text:
'Game over' for TTP after death of Mullah Fazlullah
The dead leader's successor, Umar Rehman, will be unable to unite the already divided Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), analysts say.
By Muhammad Ahil
Mullah Fazlullah (centre), the deceased Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader, is pictured sitting next to future successor Umar Rehman (second right) in a TTP statement claiming responsibility for last December's attack on the Agricultural Training Institute in Peshawar. [Courtesy of Muhammad Ahil]
PESHAWAR -- The death of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mullah Fazlullah has sealed the fate of the terrorist group, analysts say.
Fazlullah, who was also known as Mullah Radio for his hate speeches on illegal radio, was killed June 15 in an air strike in Marawara District of Kunar Province, Afghanistan, where he had been hiding since he was ousted from the Swat Valley during the Pakistani army's Operation Rah-e-Nijat in 2009.
"I spoke with Prime Minister of #Pakistan [Nasir ul Mulk] and Chief of Army Staff [Gen.] Qamar Javed Bajwa and confirmed the death of Mullah Fazlullah. His death is the result of tireless human intel led by #Afghan security agencies," Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted June 15.
A group divided
Even before the death of Fazlullah, who was one of the last well known leaders of the group, the TTP was already believed to be in disarray due to the deaths of numerous top leaders.
This screenshot taken from 2008 video footage shows Mullah Fazlullah talking to journalists in Swat Valley, Pakistan. The TTP on November 7, 2013, elected Fazlullah as its new chief following the death of the previous leader. [AFP]
New TTP leader Umar Rehman's Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) is shown. [Courtesy of Muhammad Ahil]
The death of his predecessor, Hakimullah Mehsud, in 2013 left Fazlullah with a divided organisation made up of the opposing Mehsud faction and other splinter groups throughout North and South Waziristan.
With Fazlullah's death, the TTP has named Umar Rehman (also known as Ustad Rahmat, Fateh and Ustad Jee), a TTP naib amir (deputy) and close aide of Fazlullah, as his successor.
Rehman, 45, a native of the Kuzshor Matta area of Swat, is believed to have been involved in plotting an unsuccessful suicide attack targeting Gen. Pervez Musharraf in 2004. Like Fazlullah, Rehman fled to Afghanistan, where he had previously fought alongside the Afghan Taliban against the US military, after the Pakistani army launched its operation in Swat District in 2009.
The TTP deputy was involved in terror activities in Swat, including the formation of a seven-member "Khaksar" group for targeted attacks. He has been wanted by police for terrorist acts since 2008, when a Rs. 1.5 million ($12,000) bounty was placed on his head, according to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Peshawar.
Rehman also was the mastermind of last December's terrorist assault on the Agricultural Training Institute in Peshawar, according to the CTD.
Sowing further discord
The death of Fazlullah will unravel any cohesion the TTP had and lead to the formation of other factions, analysts say, as Rehman will not be able to breathe new life into the terrorist group.
Several factors will lead to the further disintegration of the group, according to observers.
First, some TTP members could be expected to desert the group, as Rehman, like his predecessor Fazlullah, is a Swat native and not from the tribal belt, the birthplace of many TTP insurgents.
Second, Rehman, who is already seen as not having much influence with the TTP's factions, is on the run in Afghanistan and has few resources to ensure his own survival.
Lastly, enhanced counter-terrorism co-operation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is dealing a serious blow to the TTP.
"The TTP's game is over," said Brig. (ret.) Mehmood Shah, a Peshawar-based security analyst and former security secretary for the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas. "I don't think the new amir, Umar Rehman, has the charisma to unite the TTP factions as even Fazllullah wasn't able to muster unity among them. [Rehman] will not even come close."
The new commander may be able to exercise control in Swat, but he will not be able to lead the entire TTP because it is already diluted and fighters are on the run, he told Pakistan Forward.
"It is not easy to control and carry out attacks as they had did in the past, because controlling fighters from a hide-out in Kunar's hills [in Afghanistan] and without resources means the game is over for the TTP now," he said.
Fragile unity through brutality
"Mullah Radio was a sign of unity, and his brutal nature kept the group intact," Syed Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi, a University of Peshawar professor and specialist on tribal affairs and counter-terrorism, told Pakistan Forward.
"[Fazlullah's] main achievement was the December 2014 terrorist massacre at the Army Public School in Peshawar," he said. That attack killed about 150 people, mostly children.
Fazlullah's death is "a big blow" to the TTP, Soherwordi said.
"Rehman's lack of charisma and of leadership qualities means that he will be challenged by numerous rivals, creating more splinter groups within the TTP," he said, adding that Operation Zarb-e-Azb has already broken the chain of command of the TTP.
"I think Umar will not be able to launch an effective offensive and hence his leadership will be challenged by his colleagues, which will result in the TTP's disintegration," he said.
More misery for the TTP
Pakistanis are fed up with war and have little understanding of or sympathy for the TTP's objectives, said Rustam Shah Mohmand, a former Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan.
Fazlullah had received little support from the populace and the same will happen to Rehman, who will be unable to survive without funding, he told Pakistan Forward.
"The TTP is in disarray; it's fighting for the sake of fighting and now hiding in Afghanistan for its own survival," he said. "The support it had been getting from religious elements in Afghanistan was over even in the time of Fazlullah, and it will further decease in the coming days, creating more misery for the TTP."
Rehman also will face increased restrictions on his movement with the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the strengthening of government administration, he said.
Those worried about their livelihoods will stay away from Rehman, who has nothing to offer, Mohmand said.
Various splits in the TTP have weakened the group but not defeated it, said Brig. (ret.) Saad Muhammad, a senior security analyst based in Islamabad. "With each successive loss it will weaken further."
"The TTP disintegration is good and imminent, but it could be dangerous too," he told Pakistan Forward. "Either it becomes more ruthless, or it joins an outfit like [the 'Islamic State of Iraq and Syria' (ISIS)]."
A collapse of the TTP would "bring reconciliation in Afghanistan to the forefront", he said.
The future bodes ill for the decapitated TTP, with "unity looking difficult if not impossible", he said.
ایم یوسف | 2018-06-26
We like Pakistan Forward news alot.
MUHAMMAD TAUFEEQ | 2018-06-21
i have also wrote about this, but what are you say that which war in Afghanistan and FATA. the world given name to this war ,war on terror ,but i can say its not war on terror ,its war of terror.
TTP flip-flop on new leader signals major internal divisions
The Pakistani Taliban is unlikely to survive the power struggle for the top slot, observers say.
Pakistani Taliban chief believed killed in joint Afghan-US strike
Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of Pakistani Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah in what security analysts called a 'big loss' to the militants.
TTP confirms death of Mullah Fazlullah, announces new leader
Pakistani killed in Iran-backed strike in Abu Dhabi
The incident comes 2 weeks after the Houthis hijacked the UAE-flagged Rwabee and released footage purporting to show military equipment on board.
China seeks a dependent Afghanistan for access to minerals, say analysts
Many are doubting the motivations and goals behind China's provision of humanitarian aid and millions of dollars in financial assistance to the government in Kabul.
Iranian regime unchanged, unrepentant 2 years after Soleimani's death
The Iranian regime continues to menace neighbours and foes with its proxy regional militias and military spending, even as its economy grinds to a halt.
Subscribe to the Pakistan Forward newsletter
Do you support a boycott of the upcoming Beijing Olympics due to China's repression of Muslims in Xinjiang?
Yes. Countries should send neither athletes nor officials
Yes, but a diplomatic boycott only


The three-on-three fighting game, full of tags and assists, is a marvel to look at. With full-screen supers and options galore, we're anticipating many back-and-forth battles in the future, much like this demo.
Fight fans, DBZ fans, and gamers alike are going to love this game, especially if this footage shows us anything!
SHARE this on Facebook with your friends!


text:
Before pandemic, Czech Budvar beer sales hit a record
Czech state-owned brewery Budvar says it increased its production last year to the highest level in the brewer's 124-year historyJune 24, 2020, 9:55 AM1 min readPRAGUE —
Beer production at Budvar, which has been in a long legal dispute with U.S. giant Anheuser-Busch over use of the "Budweiser" brand, increased last year to the highest level in the brewer's 124-year history.
Budejovicky Budvar NP, a Czech state-owned brewery, said Wednesday that its output rose 4.8% to 1.679 million hectoliters (44.36 million gallons) in 2019, before the pandemic hit global trade and business.
The brewer's exports were up 7.4% to 1.154 million hectoliters (30.49 million gallons) last year, also a record, to almost 80 countries. Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Russia and Britain were the biggest foreign markets for Budvar last year.
Budvar says its revenues hit a record high last year, reaching more than 2.8 billion crowns ($119 million). The profit figures have not been released.
The brewer has been expanding to be able to produce over 2 billion hectoliters of beer a year.
Stocks climb on Wall Street, heading for a 3rd monthly gain
Fireworks are booming before July 4, but why the ruckus?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


One night, Alfie (Anthony Hopkins) wakes up with a sudden wave of panic over thoughts of mortality. Abandoning Helena (Gemma Jones), his wife of forty years, Alfie sets out to relive the pleasures of his youth. Devastated, Helena tries to kill herself, and then, finding no consolation from medicine and therapy, seeks out the help of a fortune teller, Cristal (Pauline Collins). Before long, Helena finds the tranquility she seeks by surrendering all her thoughts and actions to Cristal's guidance.


