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December 10, 2014 Food & Drink » Food Features
Ally Moore said she didn't do anything that special.
By Devon Green
From left, Alissa Williams steams milk in a coffee drink preparation while shop owner Ally Moore watches, at Compass Coffee Shop in Edmond. mh
She wanted her neighborhood to have a warm, local place to buy good coffee and treats. She also wanted her customers to feel welcome buzzing through on busy mornings or hanging out in a relaxed environment.
Did we mention it must have good local coffee?
"That's really all there is to it," she said. "We decided to go for it."
(When she said "we," she meant the two partners who prefer to remain behind the scenes.)
Compass Coffeehouse, 900 NW 150th St., is a new spot in Edmond near Quail Springs, almost in northwest Oklahoma City.
Before Compass, there was only one major chain coffee shop relatively close, and that one was still miles away.
"There just hadn't been anything really close by, and we didn't want to do anything super trendy or anything; we just wanted to be more of a local stop for the neighborhood," Moore said.
And Compass offers coffee you won't find at many metro locations. Topeca Coffee Roasters, 1229 E. Admiral Blvd., in Tulsa supplies Compass' coffees. Its product, although mostly shade-grown in places like El Salvador, is supervised by the descendants of founder Rafael Álverez Lalinde, from bean to cup. Also, it roasts everything at its Tulsa headquarters. The family's hands-on approach — and the fact that it's local — convinced Moore to use Topeca.
"They've been in business since 1850. Everything they produce is fair trade if it's not from a farm they own. But really, it's that we just loved their customer service with us — we knew they were the right choice," she said.
Compass' pastries are made by another veteran local producer, Brown's Bakery, which has been in business since 1946.
The coffee house offers a daily selection of donuts, muffins, Danish pastries and gargantuan cinnamon rolls. For a more healthy start, try oatmeal or yogurt. Also find a selection of teas and warm, caramel-apple cider.
"I have a meeting today with another local producer for more on the menu," she said. "You could say we like to keep things local."
She's being modest; her venue also is a member of Keep It Local OK, and cardholders get 10 percent off any espresso drink.
Even with her emphasis on locally made and handcrafted goodies and drinks, Moore also understands that many of her customers are short on time.
"We do have a drive-through," she said. "We're specialty coffee, and we do serve good coffee, but we know how to serve it on the go."
As for seasonal specials, Moore finished out November with a pumpkin spice. At press time, she was putting finishing touches on other seasonal specialty drinks, including one called True North. As for any other hints about the flavors or ingredients, it's a surprise. She said to visit her shop to find out.
Learn more at compasscoffeehouse.com or call 286-1440.
Print headline: The right direction, A new Edmond coffee shop is a quick but cozy alternative with a hyper-local approach.
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Tags: Food Features, coffee, feature, food, local
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Devon Green
dgreen@okgazette.com
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Best Place to See the Sunset at the Grand Canyon
August 21, 2015 | Grand Canyon |
When asked, "where is the best place to watch the sunset at the Grand Canyon?" my reply has always been, "Well, there really is no bad spot". And it's true, anywhere along the rim awards you with over 100 miles of visibility. Light playing off the brightly colored Canyon walls ignites the clouds like cotton candy changing from blue, to orange, and finally red as the sun drops quickly below the rim. My favorite place encompasses this spectacular light show along with the remoteness of being able to find your own spot, undisturbed by anyone else!
Most people opt for the easier to access, developed points right on the rim. But a short, 1-mile walk to Shoshone Point is the place to be! It is a designated viewpoint, but the 20-minute walk acts as a deterrent for many people. Access is about 1.3 miles east of the Pipe Creek Vista along Desert View Drive/Hwy. 64 towards Desert View Watchtower. A small dirt parking lot on the northside of the roadway denotes where to park. During peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), it can have at most 10 vehicles, and quite possibly, you might be the only vehicle there. Either way, the point has plenty of space for people to disperse unlike many other more developed areas. From the parking area, you will see a gated, single-lane dirt trail leading toward the canyon. The 1-mile walk through this old-growth Ponderosa woodland adds to the spot's idealism. During the gentle grade through this breathtaking forest walking to Shoshone Point, I have seen elk and mule deer more often than not, including up to 40 elk at one time! After sunset, once the sun goes down, the temperature drops bringing out many large animals.
Shoshone Point, Grand Canyon's Hidden Sunset
Once at Shoshone, you'll notice picnic tables and barbecue pits (these are utilized for private functions, and must be reserved through the National Park Service). Here a narrow trail starts to walk you out to the point itself. I like arriving early to walk along the rim in either direction. When it's time for sunset, walk the short distance towards the rock pedestal and you will find smooth limestone outcrops that award you with over 270 degrees of canyon vistas. You will see the Colorado River, Horseshoe Mesa, and the Desert View Watchtower to the east, a 70-foot tall viewpoint that looks like a toothpick sticking up from the rim!
This narrow peninsula brings you much farther out on the rim than any other point. It provides the best vantage point for not only looking west towards the sun, but also east to watch the low light reflecting brilliant colors off the Canyon walls. This location is magnificent throughout the year while many developed points are season-specific, due to their orientation to the Canyon.
The 20-minute walk back to your vehicle allows time to reflect on the beauty of this magnificent place. Not only the beauty of the Canyon but also the forest, its animals and the stars above! Be sure to look up as it gets dark for the blanket of stars as they reveal a night sky rivaled by nowhere else. High elevation and far from any major development with lights, the Grand Canyon has some of the lowest measured light pollution in the US, allowing for a whole different light show during the darkness of night!
If you're looking to discover the Grand Canyon at sunset, be sure to check out our Grand Canyon tour options.
Mike is an adventure enthusiast that enjoys mountain biking the trails of Sedona, AZ, hiking with friends and family, and fishing throughout North America. His knowledge of the Southwest and best things to do around the area is an asset to travelers from around the world.
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Through the front door and down the stairs of a Canton home, you will find the engineering lab of Greet-O-Matic and it's 10-year-old CEO, Christian Blankenbaker.
"I was tired of opening up greeting cards first [before the presents,] it was annoying," Blankenbaker said.
Greeting cards, so last century.
Christian's idea: create a digital greeting card that will play the moment the present is opened. That's when he brought his dad on board.
"I worked with him, got his ideas on what he wanted to call it;he named it," Phillip Blankenbaker said. "He came up with the logo and created the prototype."
That's when Greet-o-Matic was officially born. After several prototypes, this was the result.
"Happy birthday Ta! You rock! from Christian Blankenbaker."
Turns out, our Local 4 photographer, Ta Johnson, has a birthday on Monday. So Christian demonstrated how it works. After he recorded that message, he wrapped it up along with a present.
Once Ta opened the gift, and the device hit the light, it played his message.
Dad and son recently launched their project on Kickstarter. Through the help of more than 100 backers, they've surpassed their funding goal and then some.
"It's pretty cool," Phillip Blankenbaker said. "He's certainly doing more than I was when I was 10. I'm really proud of him."
The next step for the company is to begin producing the Greet-o-matics and start sending them out in September.


Juliet Chung broke the news that Deutsche Bank AG is in advanced talks to sell its minority stake in London-based hedge-fund firm Arrowgrass Capital Partners LLP to Foundation Capital Partners, according to sources. Foundation is expected to pay between $100 million and $200 million for a more than 20% stake in Arrowgrass, which would include Deutsche Bank's 17.5% share, plus additional equity.
Deutsche Bank AG is in advanced talks to sell its minority stake in London-based hedge-fund firm Arrowgrass Capital Partners LLP to Foundation Capital Partners, according to people familiar with the matter.
Foundation, a private-equity firm, is expected to pay between $100 million and $200 million for a more than 20% stake in Arrowgrass, which would include Deutsche Bank's 17.5% share, plus additional equity, one of the people said. The deal could wrap up as soon as this month and would value Arrowgrass, which manages about $5 billion as a multistrategy fund, at more than $500 million.
In return, Foundation would share in the stream of management and performance fees brought in by Arrowgrass, which spun out of Deutsche during the financial crisis.
The deal comes amid a rise in deal-making for minority stakes in hedge funds as several firms, including Blackstone Group LP and Neuberger Berman's Dyal Capital Partners, have raised billions in private-equity funds to buy such stakes. Foundation, based in Greenwich, Conn., is headed by former Citigroup and Deutsche executive Dean Barr.
Basel III regulations that impose tougher rules on how big banks manage risks and stockpile capital are a factor encouraging Deutsche to sell its stake, one of the people said.


Happy Wednesdays We Wear art day + happy April fools day!
Can you believe that it is already April?!?! I just can't. It has snuck up on us soo fast, however- I am welcoming it with open arms. I am ready for nice weather and sunshine!
I hope you saw my pervious post, with the new #MakeYourMarkApril art journal challenge calendar. As well as links to my two new shops, on Society6 + Print All Over Me. Here you can get prints of my personal art work + get my designs on apparel + home goods!
Check them out, and let me know what you want to see more of! I have ordered a few pieces myself, and can not wait to get them in the mail. I will REALLY wear ART on Wednesdays [wink]! A couple of gals have already order some dresses too and I absolutely can not wait to see someone walking around in one of my paintings! If you order something, snap a pic when you get it + use the hashtag #shopMFC + tag me @myfriendcourt so that I may see!
So this week, my artist inspiration is Frank Stella. In my eyes, he truly is a color maven. I remember in high school when I first came across these paintings and fell in love. His simple, yet very captivating use of color is something that speaks directly to my soul. If you know me, well enough that you've been to my house [or classroom] you would know that by NO MEANS am I a minimialist. In fact, I'm very much so a 'more is more!' kinda gal. BUT if I were to be a minimalist, this is how I would do it. Still enough color to make a modern day minimalist cringe.
Stella, like most artists- went through many stages throughout his artistic career. The paintings I am sharing with you today are from the late 1960's to early 70's. Lots of flat bright color and smoothed curved lines. He would have the canvas'/wood panels cut into these shapes, or make them pop out, 3D. Some works were painted, others were printed, and some danced the line of painting/sculpture. I would never be able to choose a favorite of his, I just know that it would be from this body of work. What do you think? Does his use of color speak to you?
