BIC or SWIFT code etc. details).
Application Analyst. REGULATORY AFFAIRS. Janet B. Thoren.
making where … Total FY17 Spend – $465B │FY17 common spend – $303B.
to its Medicare enrollment information …… Equitable BIC HICN.
should drive agencies' planning for ….. "Best in Class" (BIC).
Jun 1, 2018 … 2018 PayNet. Confidential. … Added new requirement for admission to RENTAS.
messages to …… Part B –System Access Control Administrator.
issued under the Global LEI System, BIC issued by SWIFT under ISO.
Published by Security Watchdog, (part of Capita plc) on behalf of the Centre …..
Plans are underway to introduce an online application process before. 2018. 16.
over any part of such Country, ….. SWIFT Code/BIC: WFBIUS6S.


What's not to like about this chocolate fudge donut recipe!
In a small saucepan, combine the butter, erythritol, cocoa and coffee granules. Stir constantly over medium-high until mixture is smooth and erythritol is completely dissolve. Remove from heat. Stir in water, vanilla extract and stevia. Let cool until just warm, then stir in the egg. Set aside.
Sift coconut flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and xanthan gum into a mixing bowl. Pour in wet ingredients and stir until smooth. Transfer to a baggy, cut off the corner. Pipe equally into 5 wells of sprayed donut pan. Bake at 375° for 8 minutes. Turn out onto cooling rack and let cool slightly.
In a small saucepan, combine 1 T butter, erythritol and corn syrup. Over medium-high, stir until bubbly and smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining tablespoon of butter. Let cool. Transfer to baggy, set aside.
Cut a corner off of the baggy of peanut butter frosting. Pipe onto donuts. Cut the corner off if the baggy of caramel. Drizzle over donuts.


I hope that you are enjoying your summer so far. When I think of summer fun I immediately think of swimming at the pool, riding bikes, and playing outdoors. While we love all those fun activities, there is often a lot of relaxing downtime as well. With no school and limited schedules sometimes the "I'm bored moments" hit. Today, we've got a fun Printable Summer Activity Pack that is perfect for those bored moments, car trips, or just some good low key ole' fashioned fun.
This activity pack contains 10 pages which include a crossword, word search, coloring page, dot 2 dots, sudoku, mazes, the box game, box drawing, and tic tac toe.
This pack contains activities for kids of all ages and is so fun to pull out on a rainy day. Often times my son immediately gravitates toward electronics which is fine in moderation, but I think a fun brain activity is a great alternative. Plus we like to travel during the summer and these make great boredom busters while you travel. You can download the entire Summer Fun Activity Pack at the bottom of the post.
We are several weeks into break now, and we like to spend a lot of time together as a family riding bikes to the park or even staying up late playing board games. We also love to travel and visit our extended family. It is always fun to get the cousins together to play. I hope you are having a fabulous summer so far and I'd love to know what your favorite summertime activities are.
This activity book would be perfect to keep the kids busy during down time, or even in the car on road trips!
Thank you so much for sharing Marie!!
For more awesome ideas from her, head over to Blooming Homestead!
For all printables here on Lil' Luna, go HERE.
Cool. I like it. It is verry nice. Thank you.


Over the years , i have built up quite a collection of my favourite art from the deviant website, if you didn already know about it , heres a small intro courtesy of Wiki because in a nutshell, you bleddie well shud hav heard about em by now !
23 Jun	This entry was published on June 23, 2011 at 1:33 PM and is filed under Uncategorized.	Bookmark the permalink.	Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.


