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RACE: HIVER
Despite appearances and social organization, Hivers are not "insects" in the physical sense. They range from 40 to 400 kg in mass and 80 to 500 centimeters in height. They do have six limbs, but the upper four are equipped with opposable digits. Most Hivers have a pair of wings on the dorsal surface of their bodies, but these are vestigial and useless for flight.
A Hiver's body is partially covered with chitin, but the shell is not an exo-skeleton. Hivers have an interior skeleton, a full array of internal organs and a circulatory system similar to that of a terrestrial bird or mammal. The chitin is not used for tissue support; it is adapted to serve them as armor. A Hiver's chitinous body shell is light, dense, and highly resistant to heat, cold and radiation. The colors and patterns of a Hiver's body also convey a great deal of social information to other Hivers.
The Hiver species is divided into three physical and social classes: the Worker, the Warrior, and the Royal. All three classes are very different from one another, and might almost appear to be different species to the casual observer. A Worker looks, thinks and behaves so much differently than a Warrior or a Royal Hiver that it is sometimes difficult to believe that all three could have hatched from the same cluster of eggs!
In space, Hivers tend to live and move in large family groups. All of the members of any given Hiver fleet are usually related to one another by birth.
HIVER WORKERS
Post by Erinys » Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:32 am
K'en, or Workers, are the most common type of Hiver, making up around 70% of the species. The average height of a Hiver Worker is 120 centimeters, and they generally mass 45-70 kg at most. Workers do not have sexual organs or any psychological quirks related to breeding, but they are intelligent, sensitive and curious, and as prone to be interested in art, science and culture as the average member of any other sentient species.
The vast majority of Hiver art and literature is created by Workers, and they also make up the vast majority of Hivers engaged in scientific, technical and academic fields.
Workers can pursue almost any occupation in their society, and can even become spacer. They fill the ranks in all walks of life, from merchants and street-sweepers to architects, farmers, doctors and priests. Regardless of what profession they pursue, however, the efforts of any given Worker are always directed to one purpose: to strengthen, protect, unify or glorify its family, and serve the interests of its Mother.
In the Hiver language, a Worker is known as a khe'k, or "Hand". It is considered impolite for non-Workers to address a Worker with this word, however. Those addressing a Worker politely will simply call him "brother",as they would any other Hiver.
HIVER WARRIORS
Ri', or Warriors, are the second most common type of Hiver, making up around 25% of the species. Of all Hivers, the Warriors have the largest variety, when it comes to superficial physical appearances. They can range from 50 centimeters to 250 centimeters in height, and may have hyper-light bodies or massive armored frames. They also sport a wide variety of chitin adaptations, including markings which may be extremely colorful or subtle camouflage in any kind of terrain.
Warriors are generally born to serve a specific function. They are tailored during gestation to perform a specific task as adults. Various features of the Warrior are subject to change: size, strength, toughness and thickness of its shell, resistance to radiation and extremes of heat and cold. Some Warriors are even adapted to be able to withstand vacuum, for limited periods of time.
Warriors are generally engaged in high-casualty professions. Deep-sea diving, mining, arctic exploration and toxic waste disposal are all generally handled by Warriors, as are other tasks involving similar levels of personal risk. Accordingly it is no accident that Warriors, although rare in Hiver society at large, make up a disproportionate percentage of personnel aboard space-faring vessels.
Warriors do not have sexual organs, but their bodies produce a powerful array of hormones, making them far more prone to aggression, ambition, and powerful mood swings. Their interactions are also more insular than those of any other Hiver class. Warriors often form secret societies, join dueling academies or participate in athletic contests to channel their aggression. They tend to receive less formal education than Workers do, but far more vocational and martial training.
Like Workers, Warrior bugs are loyal to their families, but they are often fanatically obedient to their Mothers. Aware from earliest childhood that they have been born to die for their clans, they consider it their honor and privilege to do so.
In the Hiver language, a Warrior is addressed as ri'k, or "Blade". Warriors do not consider this term impolite or offensive. For example, many Warriors perform cultic rites to honor the legendary hero "Ri'zokis", whose name can be translated simultaneously as "Beloved Blades", "Immortal Blades", or "A Mother's Blades".
HIVER ROYALS
The ruling elite of Hiver society are members of the Tcho class, the Royals. Royal Hivers are reproductively viable, and biologically either male or female. A male is called a Prince, and a female Hiver is either a Princess or a Queen.
A Hiver Princess is the absolute ruler and reason-for-being of any Hiver clan. Her Workers and Warriors will be loyal to the death, and devote themselves to her welfare for the entirety of their lives. These Workers and Warriors are simultaneously her children, her employees, her servants, her subjects and her zealous cult of personality.
A Princess is many times larger than a standard Hiver. Depending on her care and feeding, she can grow to a height of 400 centimeters and mass nearly 400 kg. Her wings and chitin are largely ornamental, and often will be cut or painted to enhance her natural beauty. Her most dramatic features, beyond her size and her large wings, are her crest and antenna, which are typically very beautifully and carefully shaped over her lifetime to enhance her beauty.
A Hiver princess can produce any number of Hiver eggs, especially if she has regular access to a male. The eggs she produces are largely generic when they leave her body; it is the care she gives them during infancy that determines their futures. Variations of light, heat and nutrition will produce a variety of changes in the developing Hiver, allowing its mother to not only determine whether the resulting offspring will be a worker, a warrior, or a breeder, but to assign it a number of other physical and mental characteristics.
The one thing a Hiver princess CANNOT do is reproduce herself. Although she can create any number of workers, warriors and male breeders, no princess can lay an egg which will develop into another princess. The power and privilege of birthing female Hivers is reserved for their High Queen—a nigh-mystical and legendary Princess who rules the entire species from the Hiver homeworld.
Hiver Princes are similar to their female counterparts, although smaller. They average around 350 centimeters in height and mass in the neighborhood of 250 kg, although some can be much larger. Physically speaking, they can recognized by their size, the extremely bright colors of their chitin, the length and strength of their wings, and the sharp, Warrior-like projections on the second pair of limbs—the so-called "dueling blades".
Socially speaking, a Prince is a free agent. Unlike the Warriors and Workers of his family, his devotion to any one female is not ingrained at birth. The reasons for this are obvious; a female Hiver generally seek out males which are NOT her own sons, for breeding purposes. Although a Hiver Princess can reproduce with males hatched out her own eggs, if given no other option, this practice would quickly lead to stagnation, both socially and genetically, if it were common-place.
Princes are the only Hivers who are socially and psychologically capable of moving from clan to another at will. They are more self-interested than any other class of Hiver, with far weaker attachments to their mothers and families of origin than would be normal in a Worker or a Warrior. A Prince's chief loyalty is to himself, his breeding partner, and to his children from ALL previous relationships.
Highly competitive, career-oriented and motivated to succeed, Princes seek out positions of authority and opportunities to lead, perform in public, or otherwise draw attention to themselves. A Prince's ability to draw attention to himself and his achievements makes him a desirable mate, and puts a premium on his services.
Since heredity in a Hiver is based 60% on the contribution of the male, a Prince who is cunning, strong, gifted or beautiful can become a prize that many Hives will vie to win. Savage wars have been fought over the kidnapping or defection of a valuable Prince.
THE HIVER QUEEN
A Hiver Queen is a female who has reached the final stage of sexual maturity, and is capable of giving life to female children. Due to modern cultural practices, there is now only one Queen at a time, which provides the Hiver race with a certain amount of political stability. Because the Queen is a unique personage, and because Her fecundity is the wellspring of new clans and new life, She is given the title Tcho Zok'anin, Greatmother.
In times past, any Hiver Princess was capable of becoming a Queen if kept in isolation. In general this is why Hivers refer to their own prehistory and early history as The Warring Queens Period, and it also helps to explain why it remains possible for rival Queens to rise, if rebel Princesses cannot be kept in line.
Today, the Queen maintains Her authority by transmitting Her pheromones to all other Hiver females on a regular basis. These scent chemicals inhibit sexual development of other females, and thus keep the biological and political ambitions of potential rivals in check. The Queen does not have to visit Her subjects personally in order to transmit Her inhibiting scent: Her sons can also carry the pheromones, and a single visit from a Hiver diplomatic envoy can stunt the maturity of another Princess for decades--even as long as a century, if the Queen is particularly strong. Receiving the Queen's scent is a ritual oath of fealty, and it is accompanied by some ceremony. Although the mere presence of the Queen or Her representative is more than sufficient, it is a gesture of good faith for the Princess to accept a silken banner which had passed through the Queen's hands.
The status of Queen is typically passed to a Princess through the Crown Jewels, a set of crystalline organs which are a natural part of the Queen's body. By consuming these Jewels, a Princess can rapidly develop into a Queen within days. Needless to say, the Jewels have great religious, political and biological significance to the Hiver people. The loss of Queen Immaculate Pearl and Her Crown Jewels is still held against the Tarka in some circles, and some Hivers believe that even now, not all of the former Queen's Crown Jewels have been returned.
WAR, DEATH AND THE ZO'KAN CEREMONY
Wars are common among Hivers, even at the best of times. The Hiver military impulse is generally driven by population pressure or the urge for supremacy. Because each Hiver princess can produce countless offspring per year, the population of Hivers in any one place can spike very quickly, leading to intense competition for space and resources. A clan under such pressure has few options. Typically they can cull their own population, or eliminate the competition.
Although there are more than 30 words for "suicide" in the Hiver language, many Hiver families choose to go on the warpath rather than institute any other population control measure. Wars of this kind are grim and brutal battles-to-death, in which the full time and resources of all clan members are devoted to destroying the enemy clan and its Princess.
Occasionally an ambitious Princess still takes it into her head to become the Queen, even today. The global wars of dominion recorded in Hiver history are many, and some have assumed legendary status over time. The destruction and loss of life associated with a battle for the throne often left the planet almost completely depopulated in the past, with only a few exhausted clans left alive in the rubble. In the Gate Age, the violence and loss of life can be even more devastating.
Due to the quirks of Hiver physiology, however, death is not necessarily the end of a Hiver's life. A great deal of short and long-term memory is stored in crystalline form in a Hiver's brain case, and these chemicals can be extracted intact for days and even months or years after death. With the help of a Princess or Queen, who passes these chemicals through her own digestive tract, the memory of the fallen Hiver can be re-born in a freshly laid egg. The result is a new Hiver which has many of the memories, skills and experiences of the Hiver who died. Such a Hiver is called a "zok'an", "a Beloved"--the word also carries connotations of immortality and re-birth. Once re-born, a Hiver is entitled to add the infix "zok" to his or her name. Examples include the legendary Hiver warrior "Rizokis", "Beloved Blades", or the contemporary Hiver Prince "Chezokin", also known as Chezokin the Thrice-Born.
This form of limited reincarnation is central to the spiritual beliefs of the Hiver population, who conceive of the Divine as a female Hiver, constantly devouring and renewing the universe. It is also very useful in preserving valuable skills, and giving Hivers access to information which would otherwise be lost.
Occasionally, however, this practice has led to unfortunate incidents. Hivers exposed to a lethal plague can be carried back to a Princess or Queen for renewal, resulting in a predictable disaster for all.
HIVER LANGUAGES
Full literacy for a Hiver requires the mastery of three written languages: K'en-k'en, Ri'kap-ken, and Tcho'to-ken. The majority of Hivers can only read and write in K'en-k'en, while military Hivers, historians and scholars must also learn Ri'kap'ken. Tcho'to-ken is an art form, the Hiver version of calligraphy painting. Royals and fine artists often write poetry, personal letters and diaries in Tcho'to-ken form, using perfumed scrolls and inks which add to the meaning of the finished piece.
The Children employ combinations of pictorial symbols as writing in all three languages. Those of K'en-k'en are the most straightforward and easiest to learn, and correspond to a relatively simple alphabet. K'en-k'en is a phonetic language which represents all words as combinations of sounds, smells and colors. It is written and read from top to bottom, from the upper right to the bottom left.
Ri'kap-ken is the written language with the oldest history among the Hivers, and derives from one of the oldest Hiver language groupings. It employs complex symbols as whole words, and combinations of symbols as sentences or thoughts. The arrangement of the same symbols in different configurations can change the meaning of a word drastically, as when "ally" becomes "enemy" by placing a single stroke in a different position.
Both of the former languages can be reproduced relatively easily by printing presses and abstracted easily by computer screens. Tcho'to-ken pieces, however, are works of fine art. Even other races have been known to try to collect them when they can. When the Hiver Armistice was signed, the Director of Sol Force was given the gift of a folding screen made from Hiver "papyrus". It had been painted by a royal artist with a Tcho'to-ken poem. In the two years that followed, the slow curation of the inks and dyes released a different fragrance every day. The screen still stands in the Director's office in MarsDome, a symbol of continuing fellowship with the Hiver people.
LEARNING TO SPEAK HIVER
Post by Erinys » Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:42 pm
Although it can be difficult to imitate the many of the sounds produced by Hiver mouthparts, in particular the voiceless slides and clicks which are produced by rubbing Hiver mouth parts together, there are an abundance of hand-held tools which can help non-Hivers to communicate verbally. A pair of wooden castanets can produce most of the percussive clicks used by Hivers in daily life, and a metal blade can reproduce the slides. During the early days of war and parley between the Hivers and the Tarka, Tarkasian generals sometimes punctuated their words by sliding a blade in and out of the sheathe. The combination of sound and gesture proved very effective in getting the points across.
For Human, Tarka, and Morrigi speakers, K'en-k'en is the easiest Hiver language to learn to read and write. The symbols are standardized, systematic, phonetic, and derive directly from K'en-k'en as it is spoken by billions. It takes a bit more dedication to learn to read Ri'kap-ken, as there are subtleties of positioning and arrangement on negative space which can be elusive without a good deal of experience. Even among Hivers, it is rare to master Ri'kap-ken before the age of 10 cycles or so.
Writing effectively in Tcho'to-ken as a non-native speaker is much harder than either of the standard Hiver writing forms, but in some ways it is easier to read than either of the others. The sweep of the brush, the interplay of color and the perfumes of ink and paper speak to the spirit as well as the mind. A sensitive person will often receive the essence of a message whether the words are consciously understood or not. The fact that Tcho'to-ken glyphs are often combined with illustrations also helps.
HIVER LITERATURE
Hivers produce a wide array of literary forms, including fictions of varying length, poems, plays and songs. Different types of Hiver literature are produced by and for different castes, and thus are traditionally written and published in different languages.
Drama, journalism, philosophy, scientific and religious treatises, legal documents and accounting records are typically written by and for Workers. History began among the Children with military history, and thus is traditionally associated with the Warrior caste, and written in their language. Warriors are also the chief patrons of many highly respected and very ancient lyrical arts. Operas, odes, elegies, battle hymns, processionals, and songs of victory or intoxication are also sung and written in Ri'kap-ken.
Paeans, the hymns of praise for Mother, Father, Queen or Goddess, are typically written and performed in Tcho'to-ken, the language of Hiver royals. Poetry, calligraphy and illustrative art are often combined when composing in Tcho'to-ken.
Humans occasionally touch a chord of the Hiver soul with their written works. Hiver language translations of classic human poetry are popular, including the Song of Solomon, which has been a favourite with the Hiver masses for many decades. Shir Hashirim was re-titled The Courting Song, and a popular novel of the same title was published in 2489 (Human CE). The tempestuous love affair between the White Prince Zol'o-men and his beloved mate, the Black Rose of Tza-ron, has been read by billions.
The popularity of both the poem and the novel has created a great demand for rare organics from Human colonies. Many Hivers will pay very high prices for resins and oils derived from cedar, cypress, henna, myrrh, rose, apple or fig, which are celebrated in the original poem.
Another Human classic which has achieved great renown among Hivers is Hamlet, a play by William Shakespeare. The Hiver translation of the play, titled Chekazin, Prince of the Northland, found a receptive audience among Hivers of all castes, and has been performed annually by Hiver dramatic troupes for many years. The protagonist, Chekazin (Humble Village), delivers the famous soliloquy as follows:
Whether my existence should continue is now a subject of debate.
I am wondering if I will do best to accept pain
Battered by the stones and pierced by the bolts
Which the Divine has measured out as my ration,
Or whether I must unsheathe my Princely blades
And duel with the universe Herself.
Scirch
Re: HIVER ROYALS
Post by Scirch » Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:09 am
The Hiver soliloquy is strangely beautiful...it makes me want to see the play acted out by Hivers rather than humans
Erinys wrote: Since heredity in a Hiver is based 60% on the contribution of the male, a Prince who is cunning, strong, gifted or beautiful can become a prize that many Hives will vie to win. Savage wars have been fought over the kidnapping or defection of a valuable Prince.
This got me wondering; how do the Hivers view the story of Helen of Troy? Does it strike a chord with them, or is such subject matter viewed as common and somewhat mundane?
Also, on another note, how has the Hiver view of humans changed over the past century? Has the Zuul War brought them closer than before, or do humans and Hivers still regard each other with a mixture of fear and resentment?
When one makes something fool-proof, they inevitably fail to take into account the ingenuity of fools.
Post by Erinys » Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:15 am
Scirch wrote: This got me wondering; how do the Hivers view the story of Helen of Troy?
It would make perfect sense if Helen was a Royal male.
Hivers and Humans will always have a certain amount of antipathy, and Hivers have long memories for harm done. The common enemies and problems of the Zuul War brought the two empires closer together, but the Via Damasco outbreak chilled relations considerably, and once the S.F.S. Leviathan visits Hiver space...
...it will be winter.
Post by twentypence » Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:25 am
Erinys wrote: and once the S.F.S. Leviathan visits Hiver space...
Oh... didn't realise that's that the Horde were doing with it...
Re: RACE: HIVER
Post by nighthaunt » Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:59 pm
most un-Zuul like - to use a stolen ship to masquerade as sol force and attack in an effort to destabalise relations between the empires.
Or is it just that the Zuul will use the ZHS Leviathon as a clearly Zuul ship, and the Hiver's will blame humans for creating it, and losing it to the Zuul?
The collected forum saying of the Prophet - the Mecronomicon
Allattar wrote: The princes grow worried and the princesses stir with irritation. They feel you either lack gravitas or are just plain insane. Might we suggest you stop before they rebel?
Post by Ryoku » Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:25 pm
Something I've always wondered is whether Hiver workers have any kind of money, or is all activity within a clan done in a communal sense, and money is reserved for inter-clan trade?
Post by Scirch » Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:48 pm
Thanks for the answer, Erinys
The Suul'ka just got even scarier to me...which I thought to be impossible
nighthaunt wrote: :shock: most un-Zuul like - to use a stolen ship to masquerade as sol force and attack in an effort to destabalise relations between the empires.
UnZuul-like, yes. Un-Suul'ka like? Maybe not


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Hearing Aids Can Mean Fewer Emergency Department Visits
Hearing Aids Can Mean Fewer Hospital Visits
A study finds new benefits for people with hearing loss who use the devices
by Christina Ianzito, April 27, 2018 | Comments: 0
Rawpixel/Getty Images
People with hearing loss who use hearing aids can hear better, and they can communicate more effectively with their physicians, researchers say.