Also, DON"T forget to link up with your #OnWednesdaysWeWearArt post here on my blog, as well as over on Liv's! We love all the gals who have been joining in! Below is a screen shot of the hashtag page right now. I mean how beautiful is that to your eyes! I LOVE everyones inspiring style! Shout out to @inmyredhighheels @hellrazor @tiffanyima for joining in on the fun!
So link up + use the hashtag + add a button to your page to help spread the fun and encourage other creative gals to let art inspire their wardrobe!


This funny fishing game Alice gives your big darling a "smashing" bath time! See how quickly his fine motor skills improve, thanks to the magnetic rod with which it fishes all kinds of animals. And then count the catch!
Let your little one crush in the bath.
LilliputiensLilliputiens Arnold backpack hippoWith Lilliputiens Arnold backpack each trip will be a real adventure. In the many colorful boxes you can get all your goodies pack neatly. A backpack with adjustable straps, a large front pocket and internal pocket with zipper. Ability to address data. All bags and school bags from Lilliputiens are water resistant. Starting from + 2y Size 25 x 25 x 13 cm Material 100% polyester Washable at the surfaceLOOKING FOR THIS LILLIPUTIENS ARNOLD BACKPACK HIP..
LilliputiensLilliputiens storage panel farm LilliputiensLilliputiens storage panel farm. This colorful storage Panel is easy to confirm on the car seat. It contains a lot of great and small boxes to storage the stuff of the small passenger. Your great treasure will always have his favorite toys on hand during car rides. Fun guaranteed! Arrived at destination the panel can in an instant be taken with you. All bags and school bags from Lilliputiens are water resistant. Starting from + 0 m S..
LilliputiensLilliputiens seek and hide AliceLilliputiens seek and hide Alice Where is Alice, the cute fox? Peekaboo ... Alice is a puppet and appears suddenly between the leaves to say hello and wishing your a good day to say. Look! Simon the Hedgehog, the rabbit and the babyfox are as finger players hiding in the bushes. Can you find them? Each character has their own sound so you can identify them better (paper sound, bell, beep). Play and have fun!Starting from + 6 m Size 19 x 32 cm Material..
LilliputiensLilliputiens pillow cuddle activity fox AliceLilliputiens pillow cuddle activity fox Alice. Lying or sitting what do you prefer? Your baby will get all the comfort at Alice, the soft cushion activities. Paper sound, beep, bell, mirror, teething ring ... The fox with the soft fur is full of surprises to your little one. From + 3 m Size 50 x 55 cm Material 100% polyester Machine washable 30 ° (delicate cycle)LOOKING FOR THIS LILLIPUTIENS ALICE PILLOW OR ORIGINAL TOYS - EDUCATIVE TOYS ..
LilliputiensLilliputiens doll Nicolas the wolf and the 3 little pigsLilliputiens doll Nicolas the wolf and the 3 little pigs A fairy tale told from generation to generation, a model of courage. A story that helps children overcome their fears: 3 little pigs (finger dolls) defy the big, bad wolf (hand puppet). Once the fairy tale ended, cottages and piglets safely stowed away in the belly of the hospitable wolf. Starting from + 9 m Dimension 30 x 16 x 20 cm Material 100% polyester Machine washa..
LilliputiensLilliputiens nodding rattleLilliputiens nodding rattle. Move the head of Nicolas de wolf and you hear the sound of a bell. Squeeze into it with your hand and he does "Squeak"! Each animal has its own sound and/or bell. Starting from + 0 m Size 6 x 25 x 4 cm (depending on animal slightly smaller or larger) Material 100% cotton Washable at the surfaceLOOKING FOR THIS LILLIPUTIENS RATTLE OR ORIGINAL TOYS - EDUCATIVE TOYS - TOYS FOR EVERY AGE - FUNNY COLORFUL HUGS OR DOLLS FOR THE MORE R..
LilliputiensLilliputiens action wolf NicolasLilliputiens action wolf Nicolas. Nicolas the wolf has more than one surprise in store for you! Take it down and discover its many activities: a rattles sound here, a paper sound there, a mirror under his foot, a secret hiding place for little red riding hood ... Nicolas has also a pacifier holder in his pocket so you can not get rid of him. From + 3 m Size 24 x 12 cm Material 100% polyester Machine washable 30 ° (delicate cycle)LOOKING FOR THIS LILLI..
LilliputiensLilliputiens Georges action makiLilliputiens Georges action maki. Make Georges on to the maxi-cosi using his big legs. Around its bodice offers a host of activities such as a crackling tail, a mirror, a rattle to entertain you during your trips. Starting from + 0 m Size 30 x 20 cm Material 100% polyester Machine washable 30 ° (delicate cycle)THIS LILLIPUTIENS GEORGES ACTION MAKI IS A COLORFUL CUDDLE FOR EVERY BABY. LOOKING FOR EDUCATIVE TOYS - TOYS FOR EVERY AGE - FUNNY SOFT H..
LilliputiensLilliputiens Arch of NoahLet all these Lilliputiens Arch of Noah animals, get on the arch side by side and by two and let them find shelter during the great storm surge. And this while Noah looks at all animals. This Arch is out of collection - You can buy the new model Arch of Noah blueThis Noah's arch with animals is easy to carry by your little one. It has a convenient handle and open the boot easy aside. There is also a mirror present. Starting from + 9 m Size 36 x 15 cm Materia..
LilliputiensLilliputiens the farmThe Lilliputiens farm is a portable house that you can easily take with you when you go out with your little one. On holiday with grandmother or grandfather on, your big treasure carries this farm easily thanks to the handle. Farmer Jan lives on the farm together with all his friends including Jef the dog, Vicky the cow, Ophélie the chicken, Nicky the duck, a little sheep and pig. Pull open the door of this beautiful farmhouse and discover the atmosphere and atm..
LilliputiensLilliputiens doll Nicolas the wolf and the 3 little pigsLilliputiens doll Nicolas the wolf and the 3 little pigs A Bunny is sick! Quickly get the doctor, because our bunny is sick! She probably ate something wrong. Get your doctor's bag there, and put on your doctor's coat, look at bunny's health book and examine her with the stethoscope, breathe in and out. Now a syringe and bandage and voila Bunny is healed.Starting from + 6m Dimension 23 x 27 x 15 cm Material 100% polyester Machi..
LilliputiensLilliputiens Anaïs and her baby'sThese Lilliputiens flamingo Anais and her three babies are the cutest chicks ever seen. They are all tinted pink and each chick has a different function that your little one can play with to your heart's content. There is chick Anneke who produces real chick sounds, André has a mirror where your little one can discover himself and the third chick Angel serves as a teether.Mama flamingo Anais crackles, rattles and has rings around the neck.A sweet toy ..
LilliputiensLilliputiens Georges activity makiLilliputiens Georges activity maki. Georges de maki is a super fun and soft hug. He is colorful and makes your little one laugh quickly! Let your baby or toddler quickly discover this maki.What has Georges a long crackling tail, very soft but handy to drag Georges along. Hocus pocus and he conjures a rabbit out of his pocket. The lion is transformed by a rattle, a tap on his head and you hear a bell sound. What else do you think of Georges de ma..
LilliputiensLilliputiens Georges little seatThis Lilliputiens chair with maki Georges the monkey is super nice. You quickly feel like decorating the room of your son, which makes this seat a must have for the children's room. This colorful and soft little chair from maki the monkey Georges is finished with beautiful feathers. Enjoy together with a book by Lilliputiens Georges the maki monkey in your little seat.Starting from + 6 m Size 55 x 45 x 40 cm Material 100% polyester Washable at the surf..
LilliputiensLilliputiens Arch of Noah blueLet all these Lilliputiens Arch of Noah animals, get on the arch side by side and by two and let them find shelter during the great storm surge. And this while Noah looks at all animals. This Noah's arch blue with animals is easy to carry by your little one. It has a convenient handle and open the boot easy aside. There is also a mirror present. Starting from + 18 m Size 32 x 18 x 12 cm Material 100% polyester Machine washable 30°C (delicate cyclus)LOOK..
LilliputiensLilliputiens Alice action foxLilliputiens Alice action fox.Alice the fox with all kinds of action toys seems very hard on an Indian, yeah she has faded that sweet fox of Lilliputiens.Mirror, bell, teether, paper sound ... Alice has a lot of activities with which she can please your little one and make you laugh. For example Alice has a bell and a teether, a pwet sound and a rattle, a teether and a pacifier holder, a mirror to admire and a piece of paper that makes a sound. Go and dis..


I'm running all this on a 1x933MHz Celeron with 1Gb RAM today.
Can you Gurus (said in the nicest tone ) tell me if I'm on the right track with this config?
Will I run into any snafus with the 64 bit arch? Am I braindead when I choose SATA instead of SCSI?
What do you think? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, will look into the Domino filesystem preference stuff. No other suggestions/ideas? Anyone?


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Purdue basketball freshmen continuing their defensive education
Sasha Stefanovic, Aaron Wheeler, Eric Hunter and Trevion Williams have all made strides, as has the entire Boilermaker defense.
Purdue basketball freshmen continuing their defensive education Sasha Stefanovic, Aaron Wheeler, Eric Hunter and Trevion Williams have all made strides, as has the entire Boilermaker defense. Check out this story on jconline.com: https://www.jconline.com/story/sports/college/purdue/basketball/2019/02/21/purdue-basketball-freshmen-continuing-their-defensive-education/2938857002/
Nathan Baird, Lafayette Journal & Courier Published 11:51 p.m. ET Feb. 21, 2019 | Updated 10:23 p.m. ET Feb. 22, 2019
Saturday's game: No. 15 Purdue at Nebraska, 2 p.m., BTN
Purdue ranks 37th in analyst Ken Pomeroy's adjusted defensive efficiency.