On 31 May, Barack Hussein Obama announced that he had exchanged five of the most dangerous Taliban detainees at Guantanamo Bay for the return of an America-hating Army deserter, "Sergeant" Bowe Bergdahl, who has been held (or, as many military forward operators say, "hosted") by the Taliban-Haqqani network for five years. This trade is yet another Obama political charade, this one to divert attention from his VA "death panel" scandal and his highly politicized Memorial Day and West Point commencement remarks, which were panned from Left to Right.
Remarkably, Obama and his deluded handlers believed this appalling exchange would be a checkmark in the Democrat Party's political plus column. So certain were they that in late 2013, when the CIA had developed a plan to pay off Pakistani officials connected to the Taliban in order to gain release of Bergdahl, the Obama administration advised the CIA to put that plan on hold because the administration had another "deal" in the works. Of course, the price of Obama's swap deal was much higher than anything proposed by the CIA. Eventually, when it is determined that some of those terrorists have returned to the killing fields — and that time will come — their victims, particularly any American or allied deaths, will be hung around Obama's neck.
I offer three strenuous objections to this odious political charade.
First, Obama violated the legal requirement that the Executive Branch give Congress 30 days notice on any negotiated release of a Gitmo prisoner. Obama claimed his executive prerogative superseded the requirement, and claimed his "signing statement" at the time this requirement was made part of the 2013 Defense Authorization Act, was his bypass authority.
Of course, such BIG Lies are Obama's trademark.
Knowing that his plan would be DOA if he complied with congressional notification requirements, Obama claims that he had to act immediately because of concern for Bergdahls physical health. However, in this Afghan video of Bergdahl's release, he appears to be in decent health.
My second objection is much more grievous.
Obama also violated a long-standing policy of not negotiating swaps with terrorists (at least publicly), thereby setting a very dangerous precedent now painting a dollar sign on the back of any American, military or civilian, who can be kidnapped by an Islamist group. Additionally, he spit on the graves of those who gave their lives to capture the "Taliban Five," and those who died attempting to recover Bergdahl after he deserted in 2009.
Let's do the math. If Bergdahl is worth five of the most dangerous Taliban terrorists, then what would an American soldier, who had served our nation "with distinction and honor," be worth? And as U.S. forces withdraw from Afghanistan, their Gitmo exchange ransom becomes much higher.
Of course, Feinstein and the rest of the Democrat pack are seeking political asylum from the political fallout from Obama's profoundly dangerous folly. They know that any terrorist act even loosely linked to the Taliban Five, or any American kidnapped for a Gitmo ransom, will be hung around Obama's neck, and by extension, all his Demo congressional supporters. This extension is irrevocable because Obama will make no apology for this "deal" — delusional case studies of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, are certain that they are the final arbiter of all wisdom, and don't apologize.
So, what did we get in return for the Taliban Five? That would be my third objection.
Bowe Bergdahl, son of Idaho "flower children" Bob and Jani Bergdahl, was a pampered kid, whose major achievements were obtaining his GED and excelling at the Sun Valley Ballet School. He admired the exploits of Bear Grylls, a former British Special Forces operator and the star of the television series Man vs. Wild. Bergdahl had a Walter Mitty sense of reality, even attempting to join the French Foreign Legion — but was rejected. For reasons clearly not associated with a "patriotic love of country," Bergdahl joined the Army.
The mainstream media reports on Bergdahl mostly parrot this assessment from the editors of The Wall Street Journal: "The return of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl from the clutches of the Taliban is cause for relief for his family and all Americans." That's a fair assessment on the first count, but in the opinion of most who knew Bergdahl and the circumstances in Afghanistan, the only "relief" will come once he is tried as a deserter, an enemy sympathizer, and, some say, a traitor.
Disgracefully, virtually all Leftmedia talkingheads and print outlets are referring to Bergdahl as "Sergeant," as did the WSJ editors. They should cease and desist, because his promotion from PFC to Sergeant after his desertion will not stand.
When and how was PFC Bergdahl promoted to Sergeant?
Gearing up for the 2012 presidential election, Obama's handlers estimated that they would firm up his peacenik and military family support if he could arrange the return of PFC Bergdahl. In 2011 Obama's campaign first proposed to exchange the Taliban Five for Bergdahl, even though DoD communications in 2010 clearly indicated he was a deserter.