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace SenseMeasureImporter
{
    public class SenseApplication
    {
        public string AppId { get; set; }
        public string AppName { get; set; }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
the earring show
the ccbc's signature fundraising event
Every year, the CCBC presents The Earring Show – a fundraiser and exhibition packed full of creative talent with a wide selection of pairs of earrings. This exciting exhibition and sale features contemporary designer-makers producing wearable art in a whole host of mediums. All funds raised from the event go towards CCBC, its programs, and to help promote contemporary crafts to BC and Canada.
To see the 2021 catalogue of exhibited earrings, please click here.
The 2022 edition of The Earring Show will be held May 5th, 2022 as a hybrid event. The following are the key dates for artist submissions:
Application Deadline: March 1st, 2022
Notification of Acceptance: March 7th, 2022
Submission of additional information for accepted work: March 21st, 2022
Work to be delivered no later than: 4pm, April 11th, 2022
Jurying for Prizes: April 23rd, 2022
applications open | deadline: march 1, 2022
become a partner or sponsor (coming soon)
the earring show 2021
the earring show 2021 was held both online and at the ccbc gallery, opening on May 6th, 2021 and on view online until July 30th, 2021.
the earring show was hosted online in 2020, opening on may 7th, 2020.
thank you to everyone who made it possible to switch to an online platform!
The Earring Show 2019 was held at the CCBC Shop & Gallery on Granville Island on May 5, 2019.


PREMIMA works as a panafrican mining services company for African governments to sell their precious minerals on the international market.
Portfolio includes Gold, Silver, Platinum, Coltan, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Wolframite, Tanzanite etc.
Copyright 2015 PREMIMAGROUP.com. All right reserved.


Mien Shiang is a nearly three-thousand-year-old Taoist practice of an art and a science that literally means face (mien) reading (shiang). If you know Mien Shiang (pronounced myen shung), you can determine anyone's character, personality, health, wealth potential, social standing, and longevity simply by looking at his or her face.
I stumbled upon Mien Shiang quite by accident. When I learned there was an ancient practice that could tell you nearly everything you wanted to know about a person by looking at his or her face, I was amused and intrigued. If anyone would have suggested that I would one day establish the Mien Shiang Institute and then create and teach the first-ever certificate program in the study of Medical Diagnostic Mien Shiang at a renowned university of Traditional Chinese Medicine; and teach seminars to thousands who would become interested in Mien Shiang; I would probably have laughed myself silly.
Since Mien Shiang was first used as a diagnostic tool of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and since TCM is derived from the Taoist philosophy that claims no separation of mind, body, and spirit, it is impossible to separate those three integral aspects of yourself when you read your own, or another's, face.
In other words, you will not study your facial features and markings to determine only your personality traits, or only your emotional and spiritual wellbeing, or only your physical health. There is no separation. If you are in an emotional crisis, it will most likely show on your face. And where and how those signs appear on your face will alert you to specific corresponding physical and spiritual conditions that can become vulnerable as a result of that emotional imbalance. When one aspect of your being is out of balance, all will be imbalanced.
We recognize one another most often by our faces. True, most of us have distinguishing body shapes, or a distinct gait and posture. But how many times have you rushed up to greet a close friend, and when she turned to face you, you realized you had mistaken her for someone else? In a quick flash, you realized this the moment you saw her face. Of all the billions of people on this grand planet (nearly 7 billion, in fact) we each have our own distinctive look. Even identical twins are not truly identical. I'm amazed and fascinated by this.
Think of it: We all have a nose, and it's always in the middle of our face. We all have a mouth, and it's always right below our nose. We all have two eyes, two eyebrows, and two ears, and they are all in the same order and position as those of every other human being in the world. Yet we all look different, because we all are different. We are each unique and irreplaceable, and our faces reflect that every time someone looks at us.
It' s probably now becoming apparent to you that your own face reflects both your inherited and your acquired traits. Some of those traits are gifts, some of them are challenges.
If you have inherited your father's ears—large, smooth, well-developed ears and lobes—then you have also inherited his strong risk-taking ability and his gift of longevity.
Suppose your brother inherited your mother's ears: small and narrow, with short, flat lobes. He has inherited her challenges regarding risk-taking and longevity.
Does that mean that you will live an exciting and long life, while your dear brother will be timid and die early? Of course not. It means that it is your basic nature to take risks.
You don't need to scrutinize each of the pros and cons of a challenge, you just go for it. The thrill of the risk is exciting to you. You won't always be a winner, but you will be in the arena more than most others, better able to deal with the defeats as well as the successes. Your gift of longevity means you have been granted a little boost toward making it through the hard times of adversity, illness, and trauma. You will be able to get away with less sleep, more stress, and a richer diet than your brother.
It's not a free ticket, though. Your brother's basic nature is to be more cautious and to consider the consequences before taking a risk. His risks might actually result in more successes since they are well thought out, but he probably won't take as many risks as you. His challenge is to take the leap, and to trust his instincts and skills. Since he doesn't have the inherited gift of longevity, he will have to work a bit more than you do at being healthy. A good diet, an exercise program, and balanced emotions will all help him achieve a long, healthy life.
As essential as it is to nurture and protect your gifts, it's equally important to use them.
It might seem the easiest thing in the world to make the most of such gifts as confidence, determination, will, power, leadership, and passion. Unfortunately, many people never allow themselves to use these great gifts because their insecurities, childhood restrictions, traumas, or fears are stronger than their gifts.
Children are frequently not permitted to be their true selves. Their family, community, or culture might have strict rules as to how one should behave. This severely hampers the child's natural being and evolution. A youngster who has nice thick eyebrows is going to have the natural gifts and challenges associated with temper. But if that child is never allowed to express anger, he will never learn the appropriate uses of this essential and healthy emotion. Not using your gifts may have deep emotional, spiritual, and physical repercussions. This is a good opportunity for you to identify your innate strengths. Doing so will help you to make the most of your precious gifts and to appreciate the lessons to be learned from your challenges.
The wrinkles and markings on your face also have a story to tell. Acquired facial markings tend to appear on the corresponding age-related areas of the face. These markings record the chronological evolution of our life experiences. The following 100 Age Area charts show how the age areas proceed chronologically, starting on the ears for ages one through fourteen, then beginning at the top of the forehead at age fifteen and moving across and all the way down the face to the chin to age seventy-five. Ages seventy-six through one hundred continue under the jawline, making a full circle around the head, just behind the hairline, ending with age one hundred under the tip of the chin.
Take a long look in your mirror and find one or two markings, such as a bump, line, mole, protrusion, indentation, or unusual coloration. Then refer to the charts and see if those markings correspond to an age in your life when you experienced disharmony or a significant change in your everyday life.
Mien Shiang can give you the insights and knowledge to make your life richer, happier, and more profound in every way. I wish you much love, happiness, and adventure as you continue life's journey.
Patrician McCarthy is the first Mien Shiang expert to translate this ancient science for a mainstream audience. This extract is from her new book The Face Reader, available now from all good bookshops.


text:
Q: Why does `UseAuthentication` have to be placed after `UseRouting` and not before? According to the documentation, the order of middleware should be like this:
app.UseStaticFiles();
app.UseRouting();
app.UseAuthentication();
app.UseAuthorization();

I have middleware to protect static files, based on this article (protecting certain routes). The problem I encounter is that the order doesn't work for me. I can only protect a folder if the user is already authorized. So I need to place UseProtectFolder before UseStaticFiles and after UseAuthentication and UseAuthorization:
app.UseRouting();

app.UseAuthentication();
app.UseAuthorization();

app.UseProtectFolder(new ProtectFolderOptions
{
    Path = "/Secret",
    PolicyName = "Authenticated"
});
app.UseStaticFiles();

But this will not return any static file. It looks like UseRouting is doing something that makes the file unavailable, returns 404, because when I change the order to this, moved UseRouting after UseStaticFiles, it works:
app.UseAuthentication();
app.UseAuthorization();

app.UseProtectFolder(new ProtectFolderOptions
{
    Path = "/Secret",
    PolicyName = "Authenticated"
});
app.UseStaticFiles();

app.UseRouting();

So the actual change in order is that UseAuthentication is placed before UseRouting (and even before UseStaticFiles).
From the documentation:

The order that middleware components are added in the
  Startup.Configure method defines the order in which the middleware
  components are invoked on requests and the reverse order for the
  response. The order is critical for security, performance, and
  functionality.

My question is now: in the order as documented, why is UseAuthentication placed after UseRouting?
Is there a particular reason or is it for performance reasons only? And by moving the authentication/authorization earlier in the pipeline, does this affect the response (reverse order)?

A: One thing I wanted to add to @Ruard's answer regarding the "Why UseRouting before UseAuth" part of this question is this excerpt from Overview of ASP.NET Core authentication:

When using endpoint routing, the call to UseAuthentication must go:

*

*After UseRouting, so that route information is available for authentication decisions.

*Before UseEndpoints, so that users are authenticated before accessing the endpoints.

I was still curious what route information was necessary before UseAuthentication() could be called, so I did some digging into the source code and discovered that the info UseRouting() has to make available for both UseAuthentication() and UseAuthorization() is just the Endpoint class.  Specifically, Endpoint.Metadata which is of type EndpointMetadataCollection.
EndpointMetadataCollection is just an object array, so to figure out what might actually be populated there, I just created an empty WebAPI project, set an authorization attribute above a controller, threw in some test middleware, and added a breakpoint right after assigning HttpContext.GetEndpoint().Metadata to a variable.
Turns out, one of the things it's populating is data about the Authorization attribute I added:

In hindsight, that makes a lot of sense.  It would be dumb to try to figure out if a request was authorized before you even knew if the endpoint required authorization (or if a user was authenticated before we knew the request required authentication).
Something else I stumbled upon that was really insightful was this article by Areg Sarkissian that really gets into the nitty gritty of endpoint routing without being as dry as microsoft docs.  This example in particular did an excellent job of showing what I mentioned above:
{
    if (env.IsDevelopment())
        app.UseDeveloperExceptionPage();
    else
        app.UseHsts();

    app.UseHttpsRedirection();

    app.UseRouting(routes =>
    {
        routes.MapControllers();

        //Mapped route that gets attached authorization metadata using the RequireAuthorization extension method.
        //This metadata will be added to the resolved endpoint for this route by the endpoint resolver
        //The app.UseAuthorization() middleware later in the pipeline will get the resolved endpoint
        //for the /secret route and use the authorization metadata attached to the endpoint
        routes.MapGet("/secret", context =>
        {
            return context.Response.WriteAsync("secret");
        }).RequireAuthorization(new AuthorizeAttribute(){ Roles = "admin" });
    });

    app.UseAuthentication();

    //the Authorization middleware check the resolved endpoint object
    //to see if it requires authorization. If it does as in the case of
    //the "/secret" route, then it will authorize the route, if it the user is in the admin role
    app.UseAuthorization();

    //the framework implicitly dispatches the endpoint at the end of the pipeline.
}

A: After posting this question I've opened an issue about routing on github, and one about localization, hoping for more information. And though not everything was answered in a direct way, it helped me to find an answer to this question.
After reading the comment of David Fowler:

UseAuthorization() -> Will look at the populated user and the current
  endpoint to determine if an authorization policy needs to be applied.

it occured to me that there is no problem with UseAuthorization. It's meant for endpoints, so I don't need it to protect the folders. It also explains why this statement only makes sense after the UseEndpoints statement.
For a complete picture of my configuration, I have one policy provider (includes policies), one url rewriter (like UseDefaultFiles) and middleware that protects certain folders.
My conclusion is that I can use the following order, which is almost the same as documented:
// Identify the user. The only statement that is not in the order as documented
app.UseAuthentication();

// Middleware that adds policies
app.UsePolicyProvider();
// Protect the folder by policy
app.UseProtectFolder(new ProtectFolderOptions { Path = "/p", PolicyName = "admin" });
// URL rewriter for serving tenant specific files
app.UseTenantStaticFiles();

// Serve the static files
app.UseStaticFiles();

app.UseCookiePolicy();
app.UseCors();

app.UseRouting();
app.UseRequestLocalization();
app.UseAuthorization();
app.UseEndpoints();

Two remarks about the order:

*

*UseRequestLocalization only works after UseRouting

*UseStaticFiles doesn't work after UseRouting when a URL rewriter, like UseDefaultFiles, is involved.

A: app.UseAddAuthentication() is a cross-cutting concern that occurs after routing is applied.  Not all routes will have authentication applied to them.
Here's a suggested ordering:
// Configure the HTTP request pipeline.
if (app.Environment.IsDevelopment())
{
     app.UseMigrationsEndPoint();
}
else
{
    app.UseExceptionHandler("/Error");
    // The default HSTS value is 30 days. You may want to change this for
 production scenarios, see https://aka.ms/aspnetcore-hsts.
     app.UseHsts();
}

 app.UseHttpsRedirection();
 app.UseStaticFiles();
 app.UseCookiePolicy();

 app.UseRouting();
 app.UseRequestLocalization();
 app.UseCors();

 app.UseAuthentication();
 app.UseAuthorization();
 app.UseSession();
 app.UseResponseCompression();
 app.UseResponseCaching();

 app.MapRazorPages();
 app.MapControllerRoute(
      name: "default",
     pattern: "{controller=Home}/{action=Index}/{id?}");

 app.Run();

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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EagleSpeak: Somali Piracy Going International?
Piracy in the Red Sea may be becoming a "multinational" business with Yemenis joining Somalis in the lucrative crime, a senior U.S. official said on Monday.
"We are also seeing ... perhaps a new business model occurring in the Red Sea and things that we have traditionally labelled exclusively Somali piracy may in fact be multinational piracy," the top U.S. diplomat for Africa, Johnnie Carson, said.
Pirates involved in last month's killing of four American hostages on a yacht seized near Somalia were both Somalis and Yemenis, while Yemenis were on board a pirate ship recently captured by a Danish warship, he said.
"We may be seeing a situation, as yet unconfirmed, where we have individuals from several nations on the periphery, from states that are not governed well ... being involved in piracy," Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Carson told reporters in London.
But Carson said the problem of Somali piracy would not be resolved on the high seas. "We recognize that the area of the Red Sea is enormous and that you can put hundreds of boats out there," he said.
The problem could only be resolved "by ending the impunity that exists on land. It will only be resolved when Somalia has a government with a security force, a police apparatus, a court system and laws that allow it to prevent and prosecute pirates who seek to carry out activities offshore," he said.
Well, it might have helped to have jumped firmly on this problem several years ago, before it exploded into something that has a "business model" tied to it.
Since that didn't happen, now the problem requires "a little less talk and a lot more action."
Hope for change in mainland Somalia to end piracy?
A country has to HAVE a government in order to effect regime change.
...Besides predation on the infidel is a moral and cultural imperative, and what sharia court is going to send a brother up the river by ruling against that?
You got it. Not one.
We are quickly headed to a situation of mass arming of cargo ships. You can see the shift. First it was 'no arms on vessels' then they warmed up to 'military only on vessels'. The shipping community then quickly (relatively) accepted the option of armed private guards onboard.
The next step will be training crews. It is better to have armed guards onboard but with them there is a starting and end point to their protection. As piracy spreads, the guards will have to be embarked ever earlier and needed longer. This will probably create a shortage and increasing expenses will have owners and operators looking at training crews to defend their ships.
May be becoming a "multinational" business? Perhaps a new business model occurring? Individuals from several nations...being involved with piracy?
My word, when will this all come to fruition? Sounds serious enough that someone should really look into this problem and see if it is, in fact, a multinational, multimillion-dollar, organized criminal endeavor as Carson says.
A friend of mine ships out this week and I was hoping to link him to some good news. Good news is the Enterprise is still in the pirate AOR, bad new the USMC is either ashore in the stan or holding off Libya, and no one seems to have the berries to relocate the USMC to the new barbary coast.


Also called Sea of Chinneroth, and the Lake of Gennesaret or Tiberias; pear-shaped, 12½ miles long, and 7½ miles across at its greatest breadth. It lies 680 feet below sea-level; the heat is very great, and the cold air rushing down from the hills often produces sudden storms (see Luke 8:22–24). The river Jordan flows right through it, from north to south. In the Lord's time there were nine cities on the shore of the lake, including Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Gergesa, each with a population of over 15,000. The lake and its shores were crowded with busy workers. The best fishing ground was at the north end, and a large quantity of pickled fish was exported to all parts of the Roman Empire.