Among people with serious hearing loss, those who use hearing aids are less likely to go to the hospital or emergency department, and when they do go, their stays are on average a half day shorter.
The new study from the University of Michigan, which was published online in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery on Thursday, also found that hearing-aid users are more likely to visit their doctors for nonemergency appointments.
But more doctor's visits — they visited about 4 percent more often than the people with hearing loss who didn't wear the devices — may actually be a sign of the hearing aid users' better attention to their health, says Elham Mahmoudi, a health economist in the university's Department of Family Medicine and lead author of the study, which was based on the responses of 1,336 adults ages 65 to 85 who reported having severe hearing loss in a federal survey.
Mahmoudi surmises that because people who use hearing aids can hear better, they can communicate more effectively with their physicians and "take care of themselves better." The respondents who used hearing aids, in fact, had a lower rate of diabetes and hypertension.
The survey didn't ask why people did or did not use the devices, but people often cite their expense. Good-quality hearing aids can cost $2,000 to $7,000 — and traditional Medicare plans don't cover them. Yet hearing problems can lead to isolation, which has been associated with poorer health, including higher rates of dementia, Mahmoudi says. She adds that her own father has serious hearing loss and "when he doesn't have his hearing aid on he tries not to talk to anybody because he has to kind of guess what you're talking about."
Also, Mahmoudi points out, those doctors' office visits are far less expensive than hospitalizations, which were 2 percent less frequent among hearing-aid users. Despite the cost of the hearing aids, those who used them spent only $1,000 more on their health care over the course of a year than those who didn't.
The researchers' next step will be to look at whether patients who use hearing aids spend less overall for health care.
Get more information with AARP's Hearing Center

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"Who Do You Think You Are?" Daring to be Amos, the (Non)Prophet
Cambridge, MA. The first reading at Mass on Sunday July 15 was short and provocative:
Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, 'Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, "Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land."' And Amaziah said to Amos, 'O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.' Then Amos answered Amaziah, 'I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, "Go, prophesy to my people Israel."
The kingdom was in a time of prosperity and relative peace. Jeroboam II of Israel was a successful king, who reigned for many years, and died peacefully. Old enemies had been pushed back for a time. For the convenience of his people, and also to dissuade them from traveling to Jerusalem in the land of Judah, the king has installed a golden calf in the sanctuary at Bethel (see (I Kings 12: 25-30), that sacred shrine where Abram had built an altar, and where Jacob had dreamed of the ladder between earth and heaven. And the priest in Bethel, Amaziah, is content, and a strong defender of the king. Religion and royal power converge. Natural disasters will come, but not yet.
But right now, Amos is furious. The kingdom is too secure and too smug. It takes for granted its security and forgets that the core of its identity lies in dependence on God. The sanctuary at Bethel has been cynically used for political purposes, and reduced to a site for what the tradition had abhorred as idolatry. The divide between rich and poor been greater, and the rich do not care. Probably not himself one of the poorest, Amos must have nevertheless been in touch with the ordinary and poor people. He cries out:
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall; who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David improvise on instruments of music; who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first to go into exile, and the revelry of the loungers shall pass away. (Amos 6:4-7)
He gives the Lord's word, on the ruin of Bethel:
On the day I punish Israel for her sins, I will destroy the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground… Seek me and live; but do not seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal or cross over to Beer-sheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nothing. (Amos 3.14; 5:5)
Now all of this is very inconvenient, and disturbs the economic, political, and religious equanimity of the kingdom.
Of course, Amaziah, priest in Bethel and collaborator with Jeroboam, sees Amos as a threat to the king and to the well-being of the kingdom. He wants to silence him and send him away from Bethel, off to Judah:
'O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.' (Amos 7.12-13)
"Earn your bread there:" Amos must, after all, be a professional prophet,. He too must have found a way to support himself by way of religion. But he is bad at it; he is annoyingly out of sync with both political and religious power. So get out of here, Amos, go back to Judah, make your money there! Let Bethel alone, and stop criticizing the wealthy-powerful-religious syndicate that runs things. Let Bethel keep its golden calf, people like it.
But Amos, who has no credentials, is unafraid:
'I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, "Go, prophesy to my people Israel." (Amos 7.14-15)
This makes things worse, in a way. Amos admits that he has no authority of his own, and apparently no family connections. He is no professional, has no title as "prophet" and belongs to no guild of prophets who do this for a living. His prophecies of doom do not even come true during the reign of Jeroboam II!
The difference is simply that the word of God has come to him, and he speaks it. (Last Sunday, July 8, we saw how it worked out for Ezekiel — grabbed by the Spirit, made to stand on his own two feet, given the Word to eat, and made into a voice of God: accept his word or not, you really do know that Ezekiel is speaking God's word, not his own. (See Ezekiel 2-3) If you have the word of God, it comes out of your mouth, whether they accept it or not. And if you can't tell the difference between Amos or Ezekiel and a fake prophet, all the worse for you.
The preceding paragraphs were the gist of my homily (though the parts were in a different order), and as is my custom, I made no direct contemporary parallels, since people have no chance to argue back in church. But we did discuss the Gospel at a gathering of about thirty of us after Mass, and the parallels became very clear. Amos' Israel is in some ways just like the United States right now: our smug and overly comfortable country, not at the moment under any great threat from outside; we act as if we hardened against the poor, the homeless, the alien in our midst, we are not worried about the gap between rich and poor; and too much of our religious establishment is cozy with power, Amaziah siding with Jeroboam, "Christians" on the side of our bully in chief, Donald Trump.
But the hard part, the sharp edge has to do with all of us: dare we not be an Amos? But how do we tell whether an Amos – or any of us – does really speak in God's name? One does not have to be a friend of the king; one does not have to hang out with the rich and the comfortable; and one does not even have to be on good terms with the religious authorities. If the word of God has come to you, then speak. But neither is it enough to be contrary to those in power: some rulers merit respect, some shrines are truly holy, some priests more than instruments of higher powers. Consorting with the rich, the powerful, the leading class, is not enough; being merely contrary is not enough. Being loud, being strident, is not enough either. If I have the word of God, everything is possible. Otherwise, however moral and virtuous my own word — thoughts, critiques, opinions — is not the prophetic voice we desperately need.
Most of us are not Jeroboam, presiding over a peaceful kingdom that happens to be rotten to the core; most of us are not Amaziah, who sold out for the sake of the lovely golden calf in what used to be the house of God. We are probably mostly like this most ordinary Amos, minding our own business, but unable to deafen ourselves to the cry of the poor. We may find ourselves inconveniently given the word of God —perhaps a harsh, condeming word — to speak into our economic-political-religious culture. We cannot volunteer to be Amos, of course – for then our word would be merely our word. But none of us can assume that we can merely mind our own business, as if God doesn't have work for us to do. We can't really know: if it is the word of God coming out of our mouths, they will hear it, whether they like it or not.
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Listen softwares, videos, trendy downloads , many more , games, Download songs, pictures get freed from frustration. Shaan all songs free download. Download songs listen without Internet.
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Pk Album has 7 songs sung by Shreya Ghoshal Sonu Nigam Shaan. " - Billionaire Mark Cuban. " I see a young Tony Robbins! His grandfather was the lyricist Jahar Mukherjee his father was the late music director Manas Mukherjee his sister is the singer Sagarika.
Listen to HD music or download it to your device. This is a fastest buffering song site so listen songs without. Feel free to hit the comments. She sings in Hindi Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Nepali, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Assamese, Marathi, Kannada, Oriya, Telugu Tulu languages.
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Hi girls! Today we speak of the famous CONTOURING!
In reality, the contouring is a makeup technique used by celebrities for a long time because it allows you to make the most of the strong points of our face and mitigate the imperfections!
E 'primarily a technique used for photos and videos, and now that the going crazy selfies can only be the makeup trend of the moment!
Exist in the trade already complete KIT to make contouring as the Contour Kit Anastasia Beverly Hills and Concealer Palette Zoeva.
UNIFORMA FACE applying an illuminating primer and a foundation of the same color of your complexion. It 'important that our face appears homogenous before making Contouring.
fades WITH A BRUSH BEFORE THE PARTS CLEAR AND THEN THE DARK PARTY being careful not to mix everything!
It 's easier to do than to say then I leave to my VIDEO TUTORIAL where you can see all the processes to achieve a basic face with CONTOURING and illuminating!


This single-story retail banking facility is an original 6,700-square-foot headquarters for a new banking system. The owner requested a traditional design that would create a landmark structure in a typical neighborhood.
The cupola with a clock reflects the surrounding neighborhood in quality and style. Materials include impact-resistant glazing systems, cast stone columns and wainscot, and a slate-colored cement roof tile.


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Wärtsilä to supply BWMS for eight new chemical tankers
Wärtsilä has received an order to provide its Aquarius UV ballast water management systems (BWMS) for eight, new 33,000dwt chemical tankers currently under construction in Asia.
By Samseer M
Certified for explosion-proof (EX) requirements, the BWMS can be installed in Zone 1 hazardous areas, as per International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.
The Aquarius system received EX-certification in early 2014 and this new order marks the first EX-system delivery after certification.
Wärtsilä Ship Power Ballast Water Management Systems director Dr Joe Thomas said: "This first contract for our EX-certified BWMS represents yet another milestone contract for Wärtsilä.
"Knowing that the entire system module is explosion-proof when installed within hazardous areas provides the peace of mind that alternative systems, where only the electrical components are certified, cannot."
"Knowing that the entire system module is explosion-proof when installed within hazardous areas provides…peace of mind."
Each chemical tanker will be equipped with two Wärtsilä Aquarius UV systems, in a partnership approach with the shipyard.