The Boilermakers rank ninth among Big Ten teams in scoring defense at 67.5 points per game.
Purdue's defensive field goal percentage of 42.6 ranks 10th among Big Ten teams.
WEST LAFAYETTE – One of Sasha Stefanovic's first lessons in basketball toughness came courtesy of La-Z-Boy.
When the Crown Point native was in fourth or fifth grade, an AAU coach brought couch cushions from his home to the team's practice. One teammate would dribble in hard to the basket, and another on defense would use a cushion to help absorb the impact while taking a charge.
The Big Ten does not permit such protective padding, and Stefanovic could use them. He has taken a handful of offensive fouls this season, both under the basket and on the perimeter. Even without that elementary-school drill, the redshirt freshman understood Purdue's rules by the time he arrived on campus two summers ago.
"The way I think of it is, if I don't play defense, I'm not going to play," Stefanovic said.
Sasha Stefanovic of Purdue and teammate Aaron Wheeler react after a Maryland turnover with 11:17 remaining December 6, 2018, at Mackey Arena. (Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)
In the post-game news conference following Purdue's 48-46 victory at Indiana on Tuesday, coach Matt Painter briefly set aside the offensive carnage to commend his team's defensive strides. When the Boilermakers kept falling short in close games in November and December, defensive lapses kept pushing potential victories out of reach.
"Obviously two months ago we couldn't have done that," Painter said of winning despite such miserable shooting. "Our defense wasn't as good two months ago as it is right now."
TIME CHANGE: Purdue men's basketball's Saturday start time at Nebraska changed to 2 p.m. Eastern
SCOUTING REPORT: No. 15 Purdue men's basketball at Nebraska
MATT PAINTER ON VULGAR CHANTS: 'Purdue needs to worry about itself'
LOOKING BACK: Purdue basketball continues 'taking care of business' trend against Nebraska
While room for defensive improvement remains, the Boilermakers' performance has trended up compared to nonconference play. Strides are modest in some areas, but Purdue's numbers in scoring defense (68.8 overall, 66.5 in Big Ten play), defensive field goal percentage (43.1 to 42.2) and 3-point defense (36.1 to 34.1) all reflect some measure of growth.
That positive trend reflects the continued improvement of freshmen Stefanovic, Aaron Wheeler, Eric Hunter and Trevion Williams. Four players at four positions, each with different skill sets, experience levels and roles.
Some are relegated to stints of two or three minutes in relief of the Boilermakers' most invaluable regulars. Their defensive reliability, however, remains critical. Purdue goes into Saturday's trip to Nebraska with five regular-season games remaining and a Big Ten championship within reach.
"I'm always defensive of guys when people pass judgment of guys that are coming off the bench and playing a role, because they don't have the same opportunity, have the same minutes, have the same looks — whatever you want to call it," Painter said.
"So you're not going to be able to have that consistency. That's why people that come off the bench who can find consistency are valuable."
Start with Stefanovic, who along with Wheeler spent last season inside the program as a redshirt. That meant he observed, on a daily basis, two-time Big Ten All-Defensive Team member Dakota Mathias. At 6-4, 195 pounds and with similar perimeter shooting skills, Stefanovic saw a blueprint for the kind of impact he hoped to make.
He wanted a closer look, however, so he asked graduate assistant D.J. Byrd to gather some video clips of Mathias. Stefanovic keeps reaching back to that library to watch Mathias defending Michigan State's Miles Bridges, Ohio State's Keita Bates-Diop and others who progressed to the NBA.
"I thought I was getting a lot better," Stefanovic said. "Once I started to watch a little more of that film, I noticed certain things he did to compensate. The angles he took and the way he would funnel his guys towards a certain way was something I looked at and thought it was impressive."
Ishmael el-Amin of Ball State with a drive to the basket against Aaron Wheeler of Purdue Saturday, November 10, 2018, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Ball State 84-75. (Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)
'Student of the game'
Stefanovic and Wheeler both used that redshirt year to improve physically. The 6-9, 200-pound Wheeler still has a ways to go before he can match some of the traditional power forward bodies in the Big Ten.
His work-in-progress plan for defensive improvement involves using the assets he does have — quickness and athleticism — to compensate. Eventually he hopes he gains trust from the coaching staff to defend other positions as well. First he has to show he can keep his hips closed and move laterally to keep opponents in front of him.
Painter said Wheeler, who struggled to contain the dribble early against smaller opponents, has raised his level of play over the past month.
"It's important for him to understand how long he is," Painter said. "He's done a good job of contesting shots and flying at guys when he's behind, but also trying to do all his work early against somebody who's got some physical strengths on him. ... Because if you get into a wrestling match, more often than not, you're going to lose that wrestling match."
Painter also complimented Wheeler for how much he has become "a student of the game." By spending his first season in the program on the scout team, Wheeler appreciated the importance of game prep.
"I feel like I've gotten a lot better (defensively) since the beginning of the season, and a part of that is studying the scout," Wheeler said. :If you go into a test, you should know what to expect. Knowing their plays; knowing when a play starts what they're going to get into so you're ahead of the play. I think I built on that coming in."
Jan 23, 2019; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard C.J. Jackson (3) drives against Purdue Boilermakers guard Eric Hunter Jr. (2) during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Joseph Maiorana, Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports)
'The hardest job'
Stefanovic will gladly lock his feet and take a charge for Purdue. The job he doesn't want? That belongs to teammate Eric Hunter.
Subbing in for starter Nojel Eastern, Hunter's task is to pick up the opposing point guard on the inbounds and hound him from one end of the court to the next.
"It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done in basketball at first," said Hunter, a true freshman from Indianapolis Tindley, a Class A program.
The 6-3, 170-pound Hunter said some teammates don't appreciate that challenge until they experience it for themselves in summer workouts. Those 94 feet of relentless pressure tend to wear on the player both giving and receiving it. Hunter has the benefit of coming in fresh in short bursts and putting maximum effort into his job, often while matched up with All-Big Ten-caliber lead guards.
Painter recognizes those demands take a toll on a freshman, which is why he is willing to wait on Marian County's all-time leading scorer to get his points down the road.
In addition to the grind, Hunter sees a mathematical benefit. If a team gets into its offense with 21 or 22 seconds on the shot clock instead of 26, he did his job.
Stefanovic said people may not recognize Hunter's defensive prowess yet because Eastern receives so much attention for his own shut-down performances. He expects that to change by next season.
"It's the hardest job you can really have in our defense," Stefanovic said. "When he comes in with energy right away to full-court press every single possession, it's impressive and he does it really well."
Action from Purdue's 89-54 win over Rutgers at Purdue University in West Lafayette on January 15, 2019. Trevion Williams (Photo: Frank Oliver/For the Journal & Courier)
'One step at a time'
Unlike the other three freshmen, Williams worked his way into the starting lineup. While a recent bout of strep throat knocked him back into a reserve role, the 6-9, 280-pound big man from Chicago by way of Detroit helped change the Boilermakers' season by establishing a traditional low-post presence early in games.
Except, on a couple of occasions, when a quick foul had Painter calling Matt Haarms' name and waving to the scorer's table. Painter said he adopted that approach after a 2014 loss to Kansas State in the Maui Invitational. He failed to sub out A.J. Hammons quickly enough after the center picked up his first foul, and the repercussions of the second foul affected the rest of the game.
In Williams' last start, on Feb. 12 at Maryland, he fouled Bruno Fernando only 63 seconds into the game.
"The foul he got was him not being ready after we told him, right as he caught the ball, I'm screaming at him, 'He's going to take you,'" Painter said. "And he takes him and he gets a foul and he was shocked by it.
"It was a good learning lesson. He's got to be in a stance and be ready and understand he's got to play with his feet when his guy has the ball on the perimeter."
Williams' development started later than the rest of the freshmen. The first third of the season passed before he began receiving rotation minutes. Since Big Ten play resumed he's faced a long list of the best bigs in the league — most of whom are not limited to a back-to-the-basket approach.
"It's one step at a time in practice, and it carries over to the game," Williams said. "I've been playing so many opponents — Bruno Fernando and (Michigan State's) Nick Ward and (Wisconsin's) Ethan Happ. Each game you get a feel for a different guy or a different big. I pick up something new every time I play a different opponent."
That's four freshmen with four very different bodies and four unique roles within the game plan.
Stefanovic, however, pointed out one common thread.
"We always talk about getting ourselves going defensively," Stefanovic said. "If you get yourself going within the flow defensively, you lock in first there and the offense falls into place."
Contact Journal & Courier Purdue men's basketball insider Nathan Baird at nbaird@jconline.com or 765-420-5234. Follow on Twitter: @nbairdjc
Late charge not enough as Purdue falls at No. 17 Maryland
Eastern's glue kept Purdue together but Boilermakers can't avoid another road loss
Walters lifts Harrison over WL in 2OT
WL boys win Hoosier Conference swimming title
Purdue basketball vs. Maryland video highlights
Who are the referees for Purdue vs. Maryland?


text:
Surface Hydrophobization of Micro- and Nanofibrillated Cellulose and Blending Property in PLA Nanocomposites
P. Samyn
University of Freiburg - Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, DE
Keywords: cellulose, bionanocomposite, hydrophobization, blending
Cellulose fibers are advantageous reinforcing materials for bio-based composites because of their availability and good mechanical properties. Several chemical processes have been developed to turn the native fibers into micro- (MFC) or nanofibrillated (NFC) cellulose fibers. Further surface modification of the micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose is done by the deposition of hydrophobic nanoparticles onto the fiber surface, allowing to tune the required hydrophobicity of the cellulose additives and to make them compatible with, e.g. PLA. The fibrillated cellulose fibers were modified by an in-situ reaction with styrene maleic anhydride, ammonium hydroxide and plant wax under aqueous environment. The possibility for blending the modified fibers were first examined with oscillatory rheological experiments: it has been observed that homogeneous mixtures of PLA/MFC can be obtained depending on the strain and frequency regimes in the rheometer. Optimum concentrations of modified fibers to obtain good mixtures were at around 1 to 2 %. Finally, the modified fibers could be successfully mixed with the polymer matrix during an extrusion and injection moulding experiment. The standard mechanical properties of the PLA/MFC nanocomposites were determined from a stress-strain experiment, where it is seen that the reinforcement of the polymer matrix is optimum at 1 % fiber content.


text:
EP78: How Ashley Makes Friends
Published by Admin on April 23, 2020 April 23, 2020
Hello, Lovelies! Welcome to the week where Rebecca decided she didn't want to research and let someone else do it for her (apparently her laziness outweighs her need for control). Below you will find the notes Rebecca read from (verbatim) along with sources and images she could find.
Today we're going to try to explain why Rebecca's here. And it wasn't because of a game of Twister in small town Georgia.
1973. The biggest collars ever are on every shirt, bell bottoms were in fashion and no man knew how to button his shirt past his belly button. Tweed was popular for the first time outside of academia and a woman's hair had its own personality.
Now that we've set the scene, let's continue.
A man walks into Sveriges Kreditbank located in the upscale Norrmalmstorg square shortly after it opened. There's loads of people there- about 40 employees and a handful of customers, but this particular man seems to stick out. He carries a large canvas suitcase in one arm and a coat in the other.
This might seem weird, as it's the 23rd of August, but his amazing sense of style continued with a thick brown wig, black eyebrows and mustache and set of toy glasses. This man is Jan-Erik Olsson and, despite being born in Sweden, he spoke English with an American accent as he pulled a loaded sub-machine gun from under his coat, shot at the ceiling and yelled "The party has just begun!"
Sveriges Kreditbank was one of Stockholm's largest banks and this act would set off a 6-day hostage crisis. Yeah. We're talking about the Norrmalmstorg robbery- the event that led to the creation of the term "Stockholm syndrome".
A little background on Olsson:
He was born April 16th, 1941 in Ekeby, outside Helsingborg, Sweden. He was known to local authorities as a thief and safe cracker with a tendency for explosives. The year before (1972), he had been convicted of grand larceny in probably the best way possible. He got caught robbing an older couple's house in Helsingborg.
(A/N: Shush that's not why it's great.)
The husband was so shocked at the event (which like, super fair considering everything), he keeled over right there and then. His wife asked Olsson to rush into the kitchen and get her husband's heart medicine. Which he did. Olsson then went ahead and returned to looting the couple's home before leaving with a bunch of their stuff. (I can't find anything on the status of the couple, I'm sure they were fine afterwards. Probably.) This stunt landed him 3 years in a prison in south Stockholm. (A/N: So probably Chaotic Good?)
As you might have noticed, the date of his conviction and the date of the robbery are awfully close and not separated by the length of his full sentence. That's because in Sweden prisoners get "furlough" or "leave" time where they can leave prison for a few days at a time. This is in an effort to ease people back into their everyday lives. (A/N: ??? in Confused Ignorant American but apparently Sweden is the leader in prison reform so jokes on us, our prison system's fucked anyway).
The problem here is… the prisoners are supposed to come back.
Olsson didn't do that.
Instead he robbed a bank.
Tomayto tomahto.
Anyway. Back to the party.
Most of the people in the bank dropped to the floor, but some hid in the back while others ran out of the bank into the public square. Olsson casually walked up to the teller counter, pulled out a transistor radio from his suitcase and turned it on full blast, turning it to a rock music station. He then ordered a male employee to tie up, Kristin E(h)nmark (a 23 year old stenographer, who was at the bank to deliver a letter), Brigitta Lundbland (31 bank employee) and Elisabeth Oldgren (21 bank cashier).
(Kristin later said that she thought she was seeing something that could only happen in America and like. Ouch. But also yeahhhhh)
Olsson shouted "I want to talk to the police!" and was soon met by a plains-clothed sergeant Morgan Rylander who was in the area and picked up the signal set off by a tripped silent alarm. Rylander identified himself as a police officer and Olsson asked him if he was a high ranking/important.
Rylander said no, but he offered to call one to come to the scene. Olsson allowed it, going up to the 2nd floor of the bank where the offices were (and where the police would start setting up a base camp as there was a back entrance on that floor). While this happened, plains-clothed Detective Inspector Ingemar Warpefeldt appeared on the 2nd floor… with a revolver.
Even though Olsson didn't see him, Brigitta did and told the detective inspector not to shoot. After Warpefeldt introduced himself and ordered Olsson to drop his gun, Olsson shot him in the right hand (#coolcoolcool) before allowing the officer to retreat. Rylander came back and said another officer was coming to the bank.
Olsson seemed okay with this development, so he ordered him to sit and then, at gunpoint, to sing a song. Rylander chose Elvis Presley's "Lonesome Cowboy" (A/N: because Presley was American and thought Olsson would like hearing a tune ~familiar~ to him). Pleased enough with the performance, Olsson then ordered Rylander to take everyone but the three tied up women out of the bank in groups of 2 and 3 before ordering him to leave (A/N: I'm assuming Rylander went off to change into a fresh pair of underwear).
Police Superintendent Sven Thorander had arrived on the scene and was important enough for Olsson to care. When they started negotiating, Olsson demanded:
the release of Clark Olofsson, a 26 year old man who was serving a 6 year sentence for armed robbery and acting as an accessory in the murder of a policeman in Norrköping penitentiary
3 million kronor or $710,000 (A/N: Inflation values in 2020: ~20.89 Million Kronor or 4.3 Million USD)(hard hikes, Kronor currency)
2 pistols
bullet proof vests
a fast getaway car
the ability to leave the bank safely with the hostages.
Later that day the police delivered Clark, the ransom and even a blue Mustang with a full tank of gas to the bank but refused to let them leave with the hostages. They also provided a telephone so that everyone inside the bank could communicate with the outside world (A/N: I think because all the telephones in the bank already were on the 2nd floor where the police were so this one was kept on the 1st floor/where Olsson and Clark were).
Once Olsson and Clark reconnected in the bank, Olsson seemed a bit more at ease- he even untied the hostages, although they moved everyone into the inner main vault and barricaded it. The vault was near the toilets, a staircase to talk to the police on the 2nd floor and safely hidden away from snipers. When he patrolled the perimeter with his gun (he called it "my lawyer"), he always kept hostages close to him so that snipers surrounding the bank could never get a clean shot. Clark took on the role of 'good cop' pretty soon after his arrival, always emphasizing that everything would be fine, often comforting the women.
But he was still working with Olsson, so he was doing what he was told (and running with it, a bit). During one of Clark's patrols around the bank, he found junior bank employee Sven Säfström (age 25) who had hidden himself in the stockroom. Realizing that it would be more problematic to let him go, Sven was told "Well, come and have a drink with us" and became the 4th hostage.
Through the first day, Olsson and Clark were practically pleasant to be around. They were acting in ways that comforted the hostages. After the initial sequestering in the vault, Elisabeth started complaining about claustrophobia so Olsson gave her a 30 foot rope to tie around her neck (aka: a leash) so she could walk around outside the vault. Once when Kristin and Birgitta went to the bathroom (unleashed), police asked them how many hostages were being held. Kristin showed them, using her fingers, but was already starting to feel conflicted, later saying "I felt like a traitor. I didn't know why."
Things got weirder as time went on, too. That night, Kristin was awoken by a chill in the vault and Olsson gave her his wool jacket, soothed her from a bad dream and gave her a bullet as a keepsake. When trying to talk to their families on the phone, Birgitta could only reach her dagmamma (day mother) but Olsson soothed her by telling her to keep trying and to not give up.
By the second day, all the hostages were on a first name basis with the captors and generally had a negative attitude towards the police outside, accusing them of playing with their lives. Kristin told reporters "We are more afraid of the policemen than these two boys[…] We are discussing, and, believe it or not, having a rather good time here. Why can't they let the boys drive off with us in the car."
But Olsson still had a point to prove and a goal to achieve. He threatened to shoot Sven to show to the police they weren't fucking around. Except he said he wouldn't kill Sven (as he had originally planned), but he'd aim very carefully and only shoot him in the leg. All he had to do was go to the bottom of the staircase on Olsson's signal so he could be shot and fall within eyesight of the police. But don't worry- he could drink all the beer on hand until the signal came to steel himself.
Sven thought this was actually a kind act to only shoot him in the leg, although he remained apprehensive and had to keep reminding himself of his situation. Kristin even told him "But Sven, it's just in the leg."
When the police commissioner went inside the bank to inspect the health status of all the hostages, he noted that they were very relaxed around the gunmen but hostile towards him, as they had developed a "rather relaxed relationship". This confirmed his theory that the men would actually harm the hostages which he then relayed to the press…
…Who were going insane. This was the first criminal event in Sweden to be covered by live TV and was everywhere. Both Olsson and the hostages ended up speaking to the press using the phones inside the bank.
Olsson's bonkers quote:
"The police are to blame for the whole mess… All I did was to get into the bank—well, a robbery, of course, but that's my job," Olsson said. "And then two policemen came heading towards me waving guns. Of course I shot. That's how it started." (emphasis my own)
Kristin even spoke to the Prime Minister: "I fully trust Clark and [Olsson][…] I am not desperate. They haven't done a thing to us. On the contrary, they have been very nice. But, you know[…] what I am scared of is that the police will attack and cause us to die."
The police decided they needed more information (like, where exactly in the bank everyone is located- the 2nd floor base camp didn't provide much in terms of view, so its strategic importance is meh and was mostly used for talking down the staircase). So on the 3rd day the police (basically) peek open a door and take a look around to see everyone inside the vault. (A/N: The actual description is "Then a policeman comes with a creative idea. He takes a long iron bar, goes to the railing and climbs a chair from which he can reach the door and open it so that they can see inside". But I have no idea what that means)
So they go ahead and close the door to the vault, locking everyone inside. In the dark. Olsson and Clark counter by blocking the door with two cabinets.