text:
Category Archives: Christian ministry
Colorblind artist paints Jesus Christ to worship music in live church services
By Nazarii Baytler —
Lance Brown has always been a skilled artist. Since a young age, he had the ability to draw nearly anything. However, he has one unusual quality for an artist — colorblindness.
"That has always been a struggle," Lance says in a testimonial video from 2015. "However, my wife and kids help me out a lot."
When Lance graduated from an art institute in 1999, he got a job in graphic design. After years, though, Lance decided he was wasting his talent.
"That's when I started painting," Lance continues. "I just went to the art store and bought a bunch of paints."
However, Lance was not quite sure yet what he was going to do with his new supplies.
"I just decided to start the painting. And so, through that, God showed me that I was pretty good!" Lance says.
It wasn't long before Lance had set up a side business for freelance artwork.
"About six years ago, I made a painting for my church, Arlington Fielder Road Baptist," Lance recounts.
Lance was then asked to do the same painting, but on stage. However, surprisingly, Lancer refused the proposal.
"However, what I found in stepping out of my comfort zone, there were blessing prepared by God that I didn't even know was there," Lance continues.
The Holy Spirit led Lance to eventually get up on stage. However, what Lance had in mind was going on stage, painting, and leaving as soon as possible.
God had other plans.
"Once I got up there, it totally caught me off guard," Lance recalls. "It was such a worship experience for me personally, which I did not expect."
To this day, Lance still gets emotional when making his trademark Jesus paintings. Creating something from nothing is very personal to him.
As soon as Lance did that fateful first painting, he thought to himself, "I want to do that again."
"I went to my Bible study group and asked for the guys to pray for me," Lance says. "I started a website, Painted Christ, put myself out there, and started introducing myself to churches in the area."
Lance's opportunities were few and far between. A year later, he got laid off from his previous job. Lance was convinced that painting was God's plan for him.
"I fell flat on my face. It just didn't work at the time," Lance admits. "It was only a year after starting. I just wasn't ready."
Lance got a different job, but he persisted with his painting.
In 2013, a tragic turn of events led to Lance's house flooding. Later, it caught fire during the process of repairing the flood damage.
"We were in a hotel for five months. At the time, it was so depressing," Lance continues. "I just said that I couldn't do it anymore."
Lance took down his website, and officially quit. However, he soon found that if God wants you for something, he is going to find a way to get your attention no matter what.
"I had some YouTube videos out there that I forgot about," Lance recounts. "And He (God) showed those videos to somebody. That somebody was a little church called Watermark in Dallas." Read the rest: colorblind Christian artist 'speed paints'
Posted in amazing, art, artist, Christ, christian art, christian artist, Christian ministry, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in action, colorblind painter, colorblindness, painting, real Christianity
Tagged Lance Brown
Leader of L.A. Rescue Mission lost leg in fight against homelessness, willing to sacrifice the other if it would make a difference
Andy Bales' leg was amputated in 2016 after he contracted an infection related to homeless people defecating on LA's Skid Row.
"I'd give my other leg if they would actually do something" to get people off the streets, he declares.
While politicians dicker about who's to blame for the city's acute homelessness crisis, Andy, CEO of Union Rescue Mission, believes they have the answer that manifests Christ's love in a pragmatic way. It's called a Sprung Structure, a cheap and durable fabric tent that can house 120 people.
"The answer is IMMEDIATELY getting people off the streets so they are not continuing to be devastated," he says. "The longer we leave so many people on the streets, the worse it gets for them and for all of us."
In 2014, Andy participated in a triathlon and scraped open a sore on his foot. He was wearing a "wound boot" when he walked around with staff handing out bottled water and invited people to take advantage of Union Rescue Mission's services.
"I got an infection from human waste outside on the sidewalk on Skid Row," he says.
Right now, there are only nine public toilets to service 2,800 people on Skid Row. The numbers don't add up and actually fall short of toilets available for refugee camps in Syria (the refugees have it better). He calculates 184 toilets would be needed to keep the homeless from defecating and urinating on the sidewalk.
He describes a dangerous situation with grave infections happening to people all the time. Aside from cleaning the street every two weeks, the City hasn't done much, he says.
Los Angeles' homeless crisis is worse than New York's or San Francisco's. Last year, there were 41,000 on the streets. This year, there are 44,000, Andy says.
Andy, 61, is no Ivory Tower theorist. He's a man of the trenches.
To remind himself and draw attention to the plight of the homeless, Andy spends New Year's Eve on the streets every year. He denies himself his bed, his warm room, his shower, his bathroom, and his dinner. He spends the entire night outside, with whoever volunteers to help him, on the streets.
The first time he did it many years ago, he did it alone. Throughout the night, he broke up fights and fought off rapists — five physical altercations in total, he says. Never again would he brave the streets alone. Sometimes he's accompanied by Bible college students, sometimes by staff.
So he experiences firsthand the horrors of homelessness. When the news reports of violence and even murder perpetrated by the homeless, Andy knows what goes wrong.
"I don't know how anyone continues to sleep on the streets night after night without beginning to think in a wrong way," he says. "I'm still recovering two days later. You can see I have a shake in my hands. And that was just one night. I can't survive one night on the streets. How can I survive two. Or how could I survive weeks or months or decades on the streets?" Read the rest: Homelessness Los Angeles.
Posted in bible, Christ, Christian, Christian attitude, Christian calling, Christian love, Christian ministry, Christian news, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in action, God, God's plan, God's work, homelessness, Jesus, life in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, real Christianity, real issues Christianity
Tagged Andy Bales, skid row, Union Rescue Mission
Joey Vantes, suicide rapper
"Sending love and prayers for all those facing loss, depression, or heartache this season. DM me if you need someone to talk to and to pray with you."
That's what Christian Hip Hop sensation Joey Vantes wrote on Facebook Dec. 14th. He knows that Christmas, for many, heightens their isolation, depression and thoughts of suicide. He has a heart for more than just music or stardom. He has a heart for the hurting.
That's because Joey Vantes (formerly Joey Jewish) tried to commit suicide himself. He was trying to quit the partying and drugs from his days at the University of Arizona. But he kept lapsing back into drinking, and the cycle of failure detonated depression.
"It was just a mess. I couldn't break free," Joey told Rapzilla. "I was so depressed. I was so bound to this thing that I just wanted to die to escape what I was feeling on a daily basis."
One day when his wife sent him for groceries, he decided to end his life. He would drive off the road down a steep embankment.
"I jerked my wheel to the left to pull off at this ramp and right when I [did] it, my wheel locks, my car shuts off and I slowly just kind of fade over to the left side of the road," Joey said. "Immediately, the Spirit of God just hits me right where I am in my car.I feel this intense love come over me and say, 'I love you and I forgive you. Just call out to me.'" Read the rest: Suicide rapper Joey Vantes
Posted in bible, Bible prayers, CHH, Christ, Christian, Christian attitude, Christian hip hop, christian humility, Christian leadership, Christian living, Christian love, Christian ministry, christian music, Christian news, Christian rap, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in action, God, God's plan, God's work, hip hop, How do I pray?, how to pray?, prayer, rap, real Christianity, real issues Christianity, suicide
Tagged Arizona, joey vantes, Tucson
LOL! Babylon Bee roasts everyone with Christian perspective
In 2014, Adam Ford quit his day job to write satire news and The Babylon Bee, the "most trusted source of fake news," was born two years later.
Stylistically similar to secular The Onion, The Babylon Bee, which clocks 9 million monthly views, has laughed its way through hallowed halls of mega churches and Congress.
Its writers lampoon everything from pro abortion forces to repetitive Chris Thomlin choruses (Headlines: "Planned Parenthood Honors King Herod With Lifetime Achievement Award" and "Chris Tomlin Finally Wears Out His Computer's Copy, Paste Shortcut Keys.")
Sometimes, its roasts resemble reality so closely that even Snopes has been duped into "fact-checking" its articles. Cue the endless eye-roll.
"Satire is a powerful, effective and Biblical tool for conveying ideas," Ford wrote on Adam4D.com when he launched the Bee. Satire has "belong(ed) almost exclusively to the anti-religious view. The Bee aims to change that. Christ-centered news satire is now a thing."
With the endless stream of negativity in your news feed, some laughter provides much needed stress release.
But The Babylon Bee (note the alliterative disharmony of the ancient Biblical capital city with the quirky newspaperish "Bee") aims at more than just making fun of people. It shoots for reflection.
"It's important to look at what we're doing, to 'examine ourselves.' Satire acts like an overhead projector, taking something that people usually ignore and projecting it up on the wall for everyone to see," Ford told Christianity Today. "It forces us to look at things we wouldn't normally look at and makes us ask if we're okay with them."
It has ridiculed the ongoing impeachment against Trump: "Santa Claus Accused Of Quid Pro Quo For Giving Children Gifts In Exchange For Good Behavior." It has lampooned Trump: "Donald Trump's Ego Most Fragile Element In Known Universe, Scientists Confirm."
It has poked fun at atheist physicist Stephen Hawking for postulating the multiverse (multiple universes) to by-step the insurmountable improbability of life spontaneously generating: "Atheist Accepts Multiverse Theory Of Every Possible Universe Except Biblical One."
ome of the parodies are theological. Calvinists bear the brunt of the Bee's beatings: "Calvinist Dog Corrects Owner: 'No One Is A Good Boy'"
Other spoofs slam mega churches. Joel Osteen seems to good-naturedly ignore the incessant onslaught. One headline: "Joel Osteen Opens Church Cafe That Only Serves Lukewarm Beverages." Read the rest: Babylon Bee vs. Snopes.
Posted in Christ, Christian, Christian ministry, Christian news, Christian Satire, Christian service, Christian testimony, Christianity, Financial Talk, real Christianity, satire
Tagged Adam Ford, Babylon Bee, Kyle Mann, Seth Dillon, Snopes, The Onion
Refreshingly humble foot soldier of the Lord rapper YB
Brandon "YB" Farris is a soldier.
While other Christian rappers seek to be titans of hip hop, YB approaches music from a different perspective. He doesn't aspire to be the superstar or super-celeb in the spotlight. He's happy being the unpretentious, humble, and effective foot soldier for God's kingdom.
The braggadocio common in Christian rap MAY be excused as a sine qua non of the hip hop genre. Or it may be simply the sin of pride.
Whether we condemn CHH or overlook its faults is moot for the moment. What we can say is that YB is a breath of fresh air.
"I believe God still has soldiers in this generation and in the generations to come," YB says on Alysia Paige's blog. "As long as I'm breathing I'm in full pursuit to gather soldiers to build God's army."
YB grew up one of eight children of a single mother in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. From the age of eight, music was his escape from the harsh realities of poverty. Growing up without a father caused him as a 13-year-old to have many unanswered questions, according to Top40 Charts.
"It was being surrounded by a tough environment, and you were being forced to make something from the environment you were coming up in," YB told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. "A lot of my story was in the valley."
He idolized Ludacris and Eminem and got serious about music in high school. He honed his craft breaking curfew, staying up late writing and playing the music too loud. Ever sympathetic, his mother pardoned his peccadillos.
From a young age, YB knew the presence of God, but he kept God at a distance, leery of the level of commitment required. He did music for himself, not ready to enlist in God's army. But he found self-glorification and self-promotion hollow at the end of the day.
"When I did music for me, I truly had nothing to offer people," he observes. "In reality, people walk through life looking and hoping for 'something' but sometimes it's hard to articulate your needs in darkness."
All that changed when he went to Southern Arkansas University Tech in East Camden. He ran across so many on-fire, sold-out Christians it turned his worldview upside down. Instead of seeing the commitment as daunting, he was drawn to God.
At a college "Passion Conference," he came to terms with God and decided to serve Jesus unreservedly, like a soldier.
He dropped his freshman album in 2014, aptly named "Salvation." Four years later… Read the rest: Humble Christian rapper YB a soldier of Jesus.
Posted in Christ, Christian, Christian attitude, Christian hip hop, christian humility, Christian living, Christian ministry, christian music, Christian news, Christian rap, Christian service, Christian soldier, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in action, hip hop, humility, Jesus, life choices, lifestyle, soldier
Tagged Alysia Paige, Arkansas, East Camden, eminem, Ludacris, Passion Conference, Pine Bluff, single mother home, Southern Arkansas University Tech
The 'War on Christmas' and other Christian click bait
Check your coffee cup because it's time for the war on Christmas — and other click bait controversies.
Four years ago, provocateur Joshua Feuerstein stirred up more than a coffee cup of controversy when he posted a YouTube video claiming Starbucks "hates Jesus" after the company unveiled a plain red seasonal cup devoid of Christmas symbols and the word "Christmas." Hundreds of Christians rolled their eyes, but the video racked up more than one million views before being mysteriously taken off YouTube.
Joshua Feuerstein.
Such are the ways of a segment of Christians, who make waves — and money — spreading Christian controversy on the Internet. They may think they are sincerely warning fellow Christians about the evil of leaders or ideas — or maybe they're just taking advantage of the Internet phenomenon called "click bait." (Hosting services like YouTube pay content creators for viral material, so they entice people to click with tantalizing, sometimes polemical, headlines.
If Christians want to win the world for Christ, should they consider a different approach than rants or boycotts directed against Target because they don't say "Merry Christmas?"
Other online provocateurs allege that Lecrae belongs to the Illuminati, that Joel Olsteen doesn't preach Jesus and that Kanye West didn't really get saved. Perhaps it would be best to not click on such stories because it affords traction in search engines.
Of course, there IS a sustained effort by secularists to eradicate Christmas from public life. In 2012, Santa Monica banned nativity scenes from its public park. The ACLU has tried to ban Christian displays on government land arguing it violates the "establishment clause" of the First Amendment. In 2017, President Trump pushed back against these attacks, tweeting, "People are proud to be saying 'Merry Christmas' again."
And some retailers have come under fire by the American Family Association and the Catholic League for preferring "Happy Holidays" over "Merry Christmas," ostensibly to include Jews, Muslims and other customers who may not observe Christmas. An AFA boycott of Target in 2005 got the retailer to reincorporate "Christmas" in its publicity.
But many of the online attacks seem more like wild conspiracy theories, having just as much credibility as tabloid news. Just because the person who uploads the criticism claims to adhere to the Bible doesn't mean his attack has the same authority as the Bible.
Online you can find accusations that Christian rapper Lecrae has sold out to the Illuminati and become an undercover agent. And you can find accusations that Joel Osteen is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Read the rest: War on Christmas and other Christian click bait.
Posted in Christ, Christian, Christian living, Christian love, Christian ministry, Christian news, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in action, christians on the internet, click bait, real Christianity, real issues Christianity
Tagged ACLU, american family association, illuminati, Joel Osteen, Joshua Feuerstein, kanye west, lecrae, merry christmas, nativity scenes, Santa Monica, starbucks christmas controversy, STarbucks Christmas cup, target boycott, trump, war on christmas
Lamar Odom gets saved
He lived fast and punished his body with riotous living. Four years ago, NBA Legend Lamar Odom nearly lost his life to a drug overdose in Las Vegas. Last month, he finally surrendered his heart and life to Jesus Christ in Atlanta.
"I had to show Jesus my appreciation for keeping me alive!" he told People magazine. "Nowadays I'm doing the best I can in walking with the Lord. Thanks to Pastor Vernon @drravernon, I got saved at @thewordchurch this weekend."
Lamar was named Parade's national player of the year out of high school in 1997. After playing one season at the University of Rhode Island, he signed for the LA Clippers and was named the NBA rookie of the year. He formed part of the LA Lakers' league winning teams in 2009 and 2010.
But the South Jamaica Queens native followed his father, a heroin user, into addiction. While on the Clippers he was busted twice by the NBA's anti drug rules and later he faked urine tests with the help of friends and fake body parts, he admitted.
Lamar, who no longer plays basketball, met and married Khloe Kardashian in 2009 but says he cheated on her innumerable times, and eventually the reality show star divorced him in October 2015.
"I had broken my vows with Khloé so many times it's just impossible for me to remember them all," he told US Weekly. "I don't know why Khloé stayed with me."
Lamar was a consummate team player on the court, but off the court, his life was a mess. After catching a DUI in 2013, Lamar overdosed two years later after crossing cocaine, cognac and cannabis at a Las Vegas brothel called the Love Ranch.
This was his lifestyle, when days blended into nights surrounded by beautiful women and "a mound of drugs."
On October 13, 2015, his world came crashing down when his body finally rebelled against the excesses. "I lay on the floor in my room at the Ranch, dying," he said later. "My body was convulsing. The women who kept me company screamed and called 911."
Lamar was rushed to the Sunrise Hospital where he lingered between life and death.
"My heart stopped twice. I had twelve seizures and six strokes," he said. "My lungs collapsed and my kidneys ruptured. I was on life support. Everyone I'd ever loved was looking at me through bleary eyes."
He woke up the next day confused and disoriented. He tried to pull out the tubes from his body. He tried to speak and panicked because he couldn't.
"That was the scariest part. And not being able to walk," he says. "I'm a big athlete you know?" Read the rest: Lamar Odom Christian
Posted in basketball, Christ, Christian, Christian attitude, Christian ministry, Christian news, christian sports, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in Athletics, Christians in basketball, church, clippers, drug addiction, drugs, Jesus, Lakers, Las Vegas, NBA
Tagged alcohol, Keeping up with the kardashians, Khole Kardashian, lamar odom, love ranch, seizures, stroke
Malice becomes No Malice
Deep down, Malice always knew that staying in his platinum-selling worldly music group would lead to his demise.
But Malice (his real name is Gene Elliott Thorton Jr.) found a new reason to live in 2012. He changed his stage name to No Malice and gave up millions of dollars. Today his career, which hasn't seen much light since, got a boost with a feature on Kanye West's new album Jesus is King.
"I was just letting the wind carry me left, right, swing, either which way in my life," No Malice said in a HipHopDX video.
"I wasn't fulfilled. To have achieved the American Dream and still not be fulfilled only frustrated me more," he told CBN. "I wasn't having a good time. And when I did have a good time, it was only to find out afterwards, I was in more misery."