Wärtsilä's Aquarius UV BWMS performs a simple, two-stage process involving filtration and UV irradiation. The company currently offers three distinct BWMS standard modules with capacities ranging from 50m?3/h to 1,000m?/h.
The ship owners of up to 40,000 vessels will be required to install a BWMS after IMO ratification on the Ballast Water Convention, Wärtsilä said.
Ratification is expected to be enforced in the next few months and the US Coast Guard has already implemented its own legislation, stating that all ships will be required to meet the standards when sailing in US coastal waters.
In December 2014, Wärtsilä agreed to supply its BWMS to six, new bulk carriers being constructed at the Namura and Onomichi shipyards in Japan.
Image: Wärtsilä Aquarius UV ballast water management system. Photo: courtesy of Wärtsilä.
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Jennifer is a native of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She has been in real estate since 2007, initially as an office manager and transaction coordinator. She became an active agent in 2010. Jennifer is known for her dedication and hard work. She takes pride in providing the best services possible to both Buyers and Sellers.
She graduated from Goldey-Beacom College with a degree in management before moving to Cambridge with her husband, Clint and their son.
Jennifer will continues to specialize in Dorchester County but will serve Talbot and Caroline counties as well.


In the past 5 years all 50 states have experienced floods, or flash flood. Florida, in 2014 accounted for over 2655 flood claims with over $117,861,100 in money paid to policyholders. This in a year where there were no major storms had a direct hit on the state. Individuals have no idea that Flood is not included in there homeowners insurance, and are shocked when they need to make a claim. Below are some interesting facts about flood insurance and why this is an important coverage to buy, even when you don't live in a flood zone.
As you can see, flood insurance is an important coverage and should be something everyone should consider. No matter where you live.
You are an incredible writer!!


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Hogwarts Legacy Common Room
Harry Potter and his friends are students at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the years. The Wizarding World has the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry as its main setting. It is a fictional British school for children ranging from 11 to 18.
The Hufflepuffs may not be the most well-known of all the houses, yet they have left an indelible impression in Harry Potter's world. The Hufflepuffs are known for its kindness, loyalty, and willingness to help. They are hardworking and dedicated. It's not surprising that they are described as being the house of the best wizards and witches.
One of the most significant characters from the Harry Potter franchise is Newt Scamander, a Hufflepuff. He was an extraordinary magizoologist and was loved by everyone. When he was arrested and given the death penalty however, he did not get angry. He remained calm and focused and was able to get through the situation.
Each student is assigned a Hogwarts house during their first year. This is based on their personality traits. The Sorting Hat does the heavy lifting, putting students in the most appropriate House to test them. It's a great opportunity to determine your strengths and weaknesses.
The Sorting Hat is creative and magical. It was created by J.K. Rowling, and is a nod to the magician's hat which was owned by Godric Gryffindor. It is also used by the Founders of Hogwarts to decide which students to place in their Houses.
The Sorting Hat also performs a number of functions beyond determining which house a student needs to be assigned. It is able to read the wearer's mind and respond to the wearer's thoughts, and even speak to the wearer. It can also be used to determine which House a student belongs to, and to present the Sword of Gryffindor to those who are worthy of it.
During Harry's time at Hogwarts, the Room of Requirement played a important role in the Harry Potter series. It was not only the location where Harry got his first (and final) horcrux but it was also the place where Voldemort discovered his diadem that he had lost. The Room of Requirement was so mysterious that it took Dumbledore nearly a whole year to discover its dark past.
The room also houses a variety of odd-looking artifacts like the Sorting Hat, which is a sapient artifact. The hat also contains a legilimen, which uses legitmization in order to read minds. This is a challenging task, but it has been accomplished by a few.
Founded by Salazar Slytherin, Slytherin was known for its ambition and self-preservation. Slytherin was also known for being selfish and vicious. In reality, Slytherin produced the most Death Eaters.
The common room of Slytherin was located beneath the Black Lake, and had rough stone walls and silver lamps hanging from the ceiling. It is famous for its beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Slytherin was a noble House, while Gryffindor was known for its rivalry with Slytherin. Hufflepuff was the least noble of all four houses. It was known for its values in loyalty, patience , and dedication to work.
Hogwarts is the school where students go to stay during the academic school year. Students live in dormitories and sleep in four-poster beds. Students are taught by professors. There are tables in the House, where students can meet and socialize. Notice boards are situated in strategic locations around school.
The Library at Hogwarts is a excellent place to begin your Harry Potter journey regardless of whether you're a Harry Potter enthusiast or just interested in the world of Harry Potter. It is not just home to tens of thousands of books, but it also contains an area which is only accessible to students who have written permission. This section is located on the lower floor.
The library is divided into five stories of bookshelves. The main room is the one in the first. It is illuminated by natural light through stained and leaded glass windows. The ceiling is a whopping 65 feet high.
The office of the headmaster is on the second floor. It also contains the Charms classroom. The Reading Room is located on the third story. The Reading Room is the only space in the library that is silent. It is where you will find rows of study tables, all covered in red-carpeted walls. Located under the study tables are electrical outlets.
Despite its popularity as a fantasy novel the Deathly Hallows is a real story about three former Hogwarts students who are trying to escape Voldemort in Godric's Hollow. The plot involves the final battle between Harry Potter and Voldemort.
This book is the seventh in the Harry Potter series and the final chapter in the tale of the wizard's boy. It was published on July 21, 2007 by the Bloombury Publishing Company and translated into 120 languages. It is the most viewed fantasy ever with more than 500 million copies sold across the globe.
The book also includes five short stories. Some of the stories are linked to the Deathly Hallows story.
Hogwarts, an enchanting school for young wizards is located in the Scottish Highlands. Founded in the 10th century the school was founded to safeguard wizards from Muggle persecution. Hogwarts is among the most sought-after private boarding schools in Britain. The school is situated in the Forbidden Forest, which is sometimes called the Dark Forest.
There are many secrets inside Hogwarts. Some of these secrets are kept from view like the Chamber of Secrets. Other places are well-known and well-used, such as the Leaky Cauldron restaurant and Gringotts Money Exchange.
The Chamber of Secrets was constructed by Salazar Slytherin, who was a student at Hogwarts. It was intended to purge Hogwarts of students born to the Muggle race. Voldemort believed he had won the final battle and intended to force all of Hogwarts students into Slytherin. He died before he could finish his plan.
The Chamber of Secrets lies deep beneath Hogwarts school. It is home to the old Basilisk. When Dumbledore's Army is betrayed, the Chamber is left open. It has floor cushions to use defensive spells as well as Dark Detectors. The Chamber is also the home of an immortal memory of Tom Riddle, who was killed by Harry Potter.
The Chamber of Secrets is also the home of two serpents in the solid wall of the Room. They have the eyes of emerald. They are believed to be summoned by Tom Riddle. They can also grow the Devil's Snare which is a large snake that is a threat to anyone who enters the Chamber. The Chamber is also home to the snake-scratching tap. Fang is a massive black boarhound is a resident of the Chamber. Fang is more friendly than Mrs. Norris.
The dungeon houses the Slytherin dormitory. The room is adorned with carved armchairs and green. It also has an image of Salazar Slytherin. The room is furnished with lamps that are green and emit a greenish glow.
The Hufflepuff dormitory is a comfortable bright and sunny space with low ceilings. It has plants hanging from the ceiling. It also has a common room. The House animal is the badger. The badger is believed to be a symbol of family gatherings. Nearly Headless Nick is also a ghost that haunts the House.
There are a few routes that can be used to take you from the school up to the castle. These are not always easy however. They are usually concealed by tapestry or with a secret entry. Some of these short-cuts are only known to members of the House. Behind barrels lies the secret entrance to Hufflepuff. The barrel is also under spell, so tap the barrel in rhythm to open an edgy chute.
The Dark Room is the place where Dumbledore's army meets. It is also the location of numerous battles in the Harry Potter series. It is also where Dumbledore argues in Harry's defense. It contains floor cushions for defensive spells, and also volumes of Defence Against the Dark Arts.
There are also secret entrances to four House dormitories. These secret entrances are also hidden from the outside and require an account number and password. These are the entrances used by members of the House.
Vera Bradley Hogwarts
Ho Scale Hogwarts Express


Litter from Sophie and Tino, date of birth, Nov. 5th, 2009.
Female, will be about 3 lbs. full grown.
Yorkshire Terrier puppies - We take pride in breeding the best quality Yorkie possible. All our Yorkies are very healthy and have wonderful temperaments.
Thank you for your interest in our Yorkie; Yorkshire Terrier puppies.


Your homework is to redesign the front cover of one of your favourite books.
The homework is in due in on World Book Day Thursday 6th March. The winner will receive a prize during Celebration Assembly on Friday 7th March.
Secondly think of pictures that would show what the book is about.
Now think of anything else like a publisher's logo, a photo of the author and a quote from a critic.
Decide what goes on the front, the back and the spine.
Next draw a rough design.
Remember that the left will be the back and the right will be the front when it is folded.
Which way will you write on the spine so that you can read it on a bookshelf?
If you need another blank book cover please see your class teacher.


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Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Increasing During Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic brought more than a virus into our nation. It also brought a wave of anti-Asian hate crimes in populous US cities, such as the Bay Area, New York, and Los Angeles. A report by California State University's Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism reveals a nearly 150% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes across 16 major cities in 2020. The NYPD reports anti-Asian hate crimes have increased by 1,900% in 2020.
Also eye-opening is that The Stop Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate reporting center was launched in response to the "alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic," according to its website. This reporting database was established solely because of the increase in racial violence during the pandemic. Since launching in 2020, the Stop AAPI Hate center received over 2,800 firsthand reports of attacks and abuse against Asian-Americans during the pandemic, in comparison to roughly 100 anti-Asian hate crime reports in the previous years.