(A/N: Ok so can we take a minute here to talk about something? Sure they had food and some drinks… but now they have no toilets. And they're in the dark. Do you poop in a corner? How do you know what corner to poop in? Even when your eyes adjust, this is still pretty shitty. And the smell… jfc ok I'm done)
Due to all the press coverage, the public wanted in on this and couldn't get enough. And because humans never change, the public thought they had better ideas than people doing their jobs (A/N: cough cough scientists, CDC, WHO, *rages in self isolation*) and came up with some genius suggestions to handle retrieving the hostages (with questionable safety of everyone involved). These ideas include:
Set up a concert of religious tunes by a Salvation Army
Sending in a swarm of angry bees to sting Olsson and Clark into submission. A/N:
Putting soap on all the floors so everyone would slip and fall
Fill up the vault with tennis balls so the criminals couldn't move
(A/N: Ok so I'm probably on a list now. But I went around and found an instructables for building your own bank vault. Well, a company would build it based on specifics. Based on what I could gather, it's not uncommon for a bank vault to be 7 feet tall. I found a number that said 19 feet wide was an acceptable/average width and the depth, while variable, could be the same as the width as a square vault also isn't uncommon.
Base assumptions for the math: The vault is empty, no furniture or humans.
This might account for the fact this theoretical vault is smaller than the actual vault which I could not find specs on.
You'd need 474,494 tennis balls to fill a vault that size. Which, today in 2020, will cost about $1.147 million on Amazon. (This is $197,249.90 in 1973)
So that's the minimum cost to execute this plan, especially because the actual bank vault would probably be bigger.
You could buy so many Midnight Milky Ways with that money.
As amazing as these ideas were, on the 4th day, the police decided to go in a more tear gas-y direction. They start drilling through the half-meter thick ceiling of the vault to help pass supplies to the hostages (and also in preparation for use of tear gas).
Sidebar: Until this point, everyone thought the main robber was a man named Kaj Hansson, a known bank robber with a thick southern Swedish accent on the run from prison. They even brought his brother in earlier in the week to try to talk to the captors. This wasn't corrected until the real Kaj Hansson called the police from Hawaii and was like ".. yeah nope, that's not me". Actually, he was so offended that he "indignantly denied that he would stoop to so foul a deed as taking hostages. For his trouble, he was extradited and returned to a Swedish jail". (A/N: WHY IS THIS SO FUNNY)
The holes in the vault ceiling are covered by bullet proof glass after Olsson tries to shoot a police officer who tries to look inside (but he's stopped by Clark before being able to fire a shot). Because of this stunt, the police demand the robbers to surrender all guns and explosives.
Weirdly enough, Olsson wasn't keen on the idea of giving up his guns or his explosives, so on the 5th day (We started on a Thursday, now it's Monday), he wires the bank door with explosives as a preventative measure. He also put a noose on each hostage, making them stand in front of safe-deposit cabinets. The ropes tied to handles of the cabinet drawers so that if tear gas was deployed, the hostage would fall and hang themselves.
With the new holes in the vault ceiling though, the police finally managed to ID Jan-Erik Olsson. They realize he's mostly known for non-violent crimes so they contact someone who owns the model of the cabinets used as a barricade to determine how hard it would be for officers to move them out of the way. (A/N: imagine being a police officer and having to do that. "Bro I think you have a specific cabinet I'm looking for. No, I don't want it, I just need to see if I can move it real quick") Once they get their answer, it's full steam ahead with their tear gas plan.
On day 6, Olsson manages to shoot through the holes in the ceiling, hitting officer Olle Abrahamsson in the arm and his face. Olsson and Clark were really pleased by this, despite the fact that the officer survived his injuries.
Thanks to faulty equipment, the rescue operation was delayed until 21:05. Police reached out to the radio station and asked them specifically not to share details of the mission. Because Olsson had a radio with him. And listening to the radio stations reporting on police plans. (Remember? Rock music?) (A/N: This is the worst operational security I've ever seen wtf)
Faulty equipment continues to plague the mission as the tear gas doesn't work as expected (or at all?). Despite this, Olsson surrenders anyway. 32 minutes after the gas was deployed, he gave up his gun and all his explosives through the holes in the ceiling.
The police wanted the hostages to come out first but the four refused- Kristin even yelled out "No, Jan and Clark go first—you'll gun them down if we do!" After the police agree to have the Olsson and Clark go first, the convicts and hostages hugged, kissed and shook hands in the doorway of the vault (#JealousInQuarantine).
Olsson was the first to leave after the 130 hour standoff. Two of the female hostages begged the police "Don't hurt them- they didn't harm us." Kristin even reached out to Clark as he was being arrested, shouting "I will see you again". (A/N Sidenote: Kristin and Clark seemed really close through this entire incident, more so than the other hostages. Couldn't tell you why. But I personally think Kirstin was affected the most by this experience)
Both Olsson and Clark were charged, convicted and sentenced with extended prison sentences for the event, although Clark eventually got his overturned since he technically didn't help Olsson and was only doing what he was told/was brought in from prison to do this. Olsson was sentenced to 10 years and served his full sentence and, as of 2006, has been a pretty up-and-up type of guy since then.
That being said, the protective behavior of the hostages didn't stop at the vault. They routinely visited their captors while they were in prison, and they all refused to testify against any of their captors in court- they actually raised money for their defense.
So…. What was going on?
No one really knew. Not even the hostages themselves. Elisabeth spoke with a psychiatrist the next day and asked "Is there something wrong with me? Why don't I hate them?"
At the time, Dr. Lennart Ljonggren described their condition as similar to victims of the shock of war. Swedish psychiatrist Nils Bejerot- who was present during the robbery- determined that the hostages' actions were due to brainwashing, keying the term Norrmalmstorgssyndromet. Due to the fact that's unpronounceable to anyone outside of Sweden, it was later known as Stockholm syndrome.
Encyclopedia Britannica says "The survival instinct is at the heart of Stockholm syndrome […] Victims live in enforced dependence and interpret rare or small acts of kindness in the midst of horrible conditions as good treatment."
The first use of Stockholm syndrome in a legal sense was in 1974 in the case of kidnapped newspaper heiress Patty Hearst where she claimed it as a defense (spoiler alert: It didn't work).
*** Although it is widely known, 'Stockholm syndrome' is not recognized by the APA and is often contested. In fact, when asked if he believed in the idea of Stockholm syndrome in 2013, Olsson said "What the heck is a syndrome anyway? I don't know."
And that is the story of the Norrmalmstorg robbery, the origin of Stockholm syndrome and why Rebecca shouldn't offer to let friends write her notes.
(The most detailed article ever, to the point I stopped with it as a narrative device cuz it's too long)
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1974/11/25/the-bank-drama
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/six-day-hostage-standoff-gave-rise-stockholm-syndrome-180964537/
https://trevl.eu/article/norrmalmstorg-robbery-which-defined-the-stockholm-syndrome
https://www.history.com/news/stockholm-syndrome
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norrmalmstorg_robbery
https://www.thelocal.se/20130821/49754
Tags: BallsBeesHostageHostagesJan-ErikKreditbankNorrmalmstorgOlssonSafeStockholmSverigesSwedenSyndromeTennis
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text:
The UN Assesses Progress On Infrastructure Projects Globally
One-Third of UK Construction Companies Are Short-Staffed
Home News OpenSpace Announces Series C Funding to Expand Automated Construction Progress Tracking and...
OpenSpace Announces Series C Funding to Expand Automated Construction Progress Tracking and Accelerate International Expansion
OpenSpace, the global leader in 360° construction photo documentation and analysis, announced a $55M Series C funding round, led by Alkeon Capital Management. The funding comes at an exciting time for the company, which also announced recently that it's expanding access to the ClearSight Progress Tracking platform to its full customer base. Additional participants in the round include PSP Partners, GreenPoint Partners and New World Development, as well as returning investors Lux Capital, Menlo Ventures, JLL Spark, Navitas Capital and Zigg Capital.
Over the past year, accelerated global adoption of digitization and remote work has fueled growth for OpenSpace, which has seen revenue triple, customer count increase by more than 150%, and customer site captures increase by more than 300% during that time. The value of having a digital version of a job site that can be viewed remotely and shared among collaborators has become clear, reflected in the fact that customers have now used OpenSpace to capture more than four billion square feet of imagery from active construction projects around the world. With automated photo documentation becoming standard on leading construction sites, the industry has also begun embracing AI-powered analysis of site imagery to automatically generate reporting and tracking. OpenSpace's ClearSight analytics suite, including Progress Tracking, represents this next evolution of quantified construction.
Progress Tracking is part of OpenSpace's ClearSight analytics suite, and has been used by several customers prior to its wider rollout to the full customer base. Using computer vision processes like semantic segmentation and object detection, OpenSpace's software can analyze site images and automatically determine what percent of planned work has been completed by builders. The analysis can be broken down across vectors like date and time, floor level, or trade (electrical, mechanical, drywall and more), giving stakeholders an instant view into how much work has been completed, when and where. Progress Tracking helps keep builders on pace with proposed timelines, flags possible delays early, and makes administrative processes like verifying work completed and approving pay applications much easier.
"Alkeon has been investing in leading construction technology companies for more than a decade. Based on our experience and extensive market research, it quickly became clear to us that OpenSpace is not only the leader in the emerging field of automated site capture/analytics, but also one of the most dynamic construction technology companies in the world," said Mark McLaughlin, General Partner at Alkeon. "OpenSpace's combination of advanced AI technology, an easy-to-use platform, and an exciting product roadmap positions the company well for further growth in this rapidly-advancing industry. And we believe this is one of the strongest executive teams in vertical software—one we're excited to back for years to come."
The funding comes less than one year after OpenSpace announced a $15.9M Series B and brings the total amount the company has raised to $88.3M. OpenSpace will use the funding to further expand its ClearSight analytics suite into areas like safety management and quality control, as well as accelerating its international expansion. After successfully bringing widespread digitization to construction through 360° capture, OpenSpace's goal is to further empower builders by transforming images into a new class of analytics that increase transparency, improve efficiency, and make it possible to benchmark performance and transfer learnings across projects.