Born in 1972 in the Bronx and raised in Virginia Beach, No Malice was drawn to hip hop and R&B as a child. Unlike many kids in his neighborhood, his mother and father took him to church. Still, he managed to get into all kinds of trouble.
Malice with Pusha T in Clipse
"Even with foundation and having a good head on your shoulders, you can still make some pretty decent mistakes," he said.
He and his brother, who went under the stage name Pusha T, formed the group Clipse, which brass-knuckled its way into the rap game. At the time hip hop was just beginning to compete against pop with choruses and anthems, but Clipse broached untouchable topics, introducing a sub genre dubbed coke rap, filled with chilling hood depictions of trafficking and addiction.
It caused a sensation and opened new terrain for hip hop. Running and gunning, killing and cursing became the new trend. Lord Willin' in 2002 debuted #1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop album. XXL gave its coveted and rare 5-star rating to their 2006 album Hell Hath No Fury. They toured and collaborated with all the top artists.
"Clipse blew my brain open in 2006," wrote Nathan Slavik on DJBooth Net.
In 2009, when he hit the cusp of notoriety, riches and ever growing celebrity, No Malice suddenly pulled the plug and quit secular rap. How could he? How could he leave his brother, leave the fame, leave the riches, leave his fans?
"You can have it," No Malice told DJ Vlad. He didn't even let Vlad finish building the question. He cut him off with a tart reply that declared in no uncertain terms that he had no regrets and no remorse about leaving his former path. Read the rest: Malice becomes No Malice.
Posted in Christian, Christian hip hop, Christian ministry, christian music, Christian news, Christian service, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in action, evangelism, Financial Talk, God, God over money, God's plan, God's work, hip hop, Jesus, rap
Tagged bronx, Clipse, coke rap, Gene Elliot Thorton, Jesus is King, kanye west, Malice, No Malice, T Pusha, the Bronx, the Clipse, Virginia Beach
They call them the twins: Hosea Ashcraft (my son, at left) and David Hutchinson.
They may have wanted the story of the Athenians against the Persians or Charles Martel against the Arabs, but Lighthouse Christian Academy's battle — despite a dazzling display of force and finesse — was that of Col. Custer.
"We laid the boom on the other team," boasted head coach Zach Scribner. "But it was the classic David vs. Goliath. When they were looking at the schedule, probably the other team was happy to play us because we were 2 and 6. But I can guarantee that walking off the field they wished they could have played anybody else because nobody is as physical as us. Nine guys against 40. If we just had a few more guys, we would have been able to beat them. At the end of the game, they were all limping."
LCA got its playoff spot unexpectedly. The Saints had lost most of their games, but those losses were against high-ranking division 1 teams. In their own division 2, they were 2-2. The surprise playoff call-up also meant they were matched against a top bracket team.
"We knew what we were up against," Coach Zach said.
Lancaster Baptist School had both an offense and a defense. Most Lighthouse players played every single down. Given the uneven match-up, the result was nothing to be ashamed of: 27-68.
It wasn't realistic to believe the impossible dream. Still the Saints played brash ball. Hosea Ashcraft — who has been the team's enforcer all season — was again at his antics of laying hard hits on key players, sowing misgivings and intimidation in their hearts.
"I felt like I hit the Great Wall of China," said the battering ram, who was taken out of play in the third quarter because a face guard penetrated and hit his bridge of nose, drawing blood and momentarily impairing his vision. Read the rest: Santa Monica private school sports program.
Posted in 8-man football, Christian high school, Christian high school Los Angeles, christian high school santa monica, Christian love, Christian ministry, Christian news, Christian school, Christian school Los Angeles, Christian schools, christian sports, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in Athletics, football, high school football, lighthouse christian academy, private school, Santa Monica, Santa Monica Christian school, schools, small schools, West Los Angeles Christian school
Tagged David Hutchinson, Hosea Ashcraft
Kanye's remarkable journey with Jesus shakes the cultural landscape
Kanye West's porn addiction started when he was 5.
"Playboy was my gateway to full-on pornography addiction. My dad left out a Playboy," he says. "And it's affected almost every choice I made for the rest of my life."
That simple fact accounts for why Kanye West — one of the most influential hip hop artists in America — has mired his music with muck and why he married hyper hot reality star Kim Kardashian, who became famous through the release of a sex tape (supposedly "purloined" though some saw it as self-release publicity stunt).
Today, Kanye West acknowledges the damage he has done to American culture and is allowing Jesus to undo the damage, beginning with himself. With the release of his ninth album called Jesus is King — with strictly Christian themes — the former devil's child has declared himself unalterably God's child.
Pornography "presents itself out in the open (on billboards and such) as if it were ok, and I stand up and say, 'It's not ok,'" he says.
In April of this year — after performing at Coachella, — Kanye, who has dallied with God, finally decided to go full bore and become born-again, he said in an Apple Music video interview.
"Now that I'm in service to Christ, my job is to spread the gospel, to let people know what Jesus has done for me," he said. "I've spread a lot of (messages). There was a time when I was letting you know what high fashion had done for me. I was letting you know what the Hennessy (cognac) had done for me. But now I'm letting you know what Jesus has done for me.
"I'm no longer a slave," he said. "I'm a son. I'm a son of God now. I'm free through Christ. I'm no longer an entertainer. I'm no longer in this for entertainment."
Kanye was raised in Chicago by a divorced father who was a Black Panther, a photojournalist and later a Christian counselor.
HIs mother had participated in sit-ins in the fight for Civil Rights. When he was 10, he accompanied his mother to Nanjing University in China. A college professor, she was teaching in an exchange program, and little Kanye enrolled in school, readily picking up Chinese (which he has now forgotten).
Kanye was drawn to music from the third grade. One of his earliest raps was a revision of Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham." After graduating from high school, he received a scholarship for Chicago's American Academy of Art in 1997 and began taking painting classes, then transferred to Chicago State University.
But the class load interfered with his music production, so he dropped out of college at age 20, to the chagrin of his mother.
He joined Roc-A-Fella Records and made a name for himself producing for Jay-Z, Ludacris and Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson. He was widely credited in revitalizing Jay-Z's career.
When he launched his solo career, he tirelessly revised and improved his first album, College Dropout. The perfectionism in craftsmanship paid off; the album went triple platinum, won almost universal critical acclaim and earned 10 Grammy nominations.
He founded GOOD Music label in 2004 and subsequently conquered the industry with pioneering hip hop from eight studio albums that netted 21 Grammys.
He struck some as a self-aggrandizing narcissist who spouted off wild and controversial rants.
After that, he launched a sports shoe with Nike and also a fashion line.
In 2014, Kanye married Kim Kardashian, the daughter of OJ Simpson defense lawyer Robert Kardashian. Famous for being famous, Kim made money through her reality show "Keeping up with the Kardashians" with her sisters Kourtney, Khloe, Kendall and Kylie since 2007.
Kim eased into celebrity life with the help of her friend, Paris Hilton. Her career catapulted with the infamous "release" of a sex tape with her then boyfriend, Ray J, in 2002, which many saw as a quick and dirty way to acquire notoriety.
Kim was famous for her sultry style and seemed to accentuate her figure with fillings and plastic surgery (she denies having surgery). She was the perfect match for the porn-crazed rapper. He later shared that he liked to see his wife dress immodestly to compete at bod-flaunting in front of the paparazzi. He later admitted that he influenced his daughter North with the same shameless fashion sense.
The couple has four children, and they've stayed together for five years — no small feat in Hollywood!
Then on Nov. 20, 2016, Kanye had a breakdown. Troubled by his mom's death and reportedly using opioids after a surgery, Kanye publicly denounced his buddy Jay-Z, because he did not attend his wedding: "Jay-Z—call me, bruh. You still ain't called me. Jay-Z, I know you got killers. Please don't send them at my head. Please call me. Talk to me like a man." Read the rest: Is Kanye West really Christian?
Posted in Christ, Christian, Christian attitude, Christian hip hop, Christian living, Christian love, Christian ministry, Christian news, Christian rap, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in action, hip hop, Jesus, real Christianity, real issues Christianity
Tagged Alicia Keys, Black Panthers, celebrity life, Coachella, College Dropout, Good Music Label, is kanye west Christian?, Janet Jackson, Jay Z, Jesus Walks, kanye west, kanye's mental breakdown, Kendall Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kylie Kardashian, Ludacris, mental health, opioids, Paris Hilton, playboy, pornography, Roc-A-Fella Records
When you Sunday school teachers look like The Addams Family
Jeff Fischer thought the Sunday school teachers of his childhood mainline church resembled the spooky characters on The Addams Family TV series, so he had no desire to go to church or come to Jesus.
But when he suffered a collapsed lung and a painful air bubble between his heart and lung, he grappled with neurotic fear of death and finally relented to accompany a co-worker to a "weird" Jesus People movement church where they asked him, "Have you been washed by the blood?"
He thought it was a cult and dashed for the door.
But he started reading his Bible — and he pasted a "Jesus Lives" bumper sticker on his car. (He didn't know what the One Way index finger pointed to Heaven sign was about, so he flipped off someone on the road who attempted to congratulate him for the bumper sticker.)
"I started with Matthew and read straight through the gospels," Jeff says. "All I remember is seeing my sin in the pages and seeing Jesus so gracious and so accepting of sinners. My father left when I was 10 years old, so I had real issues with being accepted. I kept reading and kept seeing Jesus accepting all these people."
Maybe he can accept me, he thought.
The next time Jeff attended a born-again function, it was a Bible study in Woodland Hills, California, taught by a bassist he had seen on The Tonight Show — a "cool guy who knows Jesus."
What's going on?" he thought.
"I was thinking seriously about my mortality and my fear of death. I had people talking about Jesus and how He could save me and set me free from fear and that I could know that if I die I could go to Heaven. I didn't have to live the way I was living and I could be free," Jeff says. "That was utterly compelling, but I was also scared to death to give up my life because I wanted to continue to sin, to do my life and not God's."
He was living his dream life in Manhattan Beach, California — abusing drugs and alcohol, playing in a rock band called "Tyme," and surfing everyday — but he was miserable and hung over most of the time.
As The Tonight Show musician taught, Jeff's fears subsided and the Spirit welled up in him. At the end of the Bible study, the leader asked for everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes. "If anyone wants to receive Jesus, raise your hand," he said.
Don't put your hand in the air, he told himself, but his hand leaped off his lap. Read the rest: surfer druggie saved in Jesus People Movement pastors in San Fernando Valley.
Posted in california lifestyle, Christ, Christian, Christian living, Christian love, Christian ministry, Christian news, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in action, Jesus, life, life philosophy, lifestyle, real Christianity, real issues Christianity, revival, San Fernando Valley, surf, surfer, surfing
Tagged jeff Fischer, Sunday School
Kanye's 'Jesus is King' reviewed
Formerly foul-mouthed rapper Kanye West joined a pack of hip hop artists turning to Christ and dropped a Christian album last week, jolting secular critics and enthralling spiritually-minded devotees with plenty of surprises.
He provides a soulful intensity that delivers everything you'd want in Christian rap, interspersed with comedic elements. His beats are exhilarating, a cut above most of his peers in Christian Hip Hop.
Before Christ, his rap was often unprintable even on secular new sites. He's still not one to mince words, but only now he's adamant and forthright about his faith. The album's title could have been from Kirk Franklin: Jesus is King.
"Closed on Sunday" is hilarious, a nod to Chick-fil-A, the popular sandwich joint that keeps the Sabbath, to the joy of its staff and the chagrin of hungry patrons.
Closed on Sunday, you're my Chick-fil-A
Hold the selfies, put the 'Gram away
Get your family, y'all hold hands and pray
When you got daughters, always keep 'em safe
Watch out for vipers, don't let them indoctrinate.
"Selah" is another standout with multiple verses from the Bible. It references the fact that his ninth album was supposed to be Yandhi but got jettisoned when Kanye accepted Jesus and became born-again.
Before the flood, people judge
They did the same thing to Noah
Everybody wanted Yandhi
Then Jesus Christ did the laundry.
Kanye used to be unapologetic about his misogynistic lyrics. He's still a lightning rod for controversy, only now he's making a stand for Jesus — and unpopular politics. Read the rest of Kanye's Jesus is King album.
Posted in Christ, Christian, Christian hip hop, Christian living, Christian love, Christian ministry, christian music, Christian news, Christian rap, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in politics, God, Jesus, kanye west, Kanye,, real Christianity, real issues Christianity
Tagged Jesus is King, Kim Kardashian
S.O. turned tragedy into tunes
Seun Otukpe, known as Christian emo rapper S.O., has had a life punctuated by tragedy.
At 15 he was shocked by the sudden death of a friend. He realized he had better stop playing church and get serious about God. S.O. began to question his assumption that he would have years to enjoy sin before getting serious about God.
Then his father died unexpectedly when he was 17. S.O. numbly asked why and felt the pressure to carry his family forward on his shoulders.
He had good friends leave the Christian faith, first an unnamed buddy who was the subject of "memoirs" and then his mentor in Christian hip hop, Jahaziel, who opted for "panafricanism" because he saw Christianity as the white man's religion.
With each album, S.O., now 30, pours out his hurt in melancholic musings that mix vulnerability, despair and Christian hope in astonishing sincerity.
S.O. was born in Nigeria, but the family moved to England when he was nine-years-old to pursue better educational opportunities. As a result of growing up in London, his heavy accent remains even though he now lives in Dallas with his wife of three years.
It was in London that he connected with his lifelong producer, G.P., who gained notoriety producing Tedashii's Identity Crisis and Lecrae's Rehab.
Some considered S.O. as nothing more than two-bit church rapper who got his start at Grandma's birthday when he was 6. But on a chance ride he was given by G.P. associate Prince Adu Poku, S.O. put his best foot forward: "I can rap." The following bars he spit in the car opened the door for him to meet the master, who was initially skeptical.
"Don't bring this guy unless he can spit bars," G.P. recounted to Rapzilla. "I ain't got time to waste."
When S.O. arrived, G.P. knew immediately he was pro material. The subsequent Five Solas Mixtape garnered attention and S.O. was signed by Lamp Mode Recordings. In 2011 he released So It Begins, which cracked Billboard charts. Read the rest of S.O. Christian rapper.
Posted in Christ, Christian, Christian attitude, Christian hip hop, Christian living, Christian love, Christian ministry, christian music, Christian rap, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in Africa, dallas, England, English rappers, hip hop, Jesus, London rappers, Nigeria, real Christianity, real issues Christianity, S.O.
Tagged Five Solas Mixtape, GP, Idenitity Crisis, Jahaziel, Lamentations, lecrae, Memoirs, Panafricanism, Prince Adu Poku, rehab, So It Begins, So It Continues, Tedashii
The X-Factor in Santa Monica Saints volleyball
Xiovana Moraida doesn't even want to call herself a volleyball coach. Her sport was soccer, and she was really good at that. She was team captain of Santa Monica College's women's soccer team in 2014. But she was pressed into it.
"I knew that if I didn't step up and coach that there wouldn't be a girl's volleyball team," says Xiovana, who goes by the easier-to-pronounce "X."
Nevertheless, Xiovana has become the X factor behind Lighthouse Christian Academy's resurgence into varsity volleyball after the sport was dropped out of the Saints' offerings a few years ago.
On Monday, the Santa Monica Saints beat San Fernando Valley Academy from Northridge in five sets 25-19, 13-25, 25-23, 24-26, 15-13. LCA now has two wins and three losses.
Xiovana was born in Lodi but was raised in Lockeford, California.
Starting at the ripe old age of 5 years old, she played and loved soccer.
In 2013, Xiovana came to live in Santa Monica to live with her aunt for soccer while attending SMC. She was the captain of the SMC soccer team in her sophomore year (as well as being the captain of her high school soccer team).
As Xiovana stayed in LA after college, she met her now husband Lucas Moraida. Lucas was from Arizona and was attending the Lighthouse Church. As her and Lucas began to talk more, X became a Christian and got more involved in the church. Read the rest of X-Factor in Santa Monica volleyball.
Posted in Christ, Christian, Christian calling, Christian high school, Christian high school Los Angeles, christian high school santa monica, Christian living, Christian marriage, Christian ministry, Christian school, Christian school Los Angeles, Christian schools, Christian service, christian sports, Christianity, Christianity in Athletics, high school volleyball, Jesus, Lighthouse Church Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Santa Monica Christian school, volleyball, West Los Angeles Christian school, westside los angeles
God's call. To cooking?
When God called Ira Krizo distinctly and undeniably to ministry, "there was no use waiting any longer," he says.
So he immediately went to New York… to culinary school.
Yes, cooking.
Ira wasn't called to the pastorate. He wasn't called to the foreign field as a missionary. He wasn't called into worship.
He was called to be a chef — a Christian chef. After all, God's calling and gifting is to myriad areas of life, not just stereotypical "ministry."
Today, Ira is the president of Christian Chefs International, a network of believers who have almost as much gusto for gourmet cooking as the Gospel.
With 14 chapters active or pending in America and abroad, the Cannon Beach, Oregon-based non profit holds annual conferences and boasts a 1-year, non-denominational culinary school where they don't throw knives at the students.
"In many secular kitchens I've worked in, I've seen the chef yelling and screaming all day long at people," writes Ira in a devotional on CCI's website. "I've seen chefs throw things; once even knives. Is that the best way?"
Ira recommends humbly confronting head chefs who abuse their authority. He suggests chefs use the Biblical model: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector." Matthew 18:15-18 (NKJV)
Even reality TV programs depict the outbursts of rage that occur under pressure when chefs are striving to meet the demands of their patrons.
Under the title "Christians in the Kitchen," the CCI website offers devotions for cooks that include ethics in the kitchen, being content (restaurants typically experience a high turnover of staff) and being "prayed up" for the pressures of the job. One encourages disciples to be "sourdough Christians," with analogies per ingredient. Read more about God's calling to cooking.
Posted in chef, chef secrets, chefs, Christian, Christian calling, Christian living, Christian ministry, Christian service, Christian testimony, Christianity, Christianity in action, cooking, cuisine, Financial Talk, food, foodie, Jesus, joy of cooking, kitchen, kitchen needs, life, lifestyle
Tagged Christian