Although about 40% of the center's reported incidents occurred in California, according to the co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, states like New York are also seeing alarming rates of hate crime incidents against Asian Americans. For instance:
A person slashed a Filipino man in the face with a boxcutter on a subway in New York City. Another NYC man was stabbed in the back with an unknown object. In Bergen County, a teen was allegedly harassed based on her race.
As a result, police agencies throughout the country are on high-alert for hate crime incidents.
What Is a Hate Crime?
Hate crimes are criminal acts committed, fully or partially, due to one or more of the actual or perceived characteristics of the victim. These characteristics include:
Race or ethnicity
The person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics
Offenses such as murder, assault, battery, vandalism, and arson can be considered hate crimes if they're fueled by the alleged victim's actual or perceived characteristics. If these characteristics are not the motive for committing a crime, then it can't be charged as a hate crime.
With this in mind, if you are facing criminal charges in Bergen County, you must retain expert legal counsel right away. Hiring a lawyer may help you avoid getting hate crime charges added on top of your current criminal charges, which could benefit you in the long-run. Society tends to outcast and humiliate suspected xenophobic, so as you can imagine, a hate crime conviction - let alone a charge - can do some serious damage.
Fight to preserve your freedom and good name with the help of Brickfield & Donahue. Contact us at (210) 574-7919 to get started!


Who can climb the Huayna Picchu?
Who can make the trek to Huayna Picchu?
Any person older than 12 years in acceptable physical shape can make the hiking route to the top of Huayna Picchu. People who suffer from vertigo should think twice before going up. Older adults should consult their doctor before making the walk.
Can children climb the Huayna Picchu?
Can adults in poor physical condition climb the Waynapicchu?
Can people with special abilities climb the Waynapicchu?
Who is the Huayna Picchu ticket for?
Who should refrain from visiting the Waynapicchu?
How to enter the Waynapicchu?
Waynapicchu is located at 2,720 meters above sea level. Ascent to its summit is of moderate difficulty. It takes 1 or 2 hours to arrive, depending on the physical condition of the visitor.
Only people over 12 years old can climb to the top of Waynapicchu. The entry of children is not allowed due to the difficulty of the journey. The total ascent is just over 350 meters and has a very steep angle over the Inca City. The Huayna Picchu mountain is 2,720 meters above sea level while Machu Picchu is 2,430 meters above sea level.
Teenagers may enter but must be accompanied by their parents or an older person. Remember that the ascent is through very steep paths, with paths in which you will need both hands and feet. Adolescents have to be watched closely by their parents. At the edge of the roads, there are ravines several meters deep.
Huayna Picchu has become in recent years one of the most desired experiences for people who visit the Historic and Natural Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. It is not necessary to be an expert mountaineer or to be in optimal physical conditions. The most important thing is the desire to reach the top. However, it is always advisable to do some exercise and adapt to the height of Cusco before the walk.
Many older adults walk the mountain without problems. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before the adventure. If you want to climb with sticks, remember that these must have the rubber tip. This to avoid any damage to the trails that will travel.
Not all people with special abilities can climb the Waynapicchu. Visitors with hearing disabilities, for example, have no difficulty in reaching the top. However, visitors with motor disabilities can not access the mountain. This because the roads are steep and inaccessible to them. On the other hand, touring the Inca City with a wheelchair is possible.
The ascent to Huayna Picchu is aimed at people who like outdoor sports and adventure. The route is considered one of the most incredible short walks in the world.
Visitors who like nature can also choose this mountain. The walk to the summit offers some of the most spectacular views of the Inca City of Machu Picchu and its surroundings.
Tourists who are interested in the history of the Incas can also visit the Waynapicchu. At the top you will find agricultural terraces and the remains of the famous Temple of the Moon.
The ascent to the Waynapicchu has a very steep angle on the Inca City. It offers fantastic views of the city of Machu Picchu and the mountains that surround it. Although the physical form is not relevant, if people who suffer from vertigo should abstain. Remember that precipices can cause discomfort to people with fear of heights.
There are trails built beside huge cliffs, so you should follow the road signs at all times.
Finding a way on your own, could end in an accident with serious injuries or even death.
Keep some distance with the climbers going in front and behind. Especially if it has rained or if it is very early since in both cases the path becomes very slippery.
If you make this ascent with minors, keep an eye on their safety.
This mountain is accessed by entering the Inca City of Machu Picchu. The doors are open from 6 am to 4 pm The trip to the top of Huayna Picchu will take about 1 or 2 hours.
To visit the Waynapicchu you must book the Ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu. This entrance will allow you to visit the mountain and the Inca City. From there you can see the temples, enclosures, roads, fountains and more.
Huayna Picchu is located in the Amazon jungle. It has temperatures between 8 ºC. and 20 ºC. This causes the presence of small mosquitoes so it will be necessary to use a good repellent.
The strong sun of Machu Picchu will force him to bring with him sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses with UV filter.
Avoid carrying many things with you. All the things you carry should fit in a small backpack or handbag. The entry of large backpacks is not allowed.
In case of making the view during the rainy season (November – March) you should also carry a rain poncho, warm clothes and hiking shoes.
Do not forget your camera, with enough space in the memory and extra battery.
Huayna Picchu or Waynapicchu means 'Young Mountain' in Quechua. Machu Picchu, means 'Old Mountain'.
The Temple of the Moon is an Inca construction located in the middle of the Waynapicchu mountain. It was built inside a cave. It has terraces, lithic structures masterfully carved. Its function is still a mystery.
How to get an entry to Huayna Picchu?
Filling in the reservation form.
Sending an e-mail with your passport or identity document.
Making the payment with PayPal (Visa, MasterCard).
Is the entrance to the Waynapicchu with a tour guide?
The tour of the Inca City of Machu Picchu is mandatory with an official tourist guide. The climb to the Waynapicchu with a guide, on the other hand, is optional.
What are the 'stairs of death' in Waynapicchu?
The 'stairs of death' of Huayna Picchu is one of the most difficult parts of the climb to the top. These stairs are steep and difficult. Despite its name, nobody has died climbing these steps.
What is the best time to visit the mountain?
The dry season (from April to October) is the best time to climb the Huayna Picchu. The weather is nice, there is little chance of rain and the landscape is more beautiful.
← Which group of Ticket Huayna Picchu to choose?


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Q: set different fonts for the body and margin notes for tufte bookdown pdf I'd like to set different fonts for the body and margin notes of a bookdown::pdf_book with base_format: tufte::tufte_book. This answer shows how to change the overall styling by adding to header-includes: in the YAML.
Is there a similar latex approach for setting different fonts/sizes to control the main vs margin note text?

A: You can adjust the fonts like this:
\setmainfont{Arial} % font of the main body
\setsidenotefont{\fontspec{Zapfino}}
\setcaptionfont{\fontspec{Zapfino}}
\setmarginnotefont{\fontspec{Zapfino}}
\setcitationfont{\fontspec{Zapfino}}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Top 100 Teams
See all 100 teams >>
7. Jersey City Skeeters
Record: (92-33)
By Bill Weiss & Marshall Wright, Baseball Historians
Harry McCormick
(Photo courtesy of National Baseball
Hall of Fame)
To be included in the top 10% of the Top 100 list, most teams have two things in common. One, the team must play in a high-powered league and two, the club must have a superb record. The Eastern League champion of 1903 scored high in both categories.
Jersey City, located in the shadow of New York City, was caught up in the baseball craze spreading out of New York in the 1860s. During this time, the best team was the Champion club who claimed the National Association's amateur championship in 1870. Jersey City's first pro team played 15 years later in the Eastern League. Known as the Skeeters, the team (9-27) dropped out of the league in June, one of six league members not finishing the season. The team was called the Skeeters in recognition of the pesky, ubiquitous mosquitoes that infested the region in the summertime. The next year, the team fared better, finishing the season with a 49-39 record, although a great distance behind first place Washington (70-25).
In 1887, a new Skeeters team joined the top tier International League. Here, the team finished sixth with a 48-49 record. The following season, the team dropped down to the Central League and finished with one of the finest records of any minor league team (84-25, .771). Unfortunately for the Skeeters, rival Newark (83-23, .783) was just a notch better, relegating Jersey City to second, albeit as probably the best second place team in history.
Over the rest of the 19th century, Jersey City participated in three other minor league seasons. In 1889, the Skeeters (33-23) played a partial season in the Atlantic Association, disbanding in late July. The following year, in the same league, the same scenario played out. On July 22, Jersey City (27-46) folded, its place taken by Harrisburg. In 1900, in the Atlantic League, Jersey made an aborted return to the minors, but dropped out on June 2, ten days before the entire league folded.
In an early example of "if you build it, they will come," in 1902 Jersey City constructed a brand new facility called Skeeters Park on the west side of town near the Jersey Central Railroad Station. It seated 8,500 and was generally considered to be the best in the Eastern League. Jersey City and nearby Newark entered the league replacing Hartford and Syracuse. In 1902, Jersey City finished a respectable third, although a distant 18 games behind Top 100 Toronto. The next season, Jersey City would give the Eastern two noteworthy champions in a row.
There wasn't much suspense to the 1903 season. Jersey City roared out of the gate, winning its first 16 games. In August, when Toronto and Buffalo came closer, the Skeeters won 24 consecutive games, which stood as the league record until Baltimore's 25-game winning streak to end the 1920 season. Jersey City finished with 92-33, .736. Buffalo was second (79-43, .648) and Toronto third (82-45, .646). Three teams finished under .350 with Rochester (34-97, .260) bringing up the year. Jersey City led the league in runs scored (759) and was second in team batting (.281).