"One of the reasons we're excited about OpenSpace is that the image-based platform can be easily used on projects around the world, with minimal barriers to adoption for new regions or languages," said GreenPoint Partners General Partner Ryan Shmeizer. "The technology resonates with our partner network of leading global real estate owners, who appreciate the ability to virtually view and understand progress at their job sites at any time, from anywhere."
"We have a long history of investing and operating businesses across real estate and technology, and understand both the promise and challenges of innovation," said former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, founder and chairman of PSP Partners. "What stood out to us about OpenSpace is its rapid adoption across industry leaders, including our own construction teams. This level of validation is rare for a young company and a promising indicator of its future potential."
"Our vision is to remove time-consuming and tedious work from construction so that builders can focus on building," said OpenSpace CEO and co-founder Jeevan Kalanithi. "We're creating technology tools that augment builders' capabilities so they can do more—better, faster and with less stress. The core product improves transparency and objectivity on projects by creating a single source of truth for site status. The new products analyze that data to massively cut down on the administrative work builders have to do, and generate insights that have just been too difficult to derive until now."
About OpenSpace
Founded in 2017, OpenSpace is a San Francisco-based tech company that is on a mission to bring new levels of transparency and objectivity to construction. Our solutions combine simple 360° cameras, computer vision and AI to make it incredibly easy to capture a complete visual record of the jobsite, share it via the cloud and track progress. To date, our customers have used our platform to capture more than four billion square feet of imagery from active construction projects across thousands of sites in over fifty countries.??
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text:
Hanna Wilbur's
Story of Jesus and The Third Loaf of Bread
This is one of my favorite stories.
You would want to listen to it by clicking here:
Jesus and The Third Loaf of Bread ( Voice: Yusuf Estes )
Or read it here…
Once upon a time, Jesus (peace be upon him) gave some money to one of his companions and he told him to go into town and get some food for everybody. And the man took the money, he went into town close by, bought the food. There wasn't much money and all he was able to buy was three loafs of bread. And he was very-very hungry. And he realized that there was just these three loafs of bread.
So he decided to eat one loaf of the bread himself and then when he got back he just handed the bread over to Jesus asking, "Who ate the third loaf of bread?" And immediately the man said, "But there are only two loafs of bread."
And Jesus (Peace and Blessings Upon him) didn't say anything else but they continued on their journey with their companions.
Later on, the companions succeeded in hunting a deer, and they killed the deer, cooked it, and ate it. Then Jesus (PBUH) stood up and asked Allah to bring the deer back to life. And in less than a second the deer jumped back up and ran away. The people were amazed.
So then Jesus looked at the man who had gone after the bread and he said, "I'm asking you by the One who brought this deer back to life: Who ate the third loaf of bread?"
And immediately the man said, "There were only two loafs of bread."
Again, Jesus (PBUH) didn't say anything and they continued on the journey.
While they were walking they came across a river that has been flooded up. Jesus (PBUH) asked them to hold his hand so everyone joined hands with him and they were able to walk on top of the river and walk all the way to the side. When they got to the side the people were amazed.
Jesus then said to the same man, "I'm asking you, by the One who made it for us to be able to cross this river (by walking from on top of it): Who ate the third loaf of bread?"
And immediately he (the man) said, "Listen, there were only two loafs of bread."
So Jesus didn't say anything again and they went on.
Then they came to a dessert and Jesus (PBUH) took three big piles of sand, then he asked Allah to change it into gold. Suddenly the piles of sand became piles of gold, and he said, "One pile is for me, and one pile is for you, and the third pile is gonna be for the one who ate the third loaf of bread!"
The man quickly said, "I'm the one who ate the third loaf of bread."
So Jesus said, "Then all three piles of gold are for you but do not accompany us anymore."
But the man didn't care, he was so happy and started dreaming about what he was going to do with it. Suddenly three thieves came and saw a man sitting alone with this huge pile of gold. First thing they did, they killed him, then they divided the gold.
They sent one of them to go to town to get something to eat then plan out their future. So one of the thieves went to town and bought some food. This guy poisoned the food so that when he comes back, his friend will die of the poisoned food and he can have all the gold for himself.
But his friend that he left behind were also plotting against him and decided that when this man comes back they will kill him, then divided his share of the gold.
When the man came back, the two killed him, then they ate the food he brought and both died of poison.
When Jesus (PBUH) came back with his companions, they passed by the very same spot, and there they saw their former companion lying on the ground and the other three thieves lying on the ground too, with all the three piles of gold.
And he pointed to this and said, "This is the life of this world (al-hayat ad-dunia) and this is what would do for those who seek after it."
End quote from the prophet about this story:
"Whoever chases after this world then Allah will make it so that all that he is going to do is keep being aware of how poor he is and let his affairs become falling apart; nothing will come to this man of this world accept what is destined for him."
Related quote:
Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "By Allah, I am not afraid that you will be poor, but I fear that worldly wealth will be bestowed upon you as it was bestowed upon those who lived before you. So you will compete amongst yourselves for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it did them."
[Bukhari]
Posted on May 21, 2018 May 21, 2018 by punyahannawilburPosted in UncategorizedLeave a comment
An Apple a Day – Nutritional Therapy in History
The history of science is the history of struggle against entrenched error. Many of the world's greatest discoveries initially were rejected by the scientific community. And those who pioneered those discoveries often were ridiculed and condemned as quacks or charlatans.
Columbus was bitterly attacked for believing the Earth was round. Bruno was burned at the stake for claiming that Earth was not the center of the Universe. Galileo was imprisoned for teaching that the Earth moved around the Sun. Even the Wright Brothers were ridiculed for claiming that a machine could fly.
In the field of medicine, in the year 130 A.D., the physician Galen announced certain anatomic theories that later proved to be correct, but at the time he was bitterly opposed and actually forced to flee from Rome to escape the frenzy of the mob. In the Sixteenth Century, the physician Andreas Vesalius was denounced as an impostor and heretic because of his discoveries in the field of human anatomy. His theories were accepted after his death but, at the time, his career was ruined, and he was forced to flee from Italy. William Harvey was disgraced as a physician for believing that blood was pumped by the heart and moved around the body through arteries. William Roentgen, the discoverer of X-rays, at first was called a quack and then condemned out of fear that his "ray" would invade the privacy of the bedroom. William Jenner, when he first developed a vaccine against smallpox. Also was called a quack and was strongly criticized as a physician for his supposedly cruel and inhuman experiments on children. And Ignaz Semmelweis was fired from his Vienna hospital post for requiring his maternity staff to wash their hands.
Centuries ago it was not unusual for entire naval expeditions to be wiped out by scurvy. Between 1600 and 1800 the casualty list of the British Navy alone was over one million sailors. Medical experts of the time were baffled as they searched in vain for some kind of strange bacterium, virus, or toxin that supposedly lurked in the dark holds of the ships. And yet, for hundreds of years, the cure was already known and written in the record.
In the winter of 1535, when the French explorer Jacques Cartier found his ships frozen in the ice off the St. Lawrence River, scurvy began to take its deadly toll. Out of a crew of one hundred and ten, twenty-five already had died, and most of the others were so ill they weren't expected to recover.
And then a friendly Indian showed them the simple remedy. Tree bark and needles from the white pine—both rich in ascorbic acid, or vitamin C—were stirred into a drink which produced immediate improvement and swift recovery.
Upon returning to Europe, Cartier reported this incident to the medical authorities. But they were amused by such "witch –doctor cures of ignorant savages" and did nothing to follow it up.[1]
Yes, the cure for scurvy was known. But, because scientific arrogance, it took over two hundred years and cost hundreds of thousands of lives before the medical experts began to accept and apply this knowledge.
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Finally, in 1747, John Lind, a young surgeon's mate in the British Navy discovered that oranges and lemons produced relief from scurvy and recommended that the Royal Navy include citrus fruits in the stores of all its ships. And yet, it still took forty-eight more years before his recommendation was put into effect. When it was, of course, the British were able to surpass all other sea-fearing nations, and the "Limeys" (so-called because they carried limes aboard ship) soon became the rulers of the Seven Seas. It is no exaggeration to say that the greatness of the British Empire in large measure was the direct result of overcoming scientific prejudice against vitamin therapy.
The twentieth century has proven to be no exception to this pattern. Only two generations ago large portions of the American Southeast were decimated by the dread disease of pellagra. The well-known physician Sir William Osler, in his Principles and Practice of Medicine, explained that in one institution for the insane in Leonard, North Carolina, one-third of the inmates died of this disease during winter months. This proved, he said, that pellagra was contagious and caused probably by an as yet undiscovered virus. As far back as 1914, however, Dr. Joseph Goldberger had proven that this condition was related to diet, and later showed that it could be prevented simply by eating liver or yeast. But it wasn't until the 1940's—almost thirty years later—that the "modern" medical world fully accepted pellagra as a vitamin B deficiency.[2]
The story behind pernicious anemia is almost exactly the same. The reason that these diseases were so reluctantly accepted as vitamin deficiencies is because men tend to look for positive cause-and-effect relationships in which something causes something else. They find it more difficult to comprehend the negative relationship in which nothing or the lack of something can cause an effect. But perhaps of even more importance is the realy of intellectual pride. A man who has spent his life acquiring scientific knowledge far beyond the grasp of his fellow human beings is not usually inclined to listen with patience to someone who lacks that knowledge—especially if that person suggests that the solution the scientist's most puzzling medical problem is to be found in a simple back-woods or near-primitive concoction of herbs and foods. The scientist is trained to search for complex answers and tends to look with smug amusement upon solutions that are not dependent upon his hard-earned skills.