Investors Intelligence Bulls has reached 60%. Not medium term bearish for stocks.
Banks' lending standards are easing even more. Medium-long term bullish for the stock market.
Heavy Truck Sales are making new highs. Medium-long term bullish for the stock market.
Philadelphia Fed's Leading Index is falling: this equities bull market doesn't have a lot of years left.
Why most hedge funds & professional traders have consistently underperformed from 2009-present.
1 am: Investors Intelligence Bulls has reached 60%. Not medium term bearish.
The Investors Intelligence ratio has reached 60% for the first time since January 2018. This has caused some traders to turn bearish on the stock market for the medium term.
*The Investors Intelligence Bullish Percentage is used as a contrarian indicator. The more bulls there are, the more bearish this is deemed to be.
However, a more detailed look at the Investors Intelligence Bullish Percentage demonstrates that there's nothing bearish about the bullish percentage exceeded 60%. Investors Intelligence Bullish Percentage spends a lot of time at 60%.
1 am: Banks' lending standards are easing even more. Medium-long term bullish for the stock market.
Banks' lending standards continue to ease (trend downwards).
Easing lending standards is a medium-long term bullish sign for the stock market and economy. It gives this aged economic expansion and bull market a little more juice via easier loans and more credit.
As you can see, lending standards tend to get tighter in the last rally of a bull market.
1 am: Heavy Truck Sales are making new highs. Medium-long term bullish for the stock market.
The latest reading for Heavy Truck Sales went up from 485k to 494k. But more importantly, Heavy Truck Sales are still trending higher.
This indicator suggests that this equities bull market doesn't have many years left. By the Medium-Long Term Model's estimates, mid-2019 is the most likely top.
The Philadelphia Fed's Leading Index is falling right now. More importantly, this Leading Index is trending lower.
Historically, this means that we are closer to the end of the economic expansion & bull market.
1 am: Why most hedge funds & professional traders have consistently underperformed from 2009-present.
Hedge funds were very aggressive before the GFC and extremely defensive after the GFC.
This is why most hedge funds & professional traders continue to underperform from 2009-present.
They've been scarred by the GFC. Focus on "risk" is important, but too much emphasis on risk kills returns.
The S&P 500 has approximately 1 year left in this bull market (bull market top sometime in 2019).
Previous Post: S&P made a new high in August. Pullback in September?


"Hi Everyone my name is Kirk I'm from Johannesburg South Africa. I work in the procurement dept of an Aviation firm. I have very little experience working with wood which is why I joined the Kreg Owners club. I recently purchased the K4 system."


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Last modified 1212 days ago (March 24, 2016)
Local legislator ousted as House committee chair
Last week's removal of Rep. John Barker (R-Abilene) as chair of the House Rules Committee will likely have little impact on Marion County's representation, Barker and a fellow legislator said.
Barker's district includes Durham, Lehigh, Lincolnville, Lost Springs, Marion, Ramona, and Tampa in Marion County.
House Speaker Ray Merrick (R-Stilwell) abruptly removed Barker as committee chair after Barker's committee declined to debate a proposed amendment to Senate Bill 415 that would restore dog and horse racing by expanding gambling at tracks.
Barker said he was surprised by Merrick's decision but has accepted it.
"I ruled in favor of the speaker," Barker said. "We serve at his pleasure."
He points out that he remains chairman of the Jucidiary Committee, which is more important than the Rules Committee.
"I don't know what his reasoning was, we never discussed it," Barker said. "I've accepted it. I'm busy with the Judiciary. We've got a lot of bills we need to concentrate on, and I'm just focusing on that."
The number of people Merrick has moved around doesn't surprise Barker.
"It's not unusual that every two years they move people around because they want you to get the concept of the whole scope of government," Barker said.
Barker speculates that he and Merrick differed on an issue.
Rep. Don Schroeder (R-Hesston), who also represents portions of the county, said he doesn't believe Barker's ouster will have any effect on the constituents in his district.
"He hasn't been replaced on any of the other committees he's on, so I really don't think it will have any effect on the area," Schroeder said.
Barker remains on the Legislative Post Audit, Veterans, Military and Homeland Security, Pensions and Benefits, and Local Government committees.
Schroeder speculated the move might have a little effect on the cohesiveness of the Republican Party in the Capitol.
"This time of the session there's a lot of discussion that goes on between members," Schroeder said.
Merrick has made a number of changes in committees. The same day he removed Barker, he removed Rep. John Rubin (R-Shawnee) — who tried to get House Bill 415 heard — as chair of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee. In December, he removed Rep. Melissa Rooker (R-Fairway) from a committee focusing on issues affecting children and seniors. In November, he removed three Republicans from a health committee out of concern they would vote to expand Medicaid.
Schroeder, asked if the number of committee removals has been excessive, agreed the number seems high.
Last modified March 24, 2016


A young professional company established with a vision of becoming a leading international Education and Migration Consultancy offering the best advice, destinations and outcomes throughout the globe, Globancy Private Limited combines the experience of a team of professionals with many years of experience in the education industry and a team of Registered Migration Agents with many years of experience lodging successful cases with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
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Providing advice and assistance to international students who wish to pursue their further studies overseas, Globancy Private Limited offers personalized and informative service and helps the students during the entire process. It further helps you in selecting a course from a relevant institution assisting you with the visa application or renewal, Overseas Student Health Cover, accommodation and travel assistance.
Globancy could also be considered as a universal educational and immigration service provider that assists you in your every step towards abroad study, from selecting the course to visa processing. Its services extend from educational services to immigration services (RMA) to travel and tours through strategic partner along with serving as a specialist agency for Australia. Hence, to get answers to all your queries regarding abroad education, especially regarding migration to Australia, Globancy Private Limited is the place to visit.


Wichita State's main campus is located on a 330-acre site near Hillside and 21st Street in northeast Wichita. This section describes some of the facilities on campus and other facilities to the south and west of campus.
Find out how WSU's Career Development Center, Alumni Association and WSU Foundation serve students and the community under the University Support Areas heading.
Under the Student Involvement heading, find details about child care, counseling and disability services. Services for Veterans, international students and more are also described in this section.


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Phenotypic characterization and production systems of indigenous chickens in urban, peri urban and rural area of the west Harerghe zone, Ethiopia
Author(s): Sufiyan Abdi Musa
Abstract: The study was conducted to characterize the indigenous chicken ecotypes and identify the production system of the owners across different locations. The three districts of West Hararghe zone of Oromia region, Gamachis, Tullo and Ciro district were purposely selected to represent high-altitude, mid-altitude and low-altitude agro-ecologies, respectively. Three kebeles from different locations (urban, peri-urban and rural) were selected purposely in each district that makes up a total of 9 kebeles as primary sampling units for the study. About 20 rural households (HH) per kebeles were selected randomly and additional three focus groups one per district was formed to strength the ideas of the respondents. A total of 180 HHs (60 HHs per urban, peri-urban and rural locations) were interviewed for primary data collection. Productive and reproductive performance, breeding practice, and major constraints of chicken production were addressed by semi-structured questionnaire and checklists. Additionally, field observations and focus group discussions were practiced. Whereas, measurable traits like body weight (BW), body length (BL), chest circumference (CC), wing span (WS), shank length (SL), comb length (CL), comb width (CW), wattle length (WL), earlobe length (EL), height at back (HB) and height at comb(HC)were considered for the study of 420 mature chickens morphological characteristics. The data were analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) of SAS (version 9.1.3).Also SPSS (version 20) and index methods were used to analyze qualitative data and to rank priority setup of the breeding objectives and to detect the major constraints respectively. The overall mean for body weight obtained for mature chicken was 1.33±0.009 kg which showed a significant difference (p<0.05) across agro-ecology and sex. Reproductive performance of female average age at first sexual maturity was 5.18±0.92. The main breeding objectives of HHs in the study areas were egg production for home consumption at urban area, while it's for source of income, in peri-urban and rural areas. The major constraints of poultry production in the study districts were disease, lack of housing and shortage of feeds followed by litter scattering and predators. From the morphological characteristics of the local chickens, it is concluded that local chicken populations studied are not unique from the rest of the Ethiopian indigenous chicken populations as the observed characters are also found in other areas of the country. However, further studies involving morphometric, production and molecular analyses are important for exhaustive characterization. Such information will form a basis for conservation, selection and sustainable improvement strategies for the identified prospective local chickens.
DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2022.v7.i5a.437
Sufiyan Abdi Musa. Phenotypic characterization and production systems of indigenous chickens in urban, peri urban and rural area of the west Harerghe zone, Ethiopia. Int J Vet Sci Anim Husbandry 2022;7(5):13-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/veterinary.2022.v7.i5a.437


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"Serial properties will include two or more component parts related by clearly defined links:
a) Component parts should reflect cultural, social or functional links over time that provide, where relevant, landscape, ecological, evolutionary or habitat connectivity.
b) Each component part should contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value of the property as a whole in a substantial, scientific, readily defined and discernible way, and may include, inter alia, intangible attributes. The resulting Outstanding Universal Value should be easily understood and communicated.
c) Consistently, and in order to avoid an excessive fragmentation of component parts, the process of nomination of the property, including the selection of the component parts, should take fully into account the overall manageability and coherence of the property (see paragraph 114).
and provided it is the series as a whole – and not necessarily the individual parts of it – which are of Outstanding Universal Value."
Theme: 2.7.3 - Serial properties
"A serial nominated property may occur:
a) on the territory of a single State Party (serial national property); or
b) within the territory of different States Parties, which need not be contiguous and is nominated with the consent of all States Parties concerned (serial transnational property)."
"Serial nominations, whether from one State Party or multiple States, may be submitted for evaluation over several nomination cycles, provided that the first property nominated is of Outstanding Universal Value in its own right. States Parties planning serial nominations phased over several nomination cycles are encouraged to inform the Committee of their intention in order to ensure better planning."
35. (i) "States Parties may propose in one single nomination several individual cultural properties, which may be in different geographical locations but which should:
- be linked because they belong to the same historic-cultural group, or
- be the subject of a single safeguarding project, or
- belong to the same type of property characteristic of the zone
Each State Party submits only the cultural properties situated on its territory (even if these properties belong to an ensemble which goes beyond its borders) but it may come to an agreement with another State Party in order to make a joint submission".
Decision of the World Heritage Committee CONF 016 VI.18-20
19. "(...)
(e) States Parties may propose in a single nomination a series of cultural properties in different geographical locations, provided that they are related because they belong : (i) to the same historico-cultural group or (ii) to the same type of property which is characteristic of the geographical zone and provided that it is the series as such and not its components taken individually, which is of outstanding universal value."
Decision: 4 COM VI.18-20
2. "[The World Heritage Committee notes] that some large complex serial transnational nominations may benefit from an agreed nomination strategy before their official submission, (…);
5. [The World Heritage Committee] emphasizes that, if and when, it takes note of a nomination strategy, this is not prejudicial and does not imply that the complex serial transnational nominations proposed would necessarily lead to an inscription on the World Heritage List."


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Movie Review: The Expendables III
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Harrison Ford, Terry Crews, Jet Li, Wesley Snipes, Randy Couture, Kelsey Grammer, Antonio Banderas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kellan Lutz, Rhonda Rousey, Victor Ortiz, Glen Powell
Rated PG-13 for violence including intense sustained gun battles and fight scenes, and for language, Running time 126 minutes, Action/Adventure
Compare to: The Expendables (2010), The Expendables 2 (2012)
There's one thing we can all agree before we get to anything else with this movie: If you liked the first two, there's nothing about The Expendables III that you should find dissatisfying.
Now that that disclaimer is out of the way, we can get to the point and say that this movie is as simplistic and inane as it gets past the glorified cameos we're calling a cast. From Guardians of the Galaxy set in the furthest reaches of the universe, to the slightly less fun streets of New York in TMNT…to this dreck in Somalia and some war-torn country I'm pretty sure was made up but can't remember the name, it seems the less fun the location, the less fun the movie.
In this third installment to the Expendables films, Barney Ross and his team of mercenary veterans return to confront Conrad Stonebanks; a founding Expendable and traitor to his former principles who will sell any weapon to anyone for any price, as long as it's high enough. Gearing up for one more mission that should be paying more than it is, The Expendables are in for the mission of their lives.
Here is the actual execution of common sense in the movie.
As fun as it is to see familiar faces whose glory days in film are behind them, it seems Stallone and co. don't think the movie still needs to be good. Sorry, but just showing up isn't enough. I've reread my review of the second film and I was definitely keeping in mind that just about anybody that chooses to watch these won't be disappointed. But if you've wanted anything more than what you saw in the first film, you'll be as miserable as I've been. I'm keeping that in mind for this also.
Explosions, shootouts, cameos pretending to be roles, and about eleven conversations with Stallone's character about his "rough life" and being hardcore and being alone, blah blah blah…repeat.
You know who else is an honorary Expendable? Story. Ohhhh
I understand that with names like Conrad Stonebanks and Hale Caesar and Lee Christmas, this is meant to be more of a throwback to the wonderful days of the 80s and 90s when plot came second to the oiled-up musclebound heroes that dominated the screen. But if the point is to say "Yeah, we're still around and we've still got it," shouldn't we actually be shown that? The script is written in a way that forces the plot along begrudgingly because all the characters are meant to be so awesome that there's the problem of allowing the bad guy to get the upper hand just so there can be some form of tension…but that can't last long because look! An awesome cameo!
The one bright light in this cavalcade of dim bulbs is Gibson's performance of Stonebanks. His few scenes as the villain are the only moments that make you feel like there's actually history to these characters. The psycho arms dealer is the only one that knows the kind of movie he's in and plays up to that rather than holding back like it seems everyone else is doing; playing it safe to make it to the sequel.
The good news, Mel, is that you're going to get paid a lot and this movie is going to be huge. The bad news is that you're going to be in The Expendables III.
Positives: Gibson's character is interesting and gleefully evil, the new faces of Banderas, Snipes, and Grammer are good choices and played well in their short screen time.
Negatives: Shootouts and fist fights are boring with wave after wave of nameless soldiers dying but nothing particularly interesting actually happening. New faces of Powell, Rousey, Ortiz and Lutz are nothing special as characters. Overly simple dialogue, story, ideas, etc.
Sidenote: Where is Danny Trejo?!
This entry was posted on 08/15/2014 at 2:59 am and is filed under Reviews! with tags action movies, Dolph Lundgren, jason statham, Mel Gibson, review, Rhonda Rousey, sylvester stallone, The Expendables III, Wesley Snipes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
2 Responses to "Movie Review: The Expendables III"
I miss Billy
No, you don't. Nobody does.


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Q: Segmentation error on Assignment to returned pointer I am curious as to why would assigning a returned pointer to a new pointer variable cause a segmentation fault? However, passing a pointer into the pop() function as a double pointer would not cause any error.
The code below is for testing purposes, I am trying to implement a queue here.
void push(struct node **head, Task * newTask) {
    struct node* temp = malloc(sizeof(struct node));
    temp->task = newTask;
    temp->next = NULL;
    struct node* curr = *head;
    if (*head == NULL) {
        puts("Entered here");
        temp->next = *head;
        *head = temp;
    } else {
        while (curr->next != NULL) {
            curr = curr->next;
        }
        curr->next = temp;
    }
}

Task* pop(struct node** head, Task** returnTask) {
    struct node* returnNode = *head;
    *returnTask = returnNode->task;
    *head = returnNode->next;
    free(returnNode);
    printf("%s\n", (*returnTask)->name);
    return *returnTask;
}

Below is the code that's causing segmentation fault (returnedTask)
Error: Segmentation fault (core dumped)
void schedule() {
    struct node* queue = NULL;
    Task* currTask = pickNextTask(); //Returns a Task
    push(&queue, currTask);
    Task* newTask = NULL;
    Task* returnedTask = pop(&queue, &newTask);
    printf("%s", newTask->name); //Runs fine
    printf("%s", returnedTask->name);  //Segmentation fault
}

Task.h definition
#ifndef TASK_H
#define TASK_H

// representation of a task
typedef struct task {
    char *name;
    int tid;
    int priority;
    int burst;
} Task;

#endif

Node
struct node {
    Task *task;
    struct node *next;
};

A: I'm going to assume this question has enough content to answer it. This is probably a false assumption, and this is probably not the case, which in turn means this is most likely not the actual answer. Nevertheless, I have a point to make. There is a kernel of truth within.
The printfs scattered as they are and almost certainly added one by one to track down the problem eliminate almost all hypotheses.
This kind of memory corruption suggests compiling on a 64 bit platform and implicit function declarations were used. This results in pointer bits being sheared off as it implicitly casts the pointer to int and back. If so, turn on compiler warnings and fix implicit conversion warnings.


Monster Trucks Challenge is an online game that you can play for free. Do you want to try this new monster truck game? In this game you need to collect as many coins as you can, avoid obstacles, finish the race truck and unlock new monster trucks. This is a hard job, good luck!


Cable, brake, emergency assy. W/handle and ratchet assy(nos) with metal shielding. Same as Willys but will are correct F stampings on clips and clamps. Handle is cast with F script per original.
Cable, brake, emergency assy. W/handle and ratchet assy(nos) with metal shielding. Same as Willys but with correct F stamping on clamps and clips. Handle is cast with F script per original.