Jersey City was managed by 39-year-old Billy Murray, a former outfielder who never played in the majors. He broke into pro ball in 1886 and started managing in 1889. He piloted Atlanta (Southern) in 1892-93, then led Providence (Eastern) for nine years, winning pennants in 1894, 1896 and 1900. He last played in 1899. After winning the championship with Jersey City in 1903, Murray remained with the Skeeters through 1906, finishing third twice and second once. He was signed to manage the Phillies in 1907. In 1906, Philadelphia had come in fourth, but they were below .500 (71-82) and were 45-½ games behind the record-setting Cubs. The team didn't have a lot of money to buy players, so Murray brought several with him from Jersey City. Under Murray, the Phils finished third in 1907, fourth in 1908 and fifth in 1909. The Phillies were in the thick of the hot pennant race in 1908 and were instrumental in forcing the one-game tie-breaker between the Cubs and Giants the day after the regular season ended. Philadelphia traveled to New York for a five-game series the Giants were counting on winning. The Giants' lineup featured five left-handed batters, so Murray brought up a 22-year-old southpaw named Harry Coveleski from Lancaster (Tri-State) where he had a 22-15 record. The Giants had never seen Coveleski, who hailed from the coal mines of Shamokin, PA. He pitched the first, third and fifth games of the series and won them all, earning the nickname "Harry, the Giant Killer." When the season ended three games later, New York was tied with Chicago. If the Giants had won just one of those games with the Phils they would have finished in first place. The Giants lost the playoff game to the Cubs, giving Chicago its third straight championship. Murray resigned after the 1909 season when new owners installed Horace Fogel, who had a reputation for being erratic and difficult to get along with, as the Phillies president. Murray was chief scout for Pittsburgh for a few years, then left baseball to enter what his 1937 obituary referred to as "the theatrical business."
Jersey City's best player was 22-year-old right fielder Harry (Moose) McCormick who led the Eastern League in batting (.362) and hits (172) and was second in runs (105). A left-handed hitter, the Philadelphia native received his nickname not for his size (5'11", 180 pounds), but because of his eight-foot stride while running. He was a graduate of Bucknell University where he was a teammate of baseball immortal Christy Mathewson. He was signed by Murray after hitting .500 in his senior year in college. The Giants purchased McCormick and he made his major league bow in 1904. According to The Sporting News, early in his rookie year, Moose informed John McGraw that he was not planning to make baseball a career and the Giants sold him to Pittsburgh in June. He hit .279 in 125 games, then made good his promise to quit. Putting his engineering degree to use, he went to work for a steel company. Following a dispute with the company over salary, McCormick returned to baseball in the spring of 1908 with the Phillies, who had purchased his contract from the Pirates. After batting only .091 in 11 games for Philadelphia he was re-acquired by the Giants and hit .302 for McGraw the rest of the season.
Later that year McCormick was part of one of baseball's most famous plays. The Giants were playing the Cubs at the Polo Grounds, September 23. The score was tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth with Moose on third base and Fred Merkle on first. Al Bridwell singled to center and McCormick crossed the plate with, presumably, the winning run. Believing the game was over, hundreds of fans ran onto the field. However, Cubs second baseman Johnny Evers, saw that Merkle, as was the custom then, had not touched second base, but had turned and headed to the clubhouse. Evers called for the ball, touched second base and umpire Hank O'Day called Merkle out, leaving the score tied. When O'Day tried to resume play, he was unable to get the crowd to leave the field and ruled the game a tie. That incident, along with the series with the Phillies related above, led to the Giants and the Cubs being tied for first place at the close of the regular season.
McCormick remained with the Giants in 1909, batting .291, then quit again for two years. He came back to the Giants in 1912 and in the next two seasons became one of the game's first and greatest pinch-hitting specialists. In 1912 he batted .333 with an on-base percentage of .422 in 42 games, 35 of them as a pinch-hitter. The following season he hit .275 in 57 games, 42 as a pinch-hitter. The Giants won the pennant both years and he was 2-for-6 in pinch-hitting appearances in the two World Series. A Sporting News writer opined that McCormick was such a good pinch-hitter because "to him a ball game was nothing to get excited about. In a critical situation, he knew that someone was excited and it wasn't he, so it must be the pitcher. The knowledge gave him just that much of an edge when he went to the plate in the clutch." That relaxed attitude often angered Murray, who approached every game as a life-or-death battle. On one occasion, while McCormick was still with the Phillies, they were in the middle of a ninth-inning rally with the tying and winning runs on base with two outs. "Murray sent McCormick in to hit for the pitcher. The preceding batter had socked a clean hit to the outfield and the tying run was racing for the plate. McCormick was striding toward the plate, swinging his bat, when he saw the throw from the outfield coming in with no chance to stop the runner from scoring. Moose promptly swung his bat, knocking the ball into the left field bleachers. Of course, the runner was called out because of interference and the Phillies lost the game. Murray was wild. 'What in hell did you want to do that for?' he shrieked as McCormick came back to the bench. 'Honest, Billy, that was the first good ball I've seen this season!' replied the irrepressible Moose." Murray disposed of McCormick soon thereafter.
After the 1913 season, McCormick retired for good as a player and went back to the steel business. He served overseas as an Army captain during World War I. He returned to baseball as varsity coach at Bucknell in 1923 and was head coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1925-37. He was baseball director of the New York World's Fair in 1939-40 and director of physical education at Mitchell Air Base during World War II. After the war he returned to Bucknell as director of housing.
Mickey Doolan
The 1903 Skeeter who enjoyed the longest major league career was 23-year-old Philadelphia native Mickey Doolan who hit .287 in 122 games. Doolan, a first-year pro from Villanova College, where he studied dentistry, played second base for Jersey City, then switched to shortstop the next season. He was purchased by the Phillies after the 1904 season and was their star shortstop for the next nine years. Doolan led National League shortstops in fielding twice and in most games played six times. The Sporting News said he "was overshadowed at shortstop by Honus Wagner, playing at the same time with the Pirates, only because he could not hit like the Flying Dutchman." Doolan jumped to the Federal League with Baltimore in 1914 and was with Baltimore and Chicago in 1915. He was awarded to the Cubs in the Peace Agreement and played for Chicago and the Giants in 1916. Doolan was playing manager at Rochester in 1917, finishing fifth. He returned to the majors in 1918 one last time with Brooklyn. His 13-year major league career average was .230 in 1,728 games. He played one more season, 1919, with Reading and Baltimore, batting .300 in 139 games, the only time in his career he reached the coveted mark. He was out of baseball until 1926, then was a coach for the Cubs (1926-28) and Cincinnati (1930-32). After leaving baseball, he was a practicing dentist for many years.
Doolan's keystone partner, 28-year-old shortstop Joe Bean, also hit .287, led the league in runs (112) and was fourth in stolen bases (44). He played only one year in the majors, 1902, batting .222 in 48 games for the New York Giants. Bean remained with Jersey City through 1908. When Murray left to manage the Phillies, Bean took over the Skeeters' helm and led the team to a fourth place tie in 1907. He managed Jersey City the first part of 1908 before being replaced, but stayed on as a player until the end of the season. Bean was prominent in the sports world in Atlanta, GA, for many years. He was the baseball coach at the University of Georgia from 1914-17 and Georgia Tech from 1918-22 where his Yellow Jackets won two Southern Conference titles. Bean also was sports director of the Atlanta Athletic Club from 1911-28 and was elected to the Georgia Prep Sports Hall of Fame in 1958.
The third Jersey City infielder with major league experience was 30-year-old first baseman Pete Cassidy who had played in the National League with Louisville in 1896 and Brooklyn and Washington in 1899, batting .257 in 101 games. Cassidy played for Murray at Providence from 1898-1902. For Jersey City he hit .311 in 116 games and was third in the league in stolen bases (45). He played for the Skeeters through 1906.
The oldest player on the team was 34-year-old outfielder Bill (Jocko) Halligan, who had played with Buffalo in the Players League in 1890 and Cincinnati and Baltimore in the National League in 1891-92, batting .281 in 190 games. The Sporting News reported that "in 1892, Halligan was dropped from the National League for breaking the jaw of a Chicago player." In 1902, playing for Jersey City, he led the Eastern League in batting (.351 in 138 games) and hits (182). He was a member of the Skeeters through 1907 and umpired in the Eastern/International from 1911-14.
The Jersey City player who had the most successful post-baseball career was a 24-year-old Dartmouth graduate, catcher Fred Brown. Brown had caught 9 games for Boston in the National League in 1901-02, batting .200. He caught for Murray at Providence later in 1902. He started 1903 with Providence, then joined Jersey City briefly, playing in a total of 13 games, hitting .277. He had to quit baseball that year because of a sore arm that did not respond to treatment. He went back to college to earn his law degree. Brown was mayor of Somersworth, NH from 1914-22. He also was United States Attorney. He was elected governor of New Hampshire in 1922 and served one two-year term. He was a member of the New Hampshire Public Service Commission from 1925-32. In 1932, he was elected United States Senator from New Hampshire. That same summer, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Brown's name was placed in nomination for President of the United States and he received considerable support from New England States' delegates. Defeated for re-election to the Senate in 1938, he was appointed Comptroller General of the United States by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. Ill health forced Brown to resign from that post after a short time and from another appointment to the United States Tariff Commission.
Jersey City had three 20-game winners. George Pfanmiller was the Eastern league leader in wins with a 28-9, .757 record. Pfanmiller pitched for Syracuse in 1900-01 and for the Skeeters from 1902-1908, but he never played in the majors, nor did he ever approach his 1903 victory total.
Gene McCann, a 27-year-old right-hander, was 26-11, tied for second in the league in wins. McCann had pitched for Brooklyn in 1901-02 with a 3-5, 2.95 record. He was with the Skeeters through 1906. He replaced Joe Bean as Jersey City manager during the 1908 season, finishing seventh and piloted the last-place Skeeters in the first part of 1909. From 1910-12 he was president, secretary and manager of Bridgeport (Connecticut League). McCann started 1913 at Bridgeport as the Class B league changed its name to the Eastern Association, but left in mid-season to take over the reins at New London in the same league. New London won the pennant in 1914. The league did not operate in 1915, but reorganized in 1916 as the Eastern League. McCann led New London to the championship with Top 100 team No. 57. He left New London in 1918 to become business manager at Waterbury (Eastern). In 1919-20 he scouted for Cincinnati. He returned to the field as manager of Eastern League teams at Bridgeport (1921-23) and Springfield (1924-26). From 1927 until his sudden death in 1943 Gene was a highly respected scout for the New York Yankees. The Sporting News said, "Always an impeccable dresser, McCann was distinguished by a white tie. He never would tell why he settled on that color, but it was his one affectation."
Henry Thielman, 22-year-old ex-University of Minnesota right-hander, was the Eastern League leader in winning percentage (23-5, .821). (No ERA statistics were kept by the league at that time.) He had pitched for the Giants and Reds in 1902 (9-16, 3.19) and was 0-3, 4.66 with Brooklyn in 1903. His older brother, Jake Thielman, pitched for three major league clubs from 1905-08 with a 30-28, 3.16 record. Henry pitched two more years for Jersey City, then left baseball to become a dentist. Several players in the early 1900s took up dentistry as a career. In addition to Doolan and Thielman, they included: Doc White, White Sox left-hander for 11 years and a star of the 1906 World Series champions; Johnny (Doc) Lavan, major league shortstop for 12 years; Dave Danforth, big league left-hander for 10 years; Hub Pruett, who had singular success in getting out Babe Ruth in the early '20s; and Doc Prothro, the third baseman who also managed the Phillies.
Jersey City had an erratic existence in the league, which changed its name from Eastern to International in 1912. The city's first membership in the league lasted through 1915. When the Federal League invaded Baltimore in 1914, Orioles owner Jack Dunn stuck it out for one year in competition with the outlaw circuit, then moved his team to Richmond, VA, in 1915. The Federal League went out of business after the 1915 campaign, so Dunn sold his team to local Richmond interests, purchased the Jersey City franchise and moved it to Baltimore. Early in 1918, amid much internal wrangling and the exigencies of World War I, the International League voted to disband, but four clubs, Baltimore, Newark, Rochester and Toronto, wanting to protect their investments, hastily reorganized. New money was found for the bankrupt Buffalo franchise. Providence, Montreal and Richmond were out, helping to ease travel problems. They were replaced by Jersey City, Binghamton and Syracuse. In the early 1920s, there was a movement, spearheaded by the Jersey City Chamber of Commerce, to change the nickname of Skeeters, which some felt was "politically incorrect," to Colts and the ballpark became Colts Park. However, to the fans and the rest of the baseball world, Jersey City still was the Skeeters and the name change was soon abandoned. After the 1927 season, in a series of transactions, Montreal interests purchased the Jersey City franchise; the St. Louis Cardinals, who had owned Syracuse, bought the Rochester franchise and moved their operations there; and a Jersey City group purchased the old Syracuse franchise. In the end, in 1928 Montreal was back in the league and Syracuse was out. In 1933, Jersey City's attendance was half what it had been the year before, averaging fewer than 1,000 a game, and the club was sold and moved to Syracuse.
After Murray's excellent teams of 1903-06, Jersey City had only one first division finish from 1908-33, coming in fourth in 1922 under Ben Egan. The Skeeters finished eighth 11 times, seventh 8 times, sixth 4 times and fifth once (1907). Twice they were in last place three consecutive seasons, 1913-15 and 1928-30.
A new era in Jersey City baseball dawned in 1937. The New York Giants purchased the floundering Albany franchise and moved it to Jersey City where the team became known as the Jersey City Giants. They had a brand new home, Roosevelt Stadium, built by the WPA. The fact that Jersey City mayor Frank Hague was a power in Democratic party politics and FDR was in the White House might have helped bring the stadium to fruition. The New York Giants now had a counterpart to the Yankees-Newark relationship. Roosevelt Stadium had a steel and concrete grandstand and large concrete bleachers. The stadium was enclosed by a circular, 20-foot-high yellow brick wall. The grandstand and bleachers seated 25,000 and there was standing room for another 15,000 between the outfield fence and the stadium wall. Mayor Hague vowed that while he was in office, no team in baseball, major or minor league, would outdraw Jersey City on opening day, and he kept his promise. As became the custom, as long as Hague was mayor, city employees and party workers were assigned the task of selling tickets to the opener. On April 23, 1937, an overflow crowd of 31,234 paid their way into Roosevelt Stadium, the largest minor league single-game attendance up to that time. The only persons in the park who had not bought a ticket or had one purchased for them, were the players. This included the working press and baseball dignitaries. Jersey City and some surrounding communities declared half-holidays for municipal employees and the schools were closed for the day. The Sporting News said, "The attendance was all the more remarkable because the inaugural had been delayed a day by rain, and it was estimated that the postponement had cost the club about 5,000 customers." The day the opener was played the weather was described as cold and raw. The fans witnessed an exciting, well-played game although the home team lost to Rochester 4-3 in 12 innings. The hero for the Red Wings was a rookie first baseman named Walter Alston, who went 4-for-5, driving in the first run of the game in the top of the first with a triple, then singling home the winning run in the 12th.
Hague didn't rest on his laurels. In 1938, opening day ticket sales increased to 32,652 and the total kept going up year-by-year, passing the 50,000 mark in 1940. The all-time record of 61,164 was reached in 1941. Even World War II didn't slow things down very much. In 1942 the "attendance" dipped only slightly, to 55,218. United Press described that year's opening day scene as follows: "An hour before the game, the stands were filled and the fans waited impatiently for their annual treat. Sirens screamed. Horns blasted. Stooges cheered. With a screeching of tires and amid loud huzzahs, the mayor arrived at the wide gate in center field. The Second Ward Boys' Club band struck up 'America' in swing time. The two teams shifted, wheeled and came up in a 'V for Victory.' Five girl drum majors began goose-stepping down the base paths. Then, surrounded by underlings and flanked by guards, the mayor began the grand march to his box. Every ten steps he doffed his hat to the crowd and accepted the homage of his subjects. After a period that seemed to last hours, he reached his box. There he posed majestically for the solemn ritual of tossing out the first ball. Once seated and sufficiently photographed, he surveyed the house. Out of what must have been pure shame at the fact that the crowd had dropped to 55,000, he beat a quick retreat to the press box and watched the game in the company of Bill Terry of the Giants."
From 1943-49, the ticket sales varied little, ranging from 51,200 to 52,700. Actual attendance ranged from 22,000 to 35,000, usually depending on the weather. In 1943, the opening day attendance was almost one-half of the season total of 111,913! In the baseball boom of the early post-war period, Jersey City's attendance soared to 337,531 in 1947 as the Giants finished one-half game ahead of Montreal. Three years later, the bottom fell out. In 1950, the first year after Frank Hague left office, the opening day "crowd" was only 5,567, about one-tenth what it had been in the decade of the 1940s. Total attendance for the year was 63,191, and the New York Giants moved the team to Ottawa. During New York's ownership of the Jersey City Club, they provided the city with two first-place teams, in 1939 and 1947, although neither won the playoff. Winning in 1939 ended a 36-year-old drought.
Other Eastern/International League teams may have won more games than the '03 Skeeters but none had a better record. In the 117-year history of the league, no team has had a better winning percentage than the .736 mark posted by Jersey City in 1903.
1903 Eastern League standings
TEAM W L PCT GB TEAM W L PCT GB
JERSEY CITY 92 33 .736 - NEWARK 74 63 .540 24.0
BUFFALO 79 43 .648 11.5 PROVIDENCE 45 86 .344 50.0
TORONTO 82 45 .646 11.0 WOR/MON 37 93 .285 57.5
BALTIMORE 71 54 .568 21.0 ROCHESTER 34 97 .260 61.0
1903 Jersey City batting statistics
BATTER POS GP AB R H BI 2B 3B HR BB SO SB BA
Pete Cassidy 1B 116 457 88 142 25 4 2 45 .311
Mickey Doolan 2B 122 456 78 131 25 11 3 24 .287
Joseph Bean SS 126 484 112 139 25 1 0 44 .287
Walter Woods 3B 116 399 57 107 21 3 1 17 .268
Moose McCormick OF 122 474 105 172 24 15 5 25 .362
Bill Halligan OF 120 432 86 135 20 8 4 21 .313
Wally Clement OF 110 464 86 123 8 3 2 30 .265
Frank McManus C, 1B 84 287 36 68 8 4 2 18 .239
John Dillon C 57 188 14 34 3 .181
Henry Thielman P, 1B, 3B 42 115 20 29 5 .252
George Pfanmiller P 40 115 20 19 4 .164
Eugene McCann P 37 120 18 30 6 .250
John Barnett P 20 76 8 12 1 .158
Fred Brown (Pro) C 13 47 7 13 1 .277
Totals 128 4198 759 1179 .281
1903 Jersey City pitching statistics
PITCHER W L PCT G GS CG SH SV IP H BB SO ERA
George Pfanmiller 28 9 .757 253 57 126
Eugene McCann 26 11 .724 271 78 126
Henry Thielman 23 5 .821 164 63 80
John Barnett 11 7 .611 153 40 42


text:
15 Percent of Russia's Reserves Are Now Held in Yuan
Yuan is already a reserve currency where Moscow is concerned
Sputnik 29 Jun 19 29 Jun 19 Finance, Politics	775 0
The reserve hoard is now at 20 percent gold and 15 percent yuan. And between 2 and 10 percent dollar. Russia holds nearly one half of world's reserve RMB.
Earlier this month, Russia reportedly continued the sell-off of its US bond holdings even as the Russian Central Bank's foreign exchange and gold reserves grew in value to the equivalent of half a trillion dollars.
The share of yuan-denominated assets among Russia's gold and foreign exchange reserves has climbed to about 15 per cent since 2018, Russian Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov has said.
"Over the past year, we have increased the share of holdings in Chinese assets, to where approximately 15 percent [of total] gold and foreign currency reserves are held in RMB," the minister said, speaking to Russian media.
"This has not happened before," Siluanov added.
A decline of dollar-denominated assets and the rise of gold and other foreign currencies in Russia's reserves has been observed since 2017. Over the past two years, Russia has shaved its US bond, currency and other dollar-denominated holdings from over $92 billion to just $12.136 billion as of April 2019. [Albeit $38 billion of that may have been Russia merely offshoring US bonds to Caymans.]
At the same time, earlier this month, the Russian Central Bank announced that the country's foreign exchange and gold reserves had climbed to approximately the equivalent of $502.7 billion as of 7 June, growing by about 1.5 per cent since 1 June.
Along with the yuan, Russia has boosted the purchase of a basket of other currencies, including Japanese yen, euros, British pounds, Canadian and Australian dollars, and Swiss francs. According to Bank data, yuan holdings proved a lucrative investment between June 2017 and June 2018, providing the highest yield among the portfolio of currency assets during the period.
In addition to currency, the Central Bank has been building up its gold reserves, with net buying of gold in the first quarter of 2019 reported at 55.3 tonnes, and Russia's total reserves growing to 2,168.3 tonnes of the precious metal.
Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina has previously explained that the diversification of Russia's assets was taking place in a bid to reduce economic and political risks it faces, including (but not limited to) US sanctions.
On Friday, Russian media reported that Siluanov and Chinese People's Bank Governor Yi Gang had signed an intergovernmental agreement earlier this month to boost cross-currency settlements in trade to up to half of its total value in the coming years.
China is already Russia's largest trade partner, with trade turnover growing by close to 30 percent in 2018 and reaching the equivalent of $107.06 billion. During that year, Chinese imports of Russian goods reached the equivalent of $59.08 billion, while Russian imports from China hit $47.98 billion. Earlier this month, Russia's minister of economic development said the countries now have the "ambitious" goal of close to doubling trade to the equivalent of $200 billion in the coming years.
Source: Sputnik
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I've written here before about how to manage your email. The truth is that it's an on-going battle for most of us (myself included). I have recently tried two different services that have impressed me. One service keeps my email inbox organized by only sending me the important stuff, and the other helps me keep track of my contacts.
SaneBox prioritizes important emails and summarizes the rest. It does this by adding a folder to your email called SaneLater. It then determines the importance of each email based on your past interactions. It moves unimportant messages out of your Inbox and into a the SaneLater folder. Then it sends you a digest email so you can tend to the less important email later.
Contactually is a web-based CRM tool that will help maximize your network ROI, get more referrals and gain more repeat business. Sounds good, right?
I love it, because you can create groups of contacts (called buckets). You can then choose how often you want to hear from those buckets. For example, business opportunities are on the top of my list. Here's a short video to show you how it works.
I'm an affiliate of both of these services, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase either service. I wouldn't share them with you if I didn't think they were awesome. They both have free demos you can set up to try and see if you like them. I think you will.
Let me know what you think of SaneBox and Contactually in the comments. Are there alternatives you're using to manage your email and relationships?


text:
R3 Stem Cell Lawsuit
May 30, 2019 – The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to the Scottsdale, Arizona-based firm R3 Stem Cell, LLC, advising the company to stop promoting its products for unapproved purposes, such as the treatment of Lyme disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's, stroke, kidney failure and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Home » Product Liability » R3 Stem Cell Lawsuit
R3 Stem Cell, LLC, has more than 50 affiliate centers or clinics across the U.S. that offer stem cell products for the above and other unapproved purposes, according to the FDA. The agency says it will continue to prioritize regulatory actions against companies who put people's lives at risk.
"We continue to see companies and individuals use questionable marketing campaigns to take advantage of vulnerable patients and their families with unproven claims about their unapproved stem cell products," said FDA Acting Commissioner Ned Sharpless, M.D. "The reality is that at this time, there isn't enough evidence to support the use of stem cells for purposes other than reconstitution of blood formation and the immune system."
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been injured by the side effects of stem cell therapy, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.
In a review of the R3 Stem Cell website, FDA determined that the company promotes stem cell therapies for numerous diseases or conditions which it has not been approved to treat, and directs patients with ALS, diabetes, kidney failure, Lyme disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke to certain "R3 Stem Cell Centers of Excellence" for stem cell treatment.
Unapproved Stem Cell Treatments
Trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain)
Stem Cell Treatment: "An Unproven Cure"
Critics of the booming stem cell therapy industry argue that companies like R3 Stem Cell use quasi-scientific claims and unsupported patient testimonials to convince customers that their products can treat and even cure a myriad of health problems for which they have been neither adequately researched or approved to treat. While it is true that doctors and scientists have made some impressive strides in using stem cells to treat a number of complicated ailments, the claims made by R3 Stem Cell and other similar companies are largely bogus and may even be tantamount to fraud, many critics believe.
Can I File a Class Action?
Although Schmidt & Clark, LLP, is a nationally recognized class action firm, we have decided against this type of litigation when it comes to R3 Stem Cell lawsuits. Our lawyers feel that if there is a successful resolution to these cases, individual suits, not class actions will be the best way to get maximum payouts to our clients. If you've been injured by stem cell therapy side effects, we know you've suffered emotionally and economically, and want to work with you personally to obtain the maximum compensation for the damages caused by your injuries. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights.
Do I have an R3 Stem Cell Lawsuit?
The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in R3 Stem Cell lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you had negative side effects from stem cell therapy, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.
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Self-Publishing for the Clueless® - Step-by-step workbook with instructions to create and publish your own paper book for less than $3.00 per copy, in less than 90 days and produce e-Books for literally nothing plus how to get your books on Amazon.com or listed as paid downloads on Kindle™, iPAD™ or notebooks.
Contains a 279 page resource manual with complete information, examples, and resources for everything you'll need including how to get bar codes, cover designs, and low cost printing sources.
Free, fee, or promotional motive?
Before you start to consider the world of publishing, you should decide on the reason to publish your work because this will determine a lot of what you do and how you do it.
FREE: If you search the Web; you'll find a myriad of information posted for reading, review, download, reprinting, and reproduction with no concerns about ownership, usage or distribution.
This material is considered to be public domain and has been posted for the betterment of those who need the information with no concern, other than notoriety, regarding its usage or profit making potential.
The world works better because they share their knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and experiences and it doesn't matter whether they make money from their information—it still has its inherent value.
Another reason to publish for free is to establish a legacy for either your personal life or your business pursuits. Many people have led both interesting and valuable lives and their experiences have proven to be of interest and value to their readers.
If you want to make sure that your insights don't get lost in the mists of time, you can freely publish or e-Publish your work to help others benefit from what you've learned.
FEE: My philosophy is: People want to know and their curiosity should cost them.
In today's world people's time is extremely valuable and if you can help them make money, save them money, or save them time with your knowledge, the people should pay for it because if they're serious, they'll make an investment in their own time to acquire the same information that you possess.
Self-Publishing and e-Publishing lends itself to the immediate sales of all types of information through pay-per-download systems with no inventory costs and automated delivery of content.
NOTORIETY: Those who are published command greater respect and higher salaries.
Whether you're a CEO, CFO, manager, or someone on the way up, if you don't make yourself stand out then you're just another me—too trying to get ahead.
In our culture, there is one type of person who is always considered an expert.
They're the ones who write a book and as a result, dominate their marketplace because our culture equates an author with being an expert!
Think of the impact on your bottom line by being the person who literally wrote the book!
When we speak about publishing, we usually think about paper books and today, we tend to add e-books to the mix.
Each of these methods has huge markets and a tremendous potential for success.
We'll be covering each of these and showing you how to create your own versions of each of these elements and make them available to the buying public.
No one format is better than the other; they simply have different characteristics that have been developed to serve the needs of the buying public.
We strongly urge you to look to the end purpose, distribution process, economic viability, talents, skills and resources required, and the overall budgetary constraints you face as you consider each of the different method of recording and distributing your knowledge, wisdom, and experiences.
Traditionally, publishing is defined as the selection, preparation, and distribution of printed matter—including books, newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets.
A more contemporary definition would be that publishing is making knowledge, information, wisdom, or experiences available to others though available distribution channels.
What's the difference between royalty publishing and self-publishing?
An editor reads it, considers whether it is right for the house, and decides either to reject it (leaving the author free to offer it to another publisher) or to publish it.
If the publishing house decides to publish the book, the house buys the rights from the writer and pays him or her an advance on future royalties.
The house puts up the money to design and package the book, prints as many copies of the book as it thinks will sell, markets the book, and finally distributes the finished book to the public.
The process is a bit different for self-publishing.
An author who decides to self-publish basically becomes the publisher and handles everything including the writing, printing, distribution and promotion of the material. The author must proofread the final text and provide the funds required to publish the book, as well as the camera-ready artwork.
The author is responsible for marketing and distributing the book, filling orders, and running advertising campaigns.