(World Without Cancer, G. Edward Griffin, 1st edition 1974, p. 53-55)
[1] See Virgil J. Vogel's American Indian Medicine (Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1970)
[2] See Edwin H. Ackerknecht, History and Geography of the Most Important Diseases (New York: Hafner Publishing Co., Inc., 1972) pp. 148-149
Posted on September 8, 2015 by punyahannawilburPosted in UncategorizedLeave a comment
Reverent Attitude Towards nature as a Creation of God
The Indians called the white settlers, "the long knives" on account of their notorious reputation for cutting down trees and whole forests. In many parts of the old World, the same land which has been continuously cultivated by farmers for thousands of years is still fertile today but when the white colonists settled in America, the virgin soil was so badly abused that within less than a decade, it would become sterile, the pioneer would simply abandon it without any regrets and move on. In constrast, the primitive man, and especially the American Indian, had a tremendous reverence for the natural world as sacred which is why the white man found the New World an unspoiled and virgin content. Not only primitive man, but the higher religions also share this same reverence for the natural world. Islam means literally "peace", not only between men but also includes peace with animals and plants. The Qur'an reminds believers that "every animal of the earth and every creature flying on two wings are like peoples unto you and then unto Allah they shall be gathered." Once a man carelessly plucked some leaves from a tree and the Prophet Muhammad rebuked him saying: "Every leaf glorifies Allah." Another follower came to the Prophet Muhammad and confessed that he had burnt down an ant-hill because one of the ants had stung him. The Prophet Muhammad scolded him, saying that he had destroyed a community which glorifies Allah. To the modern mind this may seem sentimental but such a reverent attitude towards nature as a creation of God—not arbitrary legislation imposed from above—is the only remedy to stop air and water pollution by greedy industrialists who seek short-term commercial profit at the expense of long-range public welfare.
(Islam and Western Society, Maryam Jameelah, Adam Publishers, New Delhi, 1982, p. 95-96)
Posted on September 5, 2015 September 5, 2015 by punyahannawilburPosted in Akhlaq, IslamLeave a comment
Islamic View of Progress
On account of their Westernized education, they are unable to understand the fact that the Islamic view of life differs from modern Western ideals not only in providing different answers but even more, in asking entirely different questions. Even many of those who regard themselves as genuine Muslims who wish to promote the cause of Islam, can only think in Western terms.
Those who strive for Islamic regeneration must appeal to the nobler self in man which is as universal as his baser inclinations. Today almost everyone living in the giant urban counters subconsciously feels an intuitive emptiness in his days, a lack of purpose, direction and meaning in his existence which no amount of material goods and the frantic chase after "happiness" or enjoyment of sensual pleasures can satisfy. This is the province of religion and entirely beyond the sphere of science, at least in its present form.
The present century can rightly be described as the age of the predominance of Western philosophical thought and learning. This materialistic point of view, supported and propagated by the educational system and the mass-media in almost every country in the East and West without exception, has become global. All the influential people in positions of power and authority in the political, economic, social, educational and cultural spheres are all adhering to this viewpoint. The dominance of Western culture and philosophical thought is so pervasive and universal that even many sincere Muslims who are struggling against it in contemporary Islamic revivalist movements, turn out on closer examination to be greatly influenced by Western thought in their approach, methods and interpretation m ,/s so that they lose most of their effectiveness.
The central ideas in the Western view of life repudiate all theological and transcendental concepts, insisting instead that physical phenomena and concrete matter should become the most important objectives of human scrutiny and any quest after God, soul, absolute morality and salvation in the Hereafter would find no place. The political, economic and cultural domination of the West afflicted all non-European peoples with acute inferiority-complexes. A host of modernizers arose simultaneously in all these lands to re-interpret their traditional religions and philosophies in a secular, materialistic way. We Muslims have fallen just as easy prey to these same fallacies.
As a result, the average modern-educated Muslim fears above all else to be stigmatized as "backward." He is far more terrified of being labeled as "backward" than becoming sinful. He longs far more for "progress" than any moral or spiritual virtue. Such modernists among us shout from the rooftops that Islam must be the symbol of "advancement" and "progress", that "backward" Muslim is a de-Muslimized Muslim. They are so ashamed of Muslim history, traditional Islamic institutions and culture that they are, in fact, far more harshly critical of their religious heritage than the Westerners they strive so frantically to imitate.
On account of their Westernized education, they are unable to understand the fact that the Islamic view life differs from modern Western ideals not only in providing different answers but even more, in asking entirely different questions. Even many of those who regard themselves as genuine Muslims who wish to promote the cause of Islam, can only think in Western terms.
The question of "backward" versus "progressive" of even "primitive" versus "civilized", is just as irrelevant to the Islamic view of life as the "equality" of women or the right to absolute "freedom" of thought and action. Although all useful knowledge and positive achievements of the West and other non-Islamic peoples may be appropriated by us, provided we use this creatively and adapt it to our own needs and requirements and not mere slavish imitation out of feelings of inferiority, it is entirely wrong to suppose (as our modernists have done) that the Islamic mission cannot succeed in the world until we are materially equal or superior to our adversaries. Islamic history provides the most effective refutation of this wide-spread fallacy.
To the sophisticated Persians and Romans of the days of the Holy Prophet and the Sahabah or Companions, the early Muslims of Arabia must have appeared hopelessly "backward" and "primitive." Though grossly inferior in numbers and poorly equipped, often ragged and half-starved, they successfully vanquished infinitely more "civilized" foes. They were never ashamed of their material poverty nor did they regard it as any obstacle for the propagation of their mission. The following Hadith is elopuent testimony to the contempt of the Holy Prophet for worldly advantages:
Umar Ibn Khattab said: When I entered the room, I saw the Holy Prophet lying on a date palm mat on the floor. There was no bedding between it and him. The marks of the matting were imprinted on his body. He had a leather bag filled with the bark of the date-palm as his pillow. I noticed that the contents of his room comprised of only three pieces of tanned skin and a handful of barley lying in a corner. I looked about but failed to find anything else. I began to weep. "Oh Prophet of Allah!" I cried. "Pray that Allah may grant ample provisions for us. The Persians and the Romans, who have no faith in Allah, enjoy abundance and prosperity. Then why should the chosen Prophet of Allah live in such dire poverty?" The Holy Prophet was resting on his hard pillow but when he heard me talk like this, he quickly sat up and rebuked me. "Oh Umar! Why do you envy their ease and comfort? Are you not satisfied that for them is this world and for us the Hereafter?" I implored: "O Prophet of Allah, forgive me! I was in error."
(Islam and Western Society, M. Jameelah, 1982, p. 56-59)
Posted on September 2, 2015 September 5, 2015 by punyahannawilburPosted in IslamLeave a comment
Autobiographical Except from Burzuyah, an Eminent Persian Physician
Science as it developed under Muslim rule was far more humane than the science we know today. Here is an autobiographical except from an eminent Persian physician—Burzuyah—who although originally of the Parsi faith, influenced through his association with the great medical research centre at Jundishapur, Muslim doctors by practicing his healing profession in strict conformity with Islamic ethical ideals:
My father belonged to the soldier class; my mother was the daughter of a family of distinguished priests. One of the favours that God gave to me was that I was the favourite child and that I received a better education than my brothers. My parents sent me when I was seven years old to an elementary school. As soon as I could read and write well, I returned to my parents. Then I decided to study Science. The first brach of Science that attracted me was Medicine. It interested me so much because I knew how excellent it was. The more I learnt, of it, the more I liked it and the more eagerly I studied it.
As soon as I had reached such a degree of proficiency in medicine that I could think of diagnosing and treating patients, I began to deliberate within myself, for I observed that there were four things to which men aspire. Which of these ought I to aim at—money, prosperity, fame, or a heavenly reward? What decided my choice was the observation that all intelligent, educated people praise medicine and that no religion condemns it. I also used to read in the medical books at Jundisapur that the best doctor is the one who sacrifices his personal gain for the welfare of his patients and seeks only a reward from God in the Hereafter. So I was determined to follow this lead and to aim at no earthly gain lest I be like a merchant who sells for a valueless bauble a ruby by which he might have gained all the riches of the world.
I also read in the medical works of the ancients that if a physician aspires to gain through his profession a reward in the Hereafter, he will not lose his share in this world's goods. Thus he resembles a sower who carefully scatters his barley grain in his field and for whom there springs up together with his harvest of barley, all sorts of useful herbs.
So with the hope of reward in the Hereafter, I set out to treat the sick. I exerted myself in the treatment of patients whom I expected to cure. And no less did I strive in those cases where I could not hope to effect a cure. In such cases, I tried at least to make their sufferings more bearable. Whenever I could, I used to attend to my cases in person. When this was not possible, I would write out for them the necessary prescriptions and give them medicines. From no one do I ever demand any fee or other reward. And none of my fellow physician did I envy who equaled me in skill or surpassed me in fame or fortune if he were lax in his standards of honesty in word or deed.
(Science and Civilization in Islam, Syed Hossein Nasr, New American Library, New York, 1968, p. 189-190; as quoted in Islam and Western Society, M. Jameelah, 1982, p. 185-186)
Posted on August 26, 2015 by punyahannawilburPosted in BiographyLeave a comment
Hazrat Rabi'a bin Haisham was a slave. After having been set free, he engaged himself in acquiring knowledge and in the course of time became the Imam and leader of the Muslims of Basra where he had settled. He used to undertake work only for the sake of Allah. One day he asked his wife to prepare a special dish. Since he was not in the habit of making demands for himself, his wife prepared the dish with great care and attention. Hazrat Rabi'a took the food when ready to a neighbor who was insane and not in possession of his senses and fed him with his own hands. The saliva was dripping profusely from the mouth of the afflicted man but Hazrat Rabi'a continued to feed him with pleasure. When Hazrat Rabi'a returned home, his wife complained bitterly that he had given the food which she had prepared with so much labour to a person who did not know at all what it was. Hazrat Rab'a replied, "But Almighty Allah knows it full well and that is all I care for."
("Picture of Loyalty to Faith," Yaqeen International, Karachi, February 7 & 22, 1974, p. 228; in "Islam and Western Society," M. Jameelah, p. 310)
Posted on August 26, 2015 by punyahannawilburPosted in AkhlaqLeave a comment
The Question of Women-Men Equality in Islam
"From the Islamic point of view, the question of the equality of men and women is meaningless. It is like discussing the equality of a rose and a jasmine. Each has its own perfume, colour, shape, and beauty. Men and women are not the same. Each has particular features and characteristics. Women are not equal to men. But neither are men equal to women. Islam envisages their roles in society not as competing but as complimentary. Each has certain duties and functions in accordance with his or her nature and constitution.
"Man possesses certain privileges such as social authority and mobility against which he has to perform many heavy duties. First of all, he bears all economic responsibility. It is his duty to support his family completely even if his wife is rich and despite the fact that she is economically independent. A woman in traditional Islamic society does not have to worry about earning a living. There is always the larger family structure in which she can find a place and take refuge from social and economic pressures even if she has no husband or father. In the extended family system, a man often supports not only his wife and children but also his mother, sister, aunts, in-laws and sometimes even cousins and more distant relatives. Therefore in city life, the necessity of having to find a job at all costs and having to bear the economic pressure of life is lifted from the shoulders of women. As for the countryside, the family is itself the economic unit and the work is achieved by the larger family or tribal unit together.
"Secondly, a woman does not have to find a husband for herself. She does not have to display her charms and make the thousand and one plans through which she hopes to attract a future mate. The terrible anxiety of having to find a husband and of missing the opportunity if one does not try hard enough at the right moment is spared the Muslim woman. Being able to remain true to her nature, she can afford to sit at home and wait for her parents or guardian to choose a suitable match. This usually leads to a marriage which, being based on the sense of religious duty and enduring family and social bonds between the two sides, is more lasting and ends much more rarely in divorce than the marrieages which are based on the sentiments of the moment that often do not develop into more permanent relationships.
"Thirdly, the Muslim woman is spared direct military and political responsibility although in rare cases there have been women warriors. This point may appear as a deprivation to some but in the light of the real needs of feminine nature, it is easy to see that for most women, such duties weigh heavily upon them. Even in modern societies which through the equalitarian process have tried to equate men and women as if there were no difference in the two sexes, women are usually spared the military draft except in extreme circumstances.
"In return for these privileges which the woman receives, she has also certain responsibilities of which the most important is to provide a home for her family and to bring up her children properly. In the home the woman rules as queen and a Muslim man is in a sense the guest of his wife at home. The home and the larger family structure in which she lives are for the Muslim woman her world. To be cut off from it would be like being cut off from the world or like dying. She finds the meaning of her existence in this extended family structure which is constructed so as to give her the maximum possibility of realizing her basic needs and fulfilling herself.
"The Shariah therefore envisages the role of men and women according to their nature which is complimentary. It gives the man the privilege of social and political authority and movement for which he has to pay by bearing heavy responsibilities, by protecting his family from all the forces and pressures of society, economic and otherwise. Although a master in the world at larege and the head of his own family, the man acts in his home as one who recognize the rule of his wife in this domain and respects it. Through mutual understanding and the realization of the responsibilities that God has placed on each other's shoulders, the Muslim man and woman are able to fulfil their personalities and create a firm family unit which is the basic structure of Muslim society."
(Ideals and Realities of Islam, Syed Hossein Nasr, 1966, p. 110-113; quoted in Islam and Western Society, M. Jameelah, 1982, p 109-112)
Posted on August 26, 2015 September 5, 2015 by punyahannawilburPosted in Family2 Comments
Religions are Back (A GOOD NEWS OR BAD NEWS?!)
GOLDEN SNITCH
This notes was taken from ORSAM seminars presented by Prof. DR. Şaban Ali Düzgün from Ankara University, Theology Faculty, Turkey focused on the topic: "Theology and Question of Violence". Through this paper, perhaps the readers could test the knowledge and prejudice on religions properly. Some sentences had to be modifiedly developed to get proper insight—happy reading.
In recent days, easily people mind become ruined by disinformation caused by media or social life. People become disoriented or more—phobia. Disinformation channels and islamophobia created by some institutions, for instance: Donors Capital Fund, Fox news channel, David Horowitz freedom center, Washington times, the national review, Christian broadcast netwok and Clarion fund.
Let me bring you flash back to the ancient civilization, this description declared by Carly Fiorina, CEO of Hewlett-Packard when she delivered her speech tied to Islam Civilization. There was once a civilization that was the greatest in the world…
Man in the Quran
The Quran[1] is explicit that although Adam committed a mistake, he was, nevertheless, not arrogant. When he was reminded by God, he admitted his mistake and transgression. In return God bestowed upon him His Words and taught him how to repent. Adam's repentance was then accepted[2], which thereafter left upon him no scars of sin.
Speaking in general terms about man the Qur'an says that he is created out of the best stock[3]. He is the viceroy of God upon earth[4]. By birth he is neither evil nor good in the ethical sense, but he is given a just bias towards good, and a bias against evil has been put into his nature[5]. He has also been endowed with the freedom to choose between right and wrong[6]. Man is, however, by nature weak and constantly needs divine help and guidance[7]. The story of Adam, if it teaches anything, teaches that man can never be self-sufficient. In history and society, the forces of good and evil work side by side, and man is continually tested, but in the end judgment will be according to each one's own capacity[8].
The idea of incarnation is strongly opposed and rejected by the Qur'an[9]. Christ was only a prophet and messenger of God[10]. His message, like that of all other messengers of God, was "to serve God and avoid unrighteousness."[11]
The idea of transference of the punishment of sins or vicarious punishment is not accepted by the Qur'an[12]. But it must also be noted that, according to the Qur'an, the punishment is not the necessary and unavoidable consequence of sin. If there is repentance than any sin, however grave it may be, can be forgiven by the mercy of God[13]. God is not bound to punish[14]. Contrary to Augustinian understanding of justice, Divine justice in the Qur'an means that God does not punish anyone without reason, or beyond that which is necessary. Justice also means that no good of man is left by God unrecognized and unrewarded[15]. It does not mean that God is not allowed to leave any sin unpunished.
Words like fidaa, fidyah, kaffara and kaffaarah (as in Hebrew paadaa and kaapar) are used in the Qur'an. In the case of sickness or journey or some other incapacities one is allowed to make expiation (fidyah) if one had failed to perform one's obligations[16]. Kaffaarah or ransom is made when a violation of religious duties or rituals is commited[17]. However, the Qur'an says explicitly that "repentance" (tawbah) is always needed, and when one repents and acts in faith God does the act of kaffaarah[18]. As in the Old Testament, so in the Qur'an only God is the subject of kaffara and only He can wipe out sins, not by paying a ransom—which is alien both to the Old Testament and to the Islamic tradition—or by accepting a price[19], but simply by His grace and mercy.
[1] Quoted from an essay titled "The Doctrine of Redemption: A Critical Study", Part IV, in "Islamic Perspectives: Studies in Honor of Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi", 1980, The Islamic Foundation, pp 99-100.
[2] The Qur'an, 2: 35-37 [http://quran.com/2/35-37]
[3] Ibid., 95: 4 [http://quran.com/95/4]
[4] Ibid., 2: 30 [http://quran.com/2/30]
[6] Ibdi., 91: 9-10 [http://quran.com/91/9-10]
[8] Ibid., 2: 286 [http://quran.com/2/286]
[9] Ibid., 5: 17, 72 [http://quran.com/5/17; http://quran.com/5/72%5D
[10] Ibid., 5: 75 [http://quran.com/5/75]
[11] Ibid., 16: 36 [http://quran.com/16/36]
[12] Ibid., 6: 164; 17: 15; 35: 18; 39: 7; 53: 38 [http://quran.com/6/164; http://quran.com/17/15; http://quran.com/35/18; http://quran.com/39/7; http://quran.com/53/38%5D
[14] Ibid., 4: 147 [http://quran.com/4/147]
[15] Ibid., 2: 281; 4: 124; 19: 60; 46: 19 [http://quran.com/2/281; http://quran.com/4/124; http://quran.com/19/60; http://quran.com/46/19%5D
[16] Ibid., 2: 184, 196 [http://quran.com/2/184; http://quran.com/2/196%5D
[17] Ibid., 5: 45, 89, 95 [http://quran.com/5/45; http://quran.com/5/89; http://quran.com/5/95%5D
[18] Ibid., 2: 271; 4: 31; 5: 12; 8: 29; 64: 9; 66: 8 [http://quran.com/2/271; http://quran.com/4/31; http://quran.com/5/12; http://quran.com/8/29; http://quran.com/64/9; http://quran.com/66/8%5D
[19] Ibid., 3: 91; 10: 54; 39: 47; 70: 11; 57: 15 [http://quran.com/3/91; http://quran.com/10/54; http://quran.com/39/47; http://quran.com/70/11; http://quran.com/57/15%5D
Posted on March 12, 2014 June 11, 2014 by punyahannawilburPosted in IslamTagged man. 2 Comments
The Man who Challenged the Quran – Gary Miller , Later became Muslim
Beauty of ISLAM
In 1977, Professor Gary Miller, the active Canadian preacher and mathematics and logic lecturer at Toronto University, decided to provide a great service to Christianity through exposing scientific and historical errors in the Noble Quran in such a way that would be beneficial to him and his fellow preachers in calling Muslims to Christianity. However, the result was completely to the contrary. Miller's writings were fair and his study and comments were positive, even better than many Muslims would write about the Noble Quran. He considered the Noble Quran, as it should be and reached the conclusion that it cannot be a work of a human being.
The first surprising issue for Professor Miller was the challenging tone in many ayahs1 such as the ayahs that can be translated as "Will they not then contemplate the Quran? And if it had been from (anywhere) other than the Providence…
Posted on March 7, 2014 by punyahannawilburPosted in UncategorizedLeave a comment
Masuk Surga Bersama… on The Question of Women-Men Equa…
Islamic View of Prog… on The Question of Women-Men Equa…
punyahannawilbur on Man in the Quran
Ahmed on Man in the Quran
Akhlaq


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