However, it is not clear how the Army officially classified Bergdahl. Based on all accounts from those in Bergdahl's infantry company, his status should have been AWL (Absent Without Leave). But his status could have been MISCAP (Missing in Action and Captured). If Bergdahl was classified as captured (POW), he would have received rank promotions due.
Headlines in The Washington Post and The New York Times allude to "mixed reactions" about Bergdahl's release. But there are no mixed reactions among those whom he betrayed when he deserted his combat post.
Three days later, Bergdahl deserted his post under cover of darkness, carrying with him a knife, a compass, a camera, a diary and some water. Shortly thereafter, he was "captured" by the Taliban, though the DoD never classified him as a POW. A few months later, Paktika Taliban commander Haji Nadeem reported that Bergdahl had converted to Islam, and, according to Afghan sources, was instructing Taliban units on American military tactics to assist their ambush capabilities.
For the record, the six Americans who lost their lives in operations to recover this "POS" have also "missed birthdays and holidays and the simple moments with family and friends." Their names are PFC Matthew Michael Martinek, Staff Sgt. Kurt Robert Curtiss, SSG Clayton Bowen, PFC Morris Walker, SSG Michael Chance Murphrey and 2LT Darryn Andrews.
Obama said, "We don't leave men and women in uniform behind." Well, no, we don't — unless you are referring to those who have deserted their units.
And on the subject of abandoning "men and women in uniform," tell that to the families of our dead in Benghazi, or all the veterans who died waiting on medical care from the VA.
Well, this American, for one, isn't falling for Obama's attempt to make Bergdahl his poster child for Operation Enduring Freedom, and what's left of our campaign to thwart jihadi terrorists.
Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, claims, "He served the United States with honor and distinction." That absurd statement holds even less water than her claims about the Benghazi murders resulting from a YouTube video. Rice is a lying moron.
Jay Carney claims, "Sgt. Bergdahl put on the uniform of United States voluntarily and went to war for the United States voluntarily." And by all accounts, he is a voluptuary deserter. Carney is also a lying moron.
Bottom line, this not a case of a POW with "Stockholm Syndrome," though clearly Bergdahl was and remains a pathetic and delusional individual. Thus, I have a level of compassion for him — but then I am not among those whose brothers in arms died looking for Bergdahl. And no matter, even if he was deep cover for the CIA in the Taliban, we should have paid the Pakistanis for his release rather than trade the Taliban Five.
By paying such a high price for Bergdahl, Obama has offended the honor of every Uniformed Patriot, especially the memory of those now departed.
But Obama is, first and foremost, interested in emptying Guantanamo.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey says that the Army "will not look away from misconduct," but will they "look into misconduct"? For the record, Article 85 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice states, "Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct." Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, welcomes you home, PFC Bergdahl.
Footnote: Now in full damage control mode, Obama says, "Regardless of the circumstances, whatever those circumstances may turn out to be, we still get an American soldier back if he's held in captivity. Period." (Ah, yes, when Obama declares a "period," you know it's the truth, as in "Keep your doctor. Period. Keep your health care plan. Period.") It is time for a senior military officer to step forward and tender his resignation in objection to this this exchange (and all the other grievous insults Obama has bestowed upon our men and women in uniform), risking his pension and possibly UCMJ charges. Where are the generals?


But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.


text:
"""The module with different helpers for CA rules."""
import re

class LifeLike:
    """Life-like rules helpers."""

    @staticmethod
    def golly2int(golly_str):
        """
        Convert a string in the Golly format to inner rule representation.

        :param golly_str: Rule in the Golly format (e.g. B3/S23)

        :returns: Integer representation of the rule for inner use.

        """
        born, sus = re.sub("[^0-9/]", "", golly_str).split("/", 1)
        born_rule = sum((1 << int(i)) for i in born)
        sustained_rule = sum((1 << (int(i) + 9)) for i in sus)
        return sustained_rule + born_rule

    @staticmethod
    def int2golly(rule):
        """
        Convert inner rule representation to string in the Golly format.

        :param rule: Integer representation of the rule.

        :returns: Golly-formatted rule (e.g. B3/S23).

        """
        sustained_rule = (rule >> 9) & 0b111111111
        born_rule = rule & 0b111111111
        sus = ''.join((str(i) * ((sustained_rule >> i) & 1)) for i in range(9))
        born = ''.join((str(i) * ((born_rule >> i) & 1)) for i in range(9))
        return "B%s/S%s" % (born, sus)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub