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Total Bellas S4 E8 rating
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Total Bellas episode eight of season four, titled Road to Evolution, pulled in 441,000 viewers, up 30,000 viewers from last week's episode. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Triple H and Batista to meet at WrestleMania in a no holds barred match
Total Bellas S4 E8 episode recap: Road To Evolution
Total Bellas episode preview for tonight: Who's The Boss?
Total Bellas returns on E! tonight at 8PM EST with episode three of the season titled Who's The Boss? The synopsis for tonight's episode reads, "Nikki is determined to help Bryan figure out his next steps in life after retirement, and an underappreciated…
The sixth episode of season four of Total Bellas drew a total of 424,000 viewers, down 2,000 viewers from last week's show. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Total Bellas season 1 episode 6 rating
The final episode of season one of Total Bellas, titled Wedding Mania, did a total of 663,000 viewers, up 127,000 viewers from the previous week. It was the second highest rated episode of the series. Total Divas returns on E! next week with the all-new season…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The first bricks are invented and used, perhaps in modern-day West Bank
The first bricks that we know about were being made in Jericho as long ago as 8000 BC. The people there had discovered they could make simple bricks by leaving clay mud to dry in the sun.
~8,000 B.C.E. ???
The Eldoradense culture emerges in modern-day Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina, near Iguazú Falls
The area surrounding Iguazu Falls was inhabited 10,000 years ago by the hunter-gatherers of the Eldoradense culture.
The ancient people of South America independently invent clothing
Guitarrero Cave has evidence of human use around 8,000 BCE. In the 1960s, archeologists discovered artifacts in an extraordinary state of preservation at the site. Remarkably, textiles, wood and leather tools, and basketry have been preserved intact.
~8000 B.C.E ???
New Guineans begin practicing agriculture for first time
The oldest evidence for this is in the Kuk Swamp area, where planting, digging and staking of plants, and possibly drainage have been used to cultivate taro, banana, sago and yam.
Humans, probably in modern-day New Guinea, domesticate sugarcane for the first time
After domestication, its cultivation spread rapidly to Southeast Asia and southern China.


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February 11, 2019 - Stocks Post Small Weekly Gains
Major U.S. stock benchmarks eked out slight gains last week, with corporate profit reports and news about U.S.-China trade negotiations vying for investor attention over five trading sessions.
The big three ended the week little changed from where they settled the previous Friday. The Dow Jones Industrials rose 0.17% percent, while the S&P 500 Index gained 0.05% percent. The NASDAQ Composite ended the week up 0.47%. Looking at international stocks, the MSCI EAFE index retreated 0.47%.[1][2]
Earnings Scorecard
As of last Friday, 66% of all S&P 500 companies had reported fourth-quarter earnings. So far, 71% of these firms have announced earnings exceeding estimates, and 62% have seen revenues top projections.[3]
Halfway through earnings season, 2019 future guidance has been a mixed bag for S&P 500 companies.[3] For Wall Street, future earnings can be just as important as current earnings. We keep a close eye on both.
Tariff Tensions
March 1 is the 90-day deadline set by President Trump for a trade deal with China. If no agreement is reached, the U.S. may consider a new round of tariffs. On Thursday, news that President Trump and Chinese President Xi may not meet before the March 1 deadline added to the market volatility.
The decision by the U.S. on new tariffs may hinge on how much progress has been made toward a new agreement. We don't expect that to become clear until the deadline nears.
State of the Service Sector
Many indicators help economists take the pulse of the overall economy. The Institute for Supply Management keeps a critical, but not widely followed, index, which helps gauge the health of the service sector.
The January reading on this index came in at 56.7. Any reading above 50 shows that the service industry is seeing solid growth.[4]
Over the next several weeks, we're expecting more volatility as the markets digest economic news, a new wave of corporate earnings, and twists and turns on the geopolitical front. We will be watching to see if anything changes our short-term and long-term view. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Wednesday: January's Consumer Price Index, which measures monthly and yearly inflation.
Thursday: December retail sales figures (a delayed release due to the government shutdown).
Friday: January's preliminary University of Michigan consumer sentiment index, a gauge of consumer confidence levels.
Source: Econoday / MarketWatch Calendar, February 8, 2019 The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision. The release of data may be delayed without notice for a variety of reasons, including the shutdown of the government agency or change at the private institution that handles the material.
THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Monday: Loews Corp (L)
Tuesday: Activision Blizzard (ATVI), HubSpot (HUBS), Occidental Petroleum (OXY)
Wednesday: Cisco (CSCO), Hilton Worldwide Holdings (HLT), Yelp (YELP)
Thursday: Applied Materials (AMAT), CBS (CBS), Coca-Cola (KO)
Friday: Deere & Co. (DE), PepsiCo (PEP)
Source: Morningstar.com, February 8, 2019 Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.
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The Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30 significant stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ. The DJIA was invented by Charles Dow back in 1896.
The Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of stocks of technology companies and growth companies.
The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) that serves as a benchmark of the performance in major international equity markets as represented by 21 major MSCI indices from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
The 10-year Treasury Note represents debt owed by the United States Treasury to the public. Since the U.S. Government is seen as a risk-free borrower, investors use the 10-year Treasury Note as a benchmark for the long-term bond market.
Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
You cannot invest directly in an index.
Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.
Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.
These are the views of Platinum Advisor Strategies, LLC, and not necessarily those of the named representative, Broker dealer or Investment Advisor and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named representative nor the named Broker dealer or Investment Advisor gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your financial advisor for further information.
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Gwalior Fort: A Gem in Madhya Pradesh
https://www.travelviewpoint.com/gwalior-fort-a-gem-in-madhya-pradesh/Gwalior Fort: A Gem in Madhya Pradesh
Khushi Anand
Referred to as 'the pearl amongst fortresses in India' by Mughal emperor Babur, the Gwalior Fort is one of the most impenetrable fortresses in northern and southern India and is a place you definitely must visit. Situated on the top of a vast rocky mountain near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh in central India, this imposing structure dominates the entire city of Gwalior. An inseparable part of the identity and architecture of the town, evidence suggests that it has been around since the 6th Century. It is also where the second oldest reference of the number 'zero' has been found in the form of a carving inside a temple on the top of the fort.
The construction of the Gwalior Fort took place in two parts, in two different periods; thus, this architectural marvel has an intriguing history. It has passed from the possession of one dynasty to the other multiple times. The fort complex is well maintained and includes temples, water tanks, and palaces such as Man Mandir, the Gujari, the Jahangir, the Karan, and the Shah Jahan.
Gwalior Fort, Gwalior
History of Gwalior Fort
The period during which the Gwalior Fort was constructed is unknown. According to legends, this imposing fort was built in the 3rd Century by a local king Suraj Sen. The king had recently been cured of leprosy with the help and blessings of a sage named Gwalipa, who had offered him water from a sacred pond. The grateful king then built this fort and named it after the sage. The word Gwalior is derived from the saint's name- Gwalipa. The sage bestowed the title Pal, which means protector, upon the king; and declared that the fort would remain in his family's possession as long as they bore this title. Interestingly enough, the fort remained with the 83 descendants of Suraj Sen Pal, but the 84th descendant named Tej Karan lost the fort.
In the years that followed, the Gwalior Fort has witnessed many ups and downs. It also changed hands many times and was held by the Tomars, Mughals, Marathas, and the British, before finally being handed over to the Scindias.
The architecture of Gwalior Fort
Surrounded by concrete walls of sandstone, the Gwalior Fort encloses three temples, six palaces, and several water tanks and is truly an architectural marvel. The different palaces and temples reflect the architectural finery and skill that existed during those times and continue to be appreciated.
The most beautiful place on the entire premises is undoubtedly the Man Mandir Palace, which with its amazingly elaborate structure, seems to hang at the edge of the impressive fort. Blue ceramic tiles form the facade of this breathtakingly beautiful palace. The Teli-ka-Mandir, built in the 9th-century Dravidian style, rises to a height of over 100 feet and is famous for its blend of South Indian architecture with North Indian decorative motifs, as well as an exquisitely sculpted exterior. The Saas-Bahu temples on the eastern side of the fort are also larger-than-life examples of 11th-century temple architecture.
Gwalior Fort Light & Sound Show
The Gwalior Fort hosts a spectacular sound and light show every evening. This show is exceptionally well executed and makes you feel like you are part of the fort's rich history and the love story of Raja Man Singh and his queen Mrignayani.
The show takes place in the amphitheater at the Man Mandir. The timings for the show are as follows:
Hindi Show: 7:30 pm
English Show: 8:30 pm
Best Time To Visit Gwalior fort
The best time to visit the Gwalior Fort is during the autumn and spring, that is, between October and March. One can also enjoy the visit during the monsoon when the surrounding is verdant green and fresh and crisp air.
Reputed to be among the most beautiful fortresses in the country, the Gwalior Fort is a thriving tourist destination today. Exuding energy that speaks of the days gone in a harmonious tune, the walls of this fort capture your attention as soon as you step into the complex of Gwalior ka Kila. Much to the pride of the locals, this fort has become a place of worship, wonder, and sheer amazement for travelers from all over the world. Situated around four kilometers from the city center, the fort of Gwalior should be part of your travel itinerary.
While some folks get swept away in the Khajuraho-Ujjain temple-hopping trip, the ones who genuinely love discovering ancient monuments must visit this fortress. The timings of the Gwalior Fort are 9 am to 5 pm every day of the week. The tickets for adults are Rs. 75, Rs. 40 for children and Rs. 250 for foreigners, respectively. The ideal time to visit this magnificent fort would be between October and March, as the temperatures are relatively pleasant.
Let us acquaint you with Gwalior Kila with these 7 interesting facts: –
1. The Ambiguous Origin of the Fort
When we discuss the origins of Gwalior ka Kila, it is essential to note that the main structure has been standing tall since the 6th Century! That's right. As old as monuments can be, this fort has witnessed every season, war, and love story known in the Indian subcontinent. Legend has it that the Gwalior Fort was built by Suraj Sen, a Sakarwar Rajput, in honor of the saint who saved his life. According to folklore, Gwalipa was a sage who offered the king water from a sacred pond (still found within the Gwalior ka Kila complex) when he suffered from leprosy. Upon consuming this water, the king was cured instantly of the disease and thanked the sage for his kindness. In return, Gwalipa blessed him and his coming generations to rule the land without any hindrances. Experts and historians who provide heritage walk at this fort often tell this fascinating story. History buffs on Gwalior tour packages should participate in one of the walks to learn about the inception of this fort.
2. Monuments and Temples within the Premises
A fort with several temples and monuments inside its premises clarifies how different cultures, traditions, and kingdoms left their mark on it. In its entirety, there are 11 temples belonging to the Jain Tirthankaras, with the tallest idol of Rishabhanatha or Adinatha hoisted up to a height of 58 feet! Besides this, Gwalior Kila's Teli ka Mandir or Tellika Temple is a famous tourist destination. It was built in the 9th Century by the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty. Right next to this temple is the Garuda monument in honor of Lord Vishnu. This monument's most unique characteristic is that it influences Hindu and Islamic architecture.
Even today, the palaces inside the Gwalior Fort have a separate set of admirers. The most popular one was Man Mandir Palace, built by Maharaja Man Singh in the 15th Century. Karn or Karan Mahal, built by his successor, Kirti Singh, is another palace worth visiting. Last but not least is Vikram Mahal, a palace constructed under the rule of Vikramaditya Singh, the eldest son of the first Tomar king.
3. Invasion by Foreign Powers
In 1505, Sikander Lodi attempted to invade the Gwalior Fort. However, the attempt was unsuccessful. This is because the Tomars were renowned for their valor and left no stone unturned to protect their fortress. After the demise of Man Singh, the battle ended with Gwalior Kila in the hands of the Delhi Sultanate. But with the rising presence of the Mughals in North India, this fort was snatched away within a decade. A power struggle began in 1542 between the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals, with Gwalior Kila as the winning prize. Sher Shah Suri took the entire fortress in a fierce battle. Upon your visit here today, you will understand why this fort was significant to these powers. Not only is it strategically located on a hilltop, but it also brings out the grandeur of an empire ruling in it. Keeping this in mind, you will also learn that Akbar was the first Mughal emperor to turn this glorious fort into a prison. Information on the Gwalior Fort's captures by various kingdoms can also be found at the Archaeological Museum within the premises.
4. Prison for the Sixth Sikh Guru
As mentioned earlier, the most benevolent Mughal emperor, Akbar, first used the Gwalior Fort as a prison for political entities that infiltrated his empire. Following his father's footsteps, Jahangir made sure that this fortress was utilized in oppressing the sixth guru of Sikhism, Guru Hargobind. To shed some light on the youngest religion in India, spreading harmony under the rule of the Mughals, you should know that Guru Arjan was executed by Jahangir because of their increasing influence on the people. Guru Hargobind, a born warrior, dedicated his life against the Mughal rule and was imprisoned at Gwalior Kila for 14 years. Mind you, he was only 11 years old at that time. The reason given by the Mughal authorities was that the Sikhs could not pay the fines imposed on them. Although there is no known record of the time of his release, it is estimated to be around 1611. The fort of Gwalior became a sight of oppression for the Sikhs, but the positive outcome was the introduction of Bandi Chhor Divas at Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor situated inside the complex. This festival is still celebrated in honor of Guru Hargobind's release from the Mughals. Because of this historical event, this fort is part of the Gwalior sightseeing one-day tour for people from the Sikh community.
5. Home to the Second Oldest "Zero."
Did you know that Gwalior Fort has the 'second oldest zero recorded history? On your way to Hathi Pol or Elephant Gate, you will come across Chaturbuj temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This particular temple is one of the places to visit in Gwalior to read the inscription depicting zero in a mathematical equation. This plaque dates back to 875 CE, second to the oldest note with zero in the world! To elaborate on the written details, the inscription mentions a land grant of 270 hastas (measuring unit in ancient times) made for a flower garden.
Along with this, it mentions a daily grant for 50 flower garlands as well. The numbers "270" and "50" both have zero mentioned in them. The timing in the Gwalior Fort best suited for observing the "zero" is right when the gates open, as it is less crowded.
6. A Temple Construction Out of a Domestic Feud
As far as domestic feuds are concerned in India, we all know that nothing good comes from it. Except for this particular historical fact. Sahastrabahu Temple, commonly known as Sas-Bahu Temple, located inside the Gwalior Fort, is perhaps the only positive outcome of an altercation between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law. During the reign of the Kachchhapaghatas, it is believed that a feud broke out between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law regarding the deity to be worshipped inside this temple. To resolve this issue, both Lord Shiva's and Lord Vishnu's gods were accommodated inside this twin temple to please both the ladies of the royal family. Imagine if domestic matters could be resolved so peacefully in today's times!
7. The Legend of Tansen's Tamarind Tree
Tansen, the legendary musician of the Mughal courts, has a melodious connection with Gwalior Kila. A tamarind tree inside the fort is believed to have leaves that can make your voice harmonious! This folklore has been around for ages mainly because of Tansen's tomb inside the fort and his magical voice reverberating into nearby villages. The sound and light show organized nowadays illustrates this legend along with the love story of Man Singh and Mrignayani in the most peaceful manner. The timings of this show differ according to the season, so you can plan your trip to this fort accordingly.
It is with good reason that Gwalior Fort stakes its claim as one of the top hill forts of India. Visit it and experience it in its full glory!
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MEXICO GROUPS
NORTE DEL VALLE
EL DOCTOR
Home ᐳ News ᐳ Brief ᐳ Colombia Govt Denies Crime Boss Surrendered to US
Colombia Govt Denies Crime Boss Surrendered to US
24 APR 2012 BY ELYSSA PACHICO EN
Colombia's justice minister said that Javier Calle Serna, alias "Comba," leader of the Rastrojos gang, had not surrendered to US authorities, confirming a report by InSight Crime.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported last week that the drug lord had turned himself in to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which Minister Juan Carlos Esguerra said was "speculation." The minister spoke to reporters after leaving a meeting with US Attorney General Eric Holder.
Officials from the US Department of Justice told Esguerra that they were "ignorant" of Calle Serna's alleged surrender, according to the minister.
Following the reports that Calle Serna was in custody, Colombian newspaper El Tiempo said Thursday that two other prominent drug traffickers, Daniel Barrera, alias "El Loco," and Henry de Jesus Lopez, alias "Mi Sangre," were also negotiating their surrender to the US.
Rumors that Calle Serna and his brother, Luis, are in talks with US justice have been circulating since last year. President Juan Manuel Santos himself confirmed the reports in February.
But, after recent media reports that Javier Calle Serna had surrendered, sources told InSight Crime that he was not yet in US custory. Esguerra also said that he did not know of any "negotiations" between the US and the Rastrojos.
If the Calle Sernas are interested in negotiating a plea bargain with the US, this will likely be a slow, drawn-out process, with little accurate news on the talks leaked to the media. Other prominent drug traffickers who secured more lenient sentences from the US in return for intelligence, including members of the Cali and Medellin Cartels, were typically already in custody before they struck deals with US prosecutors.
It would be more unusual to bargain with high-level criminals like the Calle Sernas as an incentive for them to give themselves up.
The prominence of the Calle Sernas in Colombia's criminal underworld means that it will not be easy to reach a negotiated settlement quickly. The Rastrojos commanders would likely have to give detailed information on their drug trafficking operations and their business associates, as well as the identities of any collaborators in the security forces or the government. They would also likely have to give up much of their personal wealth and assets.
Colombian and US authoritities are unlikely to grant the Rastrojos leaders lenient terms unless they can secure highly valuable information in return (like the alleged location of Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin Guzman, which the Calle Sernas reportedly may be willing to share).


Explorations in Quilting and Life: Completed!
This was such a fun project! The request was simple - a baby quilt for someone who is a marine biologist. I wanted it to be simple and an opportunity to work on skills. I designed the whole piece and had a great time coming up with colors for the fish.
I used wool batting for the first time. I had read in a recent Quilting Arts article that wool batting is easier to work with if you are not on a long arm. I found it much lighter and easier to move around for free motion quilting.
As I wanted to keep a fair amount of loft in the quilt, I used a very simple quilting pattern of wavy lines for the ocean section. I also decided to leave the border unquilted. The dark green plant actually has a fair amount of contrast as it is quilted somewhat heavily with a light colored thread.
All in all I was totally delighted with my design and ease with which I could applique and quilt it. Hope the baby likes it too!
Close up of some fish.
What a fun quilt. They are going to love it!


THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, everybody. Today I am proud to announce the newest members of my national security team. I just met with them in the Oval Office, and I'm very pleased to have two extraordinary Americans -- Senators Chuck Hagel and David Boren have agreed to serve as co-chairmen of my Intelligence Advisory Board -- Intelligence Advisory Board, otherwise known as PIAB.
Now, since Dwight Eisenhower, Presidents have relied on the advisory board for advice on intelligence matters, and under Chuck and Dave's leadership, I will be looking for the board to provide me with objective, independent, and non-partisan counsel as we work to strengthen our intelligence community and our national security.
And that's why we're joined today by my DNI, Director of National Intelligence, Denny Blair, and leaders from all 16 of our agencies involved with intelligence gathering. They represent countless men and women, uniformed and civilian, who work, often in obscurity, to keep our country safe.
Now, in recent months we've seen some of their successes, in partnership with law enforcement and homeland security -- real progress against al Qaeda and its extremist allies. And we thank those behind these successes, and we pledge to continue to provide the utmost support to them. Having Chuck Hagel and Dave Boren next to me I think is going to help us do an even better job.
Chuck understands that accurate and timely intelligence is essential for effective foreign policy. He served for many years as -- on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and six years on the Senate Elect Committee on Intelligence. And I came to appreciate his sound judgments in our travels together overseas, including to Iraq and Afghanistan.
He also understands, from personal experience, the need to protect our troops and provide them with the best possible intelligence. During Vietnam, Sergeant Hagel served as an infantry squad leader, along with his brother, where they both were wounded twice. I thank Chuck for his lifetime of service and his willingness to serve once again.
David is a longtime champion of intelligence reform. He was the longest-serving chairman in the history of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. In that time, he authored the legislation that created an independent inspector general at the CIA and major reforms to our oversight of covert actions.
David was also the leading force behind legislation that has encouraged thousands of American college students to study abroad to deepen their knowledge of the world and cultures. I thank David for agreeing to serve in this capacity, even as he continues to lead the University of Oklahoma. And we are sorry about Bradford's shoulder.
THE PRESIDENT: I look forward to working with Chuck and David in their new roles. They will report to me, they will have my full support, and they will have the full cooperation of my National Security Council staff and the organizations represented here.
We are off to a good start with this meeting -- by welcoming the press, which past advisory boards have rarely done. That's a reflection of my administration's commitment to transparency and open government -- even, when appropriate, on matters of national security and intelligence.
In the near future, I'll be naming additional members to the board. I look forward to Chuck, David, and these men and women around the table for their candid and unvarnished advice on the quality and accuracy of our intelligence and the effectiveness of our intelligence community.
Our work is clear. The organizations represented here have made real progress in recent years. But we all agree that more needs to be done -- to improve the collection of intelligence, to ensure that analysis reaches senior decision-makers in a timely way, and to provide strong oversight to ensure that our intelligence activities are consistent with our democratic values and the rule of law.
The American people -- and the men and women of our intelligence community as well -- deserve nothing less. As I've said in my recent visits to the National Counterterrorism Center and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, we are extraordinarily grateful to them for the hard work, without any fanfare, that they do to keep the American people safe.
That's what I'm committed to doing as President, and that's why I want to again thank Senators Hagel and Boren for agreeing to serve in this capacity. I think they are going to be a invaluable resource to all of us sitting around the table.


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National Coming Out Day 2016: Supporting Each Other
Grab your smelling salts, clutch your pearls: I have big news. I am gay, queer, a homosexual. Yes, it is true. October 11 is National Coming Out Day. Why do we need this day? Why do we need to celebrate this day?
I cannot underscore enough the importance of being out and visible. The more visible we are as a community, the more difficult it is to target us and treat us as sub-human or second class citizens. And here is where the messiness lives.
I cannot underscore enough how being able to be "out" is a privilege I have. I am painfully aware that many people in the United States are not able to "come out," as the level of risk is too great. Sadly, we know there are many in the LGBTQ community that the physical and emotional toll would be too great in coming out. Let us stand in solidarity and work to change the entire system that shames and denigrates the queer community. Right now that means to do whatever we can to defeat the horrifically homophobic and misogynistic deplorable duo that is Trump and Pence.
Currently there are 29 states — over half of the US — where it is still legal to actively discriminate against LGBT folk. Look at this map provided by the ACLU to see where your state stands on protecting rights of LGBTQ people. Yes, in 29 states one can be fired for being gay. Not a big surprise that no state in the South has the slightest protection for the LGBT community. (There do exist individual cities that provide limited protection, but of course look what happened when Charlotte, NC tried to create a safe city — Republican legislators slammed the whole state with the loathsome HB2.) I guess that wacky Lawrence v. Texas Supreme Court decision from 2003 meant nothing.
Sadly, in this election year, we have only seen venom coming from each GOP candidate regarding LGBTQ rights. Not only are Pence and Trump working to hurt our community, but the reinforcements from the GOP platform are nothing less than embarrassing. Speaking of embarrassing, the exceedingly ignorant Gary Johnson is not an ally to our community, although a white heterosexual man tried to convince me he is. When you are pro-states rights around LGBTQ issues, you are NOT an ally.
It is imperative that people see this as political! Sadly, we continue to see the numbers rise in homicides and attacks on LGBTQ community; and we know these numbers are not accurate because people are too fearful to identify, or authorities misidentify people. We need to vote for people who will support LGBTQ rights.
And I hold out great hope for the future. I also want to thank all of the LGBTQ allies, for there are a great many of you. Let us support one another and stand in solidarity. Come out, come out, where ever you are!
Tags: ACLU, ally, Charlotte, Gary Johnson, GOP, HB2, homophobia, Mike Pence, misogyny, National Coming Out Day..., North Carolina, Politics, Racism, Transphobia
Categories Civil Rights, Feminism, Government, History, LGBTQ, Libraries, Media, Politics, Social Justice
Carolina In My Mind…
…or out of theirs?
First, I need to thank my friend Hal for inspiring me to write this story. When I think of North Carolina, I usually think of James Taylor singing: "In my mind I'm goin to Carolina, Can't you see the sunshine, Can't you just feel the moonshine , Ain't it just like a friend of mine," how sad that is about the only way I can visit North Carolina right now is in my mind. I fear the Teahaddists have taken over, and the tea they have brewed looks like the Kool Aid the KKK have been drinking all these years.
It would appear that the North Carolina GOP either cannot read, or has never bothered to read the actual Constitution of the United States. Just last week, 14 House Republicans in North Carolina "signed onto a resolution that calls for creating an official state religion, declares that people in North Carolina are not subject to decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and proclaims that the state can decide on its own what is constitutional and what is not." Oh my! We need to get some Haldol for these fellows, because they got some serious crazy going on right now. But wait, the crazy does not stop here. During the last session, Rep. Glen Bradley introduced a bill that would have established a separate currency for the state of North Carolina.
This story would have no traction, save that these are not lone voices. House Majority Leader, Edgar Starnes, is wielding his power here with fellow Republicans to establish a state religion. Wait! It gets worse:
Lawmakers approved Governor Pat McCrory's appointment of a man to the State Board of Education who not only favors voucher schemes but doesn't seem to think that gay and lesbian students deserve protection from bullying.
McCrory himself held a press conference to announce he was turning over the state Medicaid program that takes care of the most vulnerable people in the state to the profiteers on Wall Street.
Yes, sadly North Carolina is waving its big bigoted banner of hate, sending us all the message that this is not a state safe for LGBT folk, African Americans, the poor, women, or anyone who is not a wealthy white heterosexual man. My husband and I may have to start an underground railroad to rescue our friends that live there. Let us hope that soon, people will fight back and stop this type of institutional discrimination/racism/homophobia. Send these GOP Bigots packing.
Tags: Constitution, currency, Edgar Starnes, Glen Bradley, homophobia, hypocrisy, James Taylor, Marriage Equality, Medicaid, Medicare, misogyny, North Carolina, Pat McCrory, Poverty, Racism, state religion
Bigot of the Week Award: May 25, Pastor Charles Worley and his Congregation
Bigot of the Week
Thank you to my friend Brad Fairchild for inspiring me to write this article.
This week's bigot is a fine, upstanding example of what christian charity does NOT look like. Pastor Charles Worley of the Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, NC, went on a rant in his sermon on May 13. Blasting President Obama for his support of marriage equality (I wonder how he voted on Amendment One…), Worley went one toxic step further.
I figured a way to get rid of all the lesbians and queers. Build a great, big, large fence — 150 or 100 mile long — put all the lesbians in there… Do the same thing for the queers and the homosexuals and have that fence electrified so they can't get out… And you know what, in a few years, they'll die.
Setting aside both compassion and logic, Worley ignores the scientific fact that people are born gay and the practical fact that HETEROSEXUALS keep on popping them out. Not satisfied with calling for a death camp, Worley went on to call the President a "baby killer" and "homosexual lover." He wrapped up his sermon (which you can see here if you can stomach it) with
God have mercy. It makes me pukin' sick to think about — I don't even know whether or not to say this in the pulpit — can you imagine kissing some man?
REALLY? How loving and KKKristian of you. Just how often DO you imagine kissing some man, Pastor? It turns out that Worley has been preaching this way for decades, including a recently surfaced sermon from 1978 in which he advocates lynching for gays and lesbians. Sadly, his congregation peppered his hate speech with "amens." When interviewed by a local news station, many of them supported his words as "God's Love." While I'm always hesitant to compare folk to Nazis, Pastor Worley is clearly a Nazi with his proposal to set up a death camp for the LGBT community. I feel very sorry for Worley and his followers–that is some serious bad karma! Is anyone else singing this tune?
Tags: Amendment One, Bigot of the Week, bigotry, Chain of Fools, Charles Worley, Gay Marriage, hate, homophobia, hypocrisy, Marriage Equality, Nazi, North Carolina
Categories Civil Rights, Feminism, Government, History, LGBTQ, Media, Politics
What Hath North Carolina Wrought?
New state motto: Get lost, homos.
The forces of bigotry have claimed another state. Yesterday voters in North Carolina approved Amendment One, using their constitution to remove rights rather than enshrine them. Even though state law already established a crude one-man-one-woman limit on marriage, that wasn't enough for the forces of darkness. They wanted this much more stringent law worked into the fundamental document of the state. The people agreed by an embarrassing 61 – 39 margin.
Much like the amendment in Georgia (which drove my husband and me out of the South), this goes beyond the simple discrimination of blocking marriage equality. It states
Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.
This clearly blocks civil unions or domestic partnerships. While the law does provide a loophole for "contracts with another party" it is very unclear how these two components will balance. Legal experts are fairly certain that it will remove domestic violence and hospital visitation rights from LGBT couples at the very least. Where does a "legal union" end and a contract begin? Certainly not on taxation, so what will this mean for wills and other vital agreements?
Polling showed that when likely voters understood how nasty the law actually was, they became 20% less likely to support it. The right-wing disinformation campaign was powerful enough to muddy that message. Even though the NC NAACP, Bill and Chelsea Clinton, Gov. Bev Perdue, and many others campaigned hard to raise awareness, they were drowned out by things like Billy Graham's full-page hate-speech ad in 14 newspapers statewide.
Way to go, North Carolina. Is it fun beating up a disadvantaged population? Too many gay couples already face not just societal discrimination but divisive forces within their own families. Without equality under the law, stressful situations like hospitalization, job loss, and death suddenly become battlegrounds of bigotry as well. This magnificent video makes that perfectly clear.
This is why civil rights should NEVER be subject to a popular vote. Such a vote simply allows a majority to re-express their clear opinion about a population against whom they already discriminate. How does that make sense? We need more leadership to reverse this trend, with brave voices like the Iowa justices who risked (and lost) their jobs to embrace equality. We need strong Federal laws, like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to emphasize the equality of LGBT Americans under the law. We need the vile, hypocritically named Defense of Marriage Act to be overturned so that states cannot hide behind its filthy veil. We need the government of the people to stand up for ALL the people. Clearly, in North Carolina, most of the people are happy to turn their backs on their gay neighbors and walk away. North Carolina, another state NOT SAFE for the LGBT community!
Tags: Amendment One, bigotry, Billy Graham, discrimination, Gay Marriage, homophobia, hypocrisy, Marriage Equality, North Carolina
Categories Civil Rights, Government, History, LGBTQ, Media, Politics, Social Justice
Hero of the Week: May 4, Dr. William Barber II
In a world where oppressed populations are often pitted against one another — and too often allow self-interest to permit such actions — it is wonderful to see someone stand up and loudly say, "Enough!" This week's HWA goes to Dr. William Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP. Responding to the cynical and loathsome tactics of NOM and its allies to split the African-American and LGBTQ communities, he has issued a strong statement.
Barber is responding to Amendment One, a proposed amendment to the NC constitution that would create a one-man-one-woman definition of marriage. Like a number of other, similar amendments in other states — all of which have passed — it also broadly prohibits anything that remotely resembles marriage equality. This would block civil unions and domestic partnerships and wreak havoc with LGBT couples' wills and other legal arrangements.
In a strongly-worded Open Letter to All North Carolinians, he makes his case clearly and eloquently.
The NAACP has always opposed any custom, tradition, practice, law or constitutional amendment that denies any right to any person [and] has a long history of opposing any proposal that would alter the federal or state constitutions for the purpose of excluding any group or individuals from guarantees of equal protection under the law. Our opposition is based on our mission statement which calls for the "equality of rights of all persons." … The North Carolina legislature is not the modern day Council of Nicaea — and we should not want it to be. How should the government address the public policy challenges of abject poverty, unemployment, poor education, economic justice, caring for those without health care, and equal protection under law? These are the questions that the legislature should be addressing. We should not allow my tax dollars, and my beloved state of North Carolina, to put their beliefs into our state's most important document, to dictate to the consciences of other people here.
Well said, Rev. Barber! The vote on Amendment One is next Tuesday and the polling is very tight. Let us hope that the work of the NC NAACP and other equality-minded groups makes it clear what this amendment does and pushes North Carolina to be the first state to vote down such a bigoted amendment.
Honorable mention this week goes to the eleven state Democratic Party chairs who have joined the chorus pushing the DNC to include full marriage equality in the party platform this fall. Calling for the inclusion are John Burton of California, Joan Wagnon of Kansas, John Walsh of Massachusetts, Ken Martin of Minnesota, Jon Wisniewski of New Jersey, Jay Jacobs of New York, Meredith Wood Smith of Oregon, Boyd Richie of Texas, Jake Perkinson of Vermont, Dwight Pelz of Washington, and Mike Tate of Wisconsin. Nice to see our home state of Oregon on this list.
Tags: Amendment One, Gay Marriage, Hero of the Week, homophobia, hypocrisy, intersections of oppression, Marriage Equality, NAACP, NOM, North Carolina, Racism, William Barber
Happy Birthday, Carl Kasell!
Happy Birthday, Carl!
Today we are pleased to celebrate the 78th birthday of a broadcasting legend, the wonderful Carl Kasell. Born in North Carolina in 1934, Carl knew from an early age that he was destined for radio.
Before I even started to school, I sometimes would hide behind the radio, which would be sitting on a table, and pretend that I was on the air, and try to fool people who came by to listen.
His father would take him to the local station where he was mesmerized by the latest news spilling out of the teletype. In high school, his drama coach was Andy Griffith, who encouraged him to pursue the theatre. Kasell was drawn to the radio, though, and while getting his degree from UNC Chapel Hill he co-founded the campus radio station with fellow student Charles Kuralt.
His career advanced from announcer at his hometown radios station to news director at Arlington, VA station WAVA (where he hired Katie Couric as an intern). He moved to NPR in 1975; he was one of the founding voices of Morning Edition, staying with the program from 1979 to 2009.
A clear, recognizable voice with an understanding of the world's events, Kasell has always been a beacon of journalistic integrity. His dedication to ensuring that his listeners understand the issues at hand rather than just receiving the sensational highlights should serve as a lesson to the 21st Century pseudo-news scaremongers.
Carl Kasell also has a great sense of humor and refuses to take himself to seriously. He's the long-time scorekeeper for the news comedy program Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me, a terrific outlet for his wit and charm. A highlight of TSM's 2011 was the chance to see a live taping of the show last October and to meet Carl in person. It also showed the dedication of the program to social justice, teaching through humor.
Carl "retired" at the end of 2009, giving this lovely interview about his career. He's still going strong, though, sharing his great talents with millions of lucky listeners every week. Happy Birthday, Carl!
Tags: broadcasting, Carl Kassel, Journalism, North Carolina, NPR, Radio
Categories Government, History, Libraries, Media, Politics, Social Justice
Bigot of the Week Award: January 27, Pastor Patrick Wooden
Thank you to my friend Ken for nominating Wooden for this week's BWA. How sad to see yet another religious leader spewing such venom and hate in the guise of Christianity, or what I like to call the new KKKristianity. Pastor Wooden, like many homophobes, is obsessed with men having sex with men. He appeared with Peter LaBarbera (huge closet queen) to deliver his words of HATE. Wooden said:
The God of the Bible made the human sperm, the God of the Bible designed it and it was not designed to be emptied into an area that is filled with feces, there is nothing for it to germinate with, it will most certainly mean the extinction of the human race. My belief is that if the medical community would just step forward and just would share with the American people what happens to the male anus, the problems that homosexuals have with their rectums, the damage that is done, the operations that are needed to sew up their bodies if you will, and how many of the men don't even give these stitches time to heal before they are back out there practicing that wicked behavior. Some are bleeders, men who are not turned off by ingesting the feces of other men.
If the truth was told, people would literally gag and no one would want to be in a lifestyle like that. Who wants to practice anything that is going to ultimately lead a grown man to about the time he's in his 40s or 50s, or what not, having to wear a diaper or a butt plug just to be able to contain their bowels?
Wow! Wooden sure does think about anal sex an awful lot. I suspect he probably owns a butt plug of his own. Forgive me for injecting actual truth here, but heterosexuals engage in anal sex as well! I did not realize that people's sex lives was any of Wooden's business. I suppose he isn't interested in being troubled by any medical facts while he spews out his lies and exaggerations; those pesky facts are so troublesome when you have hate to spread.
What worries me more is that Wooden is African-American and the message he is sending out to young people of color is dangerous! We need to support and raise up our LGBT Black brothers and sisters! Shame on you, Pastor Wooden. How long before your boy toy jumps out of the closet?
Tags: Bigot of the Week, Bigot of the Week Award, closeted gays, Gay Sex, homophobia, hypocrisy, Medical Misinformation, North Carolina, Pastor Patrick Wooden, Peter LaBarbera, Upper Room Church of God in Christ
Categories Civil Rights, History, LGBTQ, Media, Politics


What has to be said – and who has to say it | Did you learn anything?
One commenter on Lisa's post responded: "the creators of Holocaust should keep their mouth shut for the sake of decency". This would, in and of itself, be a reasonable comment, except that at this point in history, the people actually behind the Holocaust are for the most part dead – a fate far more pleasant than they deserve, as it were – and this kind of comment aims simply to silence all German criticism of Israel. Oddly enough, you don't hear it when Germans voice opinions supportive of Israeli policy.
I have heard at least one Jewish and one non-Jewish German say they prefer that everyone in Germany just keep their mouth shut on Israel and not have an opinion either way. I can actually understand this and respect it. But it's one thing to say to a group you belong to "hey guys, let's just stay out of this" and quite another to tell a group you very much don't belong to "hey guys, why don't you stay out of this".
There's also something ironic about Israelis, who are typically so keen to tell anyone who hasn't been in the military not to dare criticize it, telling the state that started the last world war to shut up about starting world wars. Yeah, like they would know anything about how that goes. Of course, this would be a different story fifty years ago. If the people criticizing Israel's plans to plunge the world into war were ex-Nazi leadership or German politicians who had been active in the time of Hitler's rise to power – as opposed to pacifists who had been drafted into the Nazi army as teenagers – it would make sense to tell them to STFU, and maybe to give them a fair trial and some swift, cruel, and unusual punishment.2 But the people being told to shut up are not in any way, shape, or form the "creators of the Holocaust", unless you are the kind of racist/nationalist who doesn't think individuals do things except as part of a collective, and that the collective bears full responsibility after the individuals involved are dead.
The people being told to shut up here are in a unique position to inform international discourse. The generations forming the majority of the German public were not involved in the Holocaust, but in the subsequent denazification and the long aftermath of collective self-examination. Aren't we always wiser for having made mistakes? Shouldn't this be even more so when it was one of the most awful mistakes collectively made anywhere, by anyone, ever? Sure, there are some unreflected Germans whose silence merely mirrors the incredibly heavy taboo on this topic and some of them hold despicably racist/nationalist opinions still. But Grass's message is not anti-Semitic. It is pacifistic, very brave, and basically friendly criticism. Like many of us, he sees the potential for a terrible war on the horizon, and Israel stirring it up over a mere possibility of future threat.
Germans have reflected collectively on the unacceptability of war and nationalistic violence more than perhaps any other national group in the world. If they choose to remain silent because they don't trust themselves, due to their culture's past, that's their prerogative. But who are we, who did not grow up in the guilt-and-atonement-ridden German context, to shut them up? Isn't one of the lessons of the Holocaust – and European Totalitarianism in general – that individuals should be allowed to have their own opinions, and if they so choose, voice them, too? Have the unspeakable crimes of one generation of Germans revoked their offsprings' status as human beings?


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The 10 greatest plays in Giants Super Bowl history
By Mark Hale
February 5, 2012 | 6:38am
Tonight marks the Giants' fifth Super Bowl appearance, all in the past 26 years. Here's a ranking of Big Blue's 10 biggest plays in its four previous performances:
10 Justin Tuck's Sack Of Tom Brady
Super Bowl XLII
Pinned back to their 11-yard line with 1:47 to go in the first half, the Patriots are driving — moving to the Giants' 44 with 22 seconds left and possibly getting into field-goal range to increase their 7-3 lead. But Tuck sacks Brady, forcing a fumble, and Osi Umenyiora recovers it to prevent any scoring.
9 Michael Strahan's Sack Of Tom Brady
New England has a third and 7 at the Giants' 25 midway through the third quarter. Strahan sacks Brady for a 6-yard loss. Now with fourth and 13 from the 31, the Patriots go for it — and throw an incomplete pass.
8 Ottis Anderson's Forearm
Super Bowl XXV
A subtle but meaningful play. Facing the powerhouse Bills, Ottis Anderson crushes Buffalo safety Mark Kelso with a forearm uppercut. It sends a message, that the Giants will be tough and physical.
7 Jeff Hostetler'sGrip, Super Bowl XXV
In the second quarter, Hostetler trips going back to pass and Bills star defensive end Bruce Smith grabs the quarterback's right wrist — with the ball in Hostetler's right hand — in the end zone. If Hostetler fumbles, it could be a Bills touchdown. Instead, it ends up being just a safety. The Giants trail 12-3 instead of 17-3, and eventually win 20-19.
6 Ron Dixon's Return, Super Bowl XXXV
The only play to be highlighted from the Giants' lone Super Bowl loss. With his team down 17-0 in the third quarter to the stifling Ravens, Dixon goes 97 yards on a kick return to get Big Blue on the board. It's his second kick return TD of the postseason. Jermaine Lewis answers back on the ensuing kickoff, and the Ravens run away to a 34-7 victory.
5 Mark Ingram's Third and 13, Super Bowl XXV
One of three Giants wideouts to earn a spot in the Top 5. The Giants are at the Buffalo 32-yard line on their first drive of the second half, trailing 12-10. After catching a short pass, Ingram eludes three tackles and nearly a fourth, picking up 14 yards to ensure the drive will continue (a highly recommended 17-second clip is on YouTube). Anderson's 1-yard TD ends up giving the Giants a 17-12 lead.
4 Jeff Rutledge's Fake Punt, Super Bowl XXI
Trailing the Broncos 10-9 at halftime, the Giants' first third-quarter drive includes a fourth-and-1 at their own 46-yard line. You figure they will boot it, but Jeff Rutledge converts a fake punt, gaining
2 yards. The drive is then capped by MVP Phil Simms' 13-yard touchdown pass to Mark Bavaro, putting the Giants in front for good.
3 Plaxico Burress' Fade, Super Bowl XLII
In the greatest moment of Burress' life, the wide receiver hauls in Eli Manning's 13-yard pass in the left side of the end zone with 35 seconds left, lifting the Giants to an incredible 17-14 triumph over the unbeaten Patriots. The play caps a remarkable final drive that also features a fourth-and-1 conversion by Brandon Jacobs and a, uh, semi-memorable grab by David Tyree.
2 Scott NOR-WIDE, Super Bowl XXV
With four seconds left and the Giants up 20-19, Big Blue capture the Super Bowl, thanks to Scott Norwood's 47-yard field-goal miss that sails wide right. It delivers the Giants their second championship in five seasons.
1 David Tyree's Helmet Catch 42, Super Bowl XLII
It gets the ultimate edge over Burress and Norwood because of a few things. Burress' game-winner never would have been able to happen if Tyree/Manning didn't pull off their 32-yard escape-and-helmet-catch absurdity. Norwood's kick hardly was a gimme. The difficulty of Tyree's grab was staggering.
mark.hale@nypost.com
Filed under new york giants
Super Bowl Q&A with ... Steve Tisch


"I have a great doula who makes sure I'm eating well, with vitamins and teas, and with placenta capsulation...Your placenta gets dehydrated and made into vitamins. It's something I was very hesitant about, but we're the only mammals who don't ingest our own placentas. It's not witch-crafty or anything! I suggest it to all moms!" - January Jones (aka Betty Draper), star of Mad Men Interesting. Although I must admit that good nutrition is super important after giving birth. Luckily my mom stayed with us for 5 weeks after we had Miles and she took charge of the cooking. Everyday I had meals composed of good proteins, greens such as kale, and lots of fruits. I am a very firm believer that this helped me stay healthy both physically and mentally. So maybe those placenta capsules aren't such a bad idea :).


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Heiko Holefleisch (* 1949) ist ein deutscher Dramaturg und Fernsehredakteur.

Leben und Karriere
Nach Abschluss seines Studiums arbeitete Holefleisch anfangs als Regie-Assistent beim WDR. 1975 bis 1978 wirkte er dort als Lektor und war außerdem von 1976 bis 1979 Dramaturg an den Städtischen Bühnen Essen.

1980 und 1981 war Holefleisch Dramaturg und Literature-Adviser bei der Berkeley Stage Company in San Francisco aber gleichfalls Dramaturg des Schauspielhauses Düsseldorf. 1981 ging Holefleisch zum Schauspiel Frankfurt und war dort bis 1990 als Dramaturg bzw. Gastdramaturg tätig, von 1986 bis 1989 dann als eines der Mitglieder der Künstlerischen Leitung. 1987 bis 1989 war Holefleisch Mitglied der Jury des Frankfurter Hörspielpreises. Bis 1991 arbeitete Holefleisch in Frankfurt u. a. als Redakteur und Autor für den Hessischen Rundfunk, ging danach aber zum ZDF.

2001 wechselte er als Nachfolger von Hans-Günther Brüske als neuer Koordinator zum Sender ARTE, ist inzwischen aber im Ruhestand.

Holefleisch war langjährig verantwortlicher Redaktionsleiter für Programme wie Evelyn Hamanns Geschichten aus dem Leben, Katharina die Große, Stubbe – Von Fall zu Fall und andere ZDF-Erfolge.

Einzelnachweise

Dramaturg
Fernsehproduzent
Deutscher
Geboren 1949
Mann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Are there any 24 hour walmarts in los angeles
If you are searching for the Are there any 24 hour walmarts in los angeles then must check out reference guide below.
When did Walmart start 24 hours?
By 1967, the company grew to 24 stores across the state of Arkansas, and had reached $12.6 million in sales, and by 1968, the company opened its first stores outside of Arkansas in Sikeston, Missouri, and Claremore, Oklahoma. The company's first stock split occurred in May 1972 at a market price of $47.
How many Walmart are there in Los Angeles?
The answer: 212, according to a map (shown above) prepared by the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, using the methodology of the ALIGN report.
Does Los Angeles have a Walmart?
Walmart in Los Angeles, CA | Serving 90007 | Store 91016.
Which US city has no Walmart?
Why doesn't NYC have a Wal-Mart? Walmart does not have a store in New York City due to price, competition, and the city's grid system. New York City has high real estate making it very expensive to operate their large stores.
What was Walmart called before Walmart?
Walmart's current logo since 2008
Walmart Home Office (headquarters) in December 2012
Formerly Wal-Mart Discount City (1962–1969) Wal-Mart, Inc. (1969–1970) Wal–Mart Stores, Inc. (1970–2018)
Type Public
Traded as NYSE: WMT DJIA component S&P 100 component S&P 500 component
What's the biggest Walmart in California?
The Largest walmart in Bay Area is at San Leandro. It is at 194,000 square feet, it's the biggest Walmart in the Fresno area. There are 280 Walmart Stores in California.
Union City.
Address 30600 Dyer St, Union City, CA 94587
Telephone No. +1 (510) 475-5915
Opening Time 6 AM
Closing Time 11 PM
Does NYC Have a Walmart?
Walmart does not have a store in New York City due to price, competition, and the city's grid system. New York City has high real estate making it very expensive to operate their large stores. In addition, Walmarts wider spread store layouts do not fit into the New York grid structure of the city.
How many Walmarts are in NYC?
98 Walmart Stores in New York.
Where is the smallest Walmart in the USA?
Walmart made retail history today by opening its smallest store ever. While a tiny Walmart—the store near Georgia Tech's campus is around 2,500 square feet—seems like an oxymoron, don't let the size fool you.
Where is the biggest Walmart in USA?
Largest U.S. Walmart Supercenter Is Located In Albany NY
Walmart's 3,500+ Supercenters across the nation typically average 179,000 square feet. The Crossgates Commons Walmart Supercenter is nearly 260,000 square feet.
What state has the most Walmart?
Number of Walmart stores in the United States as of 2022, by state
Are there any 24 hour walmarts in california
Are there any 24 hour walmarts near me


The type of debris varies considerably depending on the type of hazards and vulnerable objects in the communities. Often building materials and broken/ scattered remains form a major part of debris. Immediate clearance of debris becomes a pre-condition for restoration of accessibility in the affected sites. Debris management is a labour intensive process and offers employment opportunity for the unemployed labourers in the affected region. Recycling plays an important role for re-usable building materials from the debris/rubble. The key steps in the management of debris include collection (putting them together in certain places/points), clearance (putting them aside or stabilising unstable wreckages to ensure safe access), removal (taking them away from the site), recycling (salvaging or reusing), or disposal (taking the to the final solution) with the objectives of making debris no longer pose hindrance to humanitarian and recovery actions or obstacle and/or hazard to the crisis affected populations. Clearance of debris is a labour intensive process. It is important to assess the problems of debris and specify the number of problematic sites in accordance with geographic subdivision of the crisis-affected areas. Refer to the Guidelines for Dealing with Disaster Waste (forthcoming) being developed by UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit with the support of Swedish Civil Contingency Agency (MSB).
Pre-crisis level information about land-use plan and built environment, types and use of building materials. Pre-crisis level information on unemployed day labourers including information about any cultural/religious barrier for woman to work outside their homes.


A number of years ago, I co-led a day-long retreat on forgiveness. A woman (who didn't end up signing up for the retreat) wanted to talk about what it would be like before committing. As I explained the basic format, and how I imagined it unfolding, she kept saying things like, "How could anyone forgive the atrocities …." and then she went on to name notoriously horrible crimes, situations, and individuals. I kept trying to bring her back by saying things like,"What we will be dealing with, is who (or what) you are having trouble forgiving". I didn't say this to put her off, but to keep her focused.
But she wouldn't go there. She wanted an answer to a question that (at that moment in time) she wasn't being asked (by the larger part of herself) to deal with. I don't understand how people can forgive some of the crimes that have been committed against them or those they love either, . …but I understand that each one of us must forgive what has happened to us and to those we care about.
We are each given our own situation to "forgive" …it is as if we all have our own "corners of the Universe" to redeem, and when we do our work, no matter how small or insignificant our part seems to be, we help all of humanity.
As I think back on that retreat, I'm not sure it was very effective. I thought I knew a lot about forgiveness. I certainly had read a lot of books, participated in many retreats, and talked to many others about it. I just hadn't finished my piece yet. I still struggled with feelings of resentment and anger at both of my parents and deep down (although I didn't consciously admit this) I didn't think it was possible to be free of these feelings. I witnessed what long-term resentments did to others, I just didn't realize how much my own lack of forgiveness, toward my parents, was effecting my life and my current relationships.
The change came for me when I realized that time and age would not eliminate the resentments. I saw so many people around me at ages 50, 60, and into their 80's, still carrying around resentments from childhood, and I could see what it was doing to them. Energetically, they looked like beings with huge, old, army duffel bags strapped to their backs, lumbering though life, weighted down, as the loads got heavier and heavier.
Sometimes it is easier to see in others, and I just knew that it was time to do my work, if I wanted a life of inner peace and freedom.
How do we forgive? We commit to do our part to clean up our own past. We make a commitment to ourselves, to stop blaming others for the way our lives turned out. We make a decision that nothing is more important than our own happiness. And then, almost like a miracle, something larger than ourselves comes in and helps us. We open the door by being willing to forgive everyone, and find out that the work is being done for us, and through us….and then we refuse to take it back again.
P.S If you had asked for an affirmation (Monday's post) and I missed your comment, please comment again and I will choose an affirmation for you.
Good Morning, Mary! Thank you so much for this post. It is the second reminder for me already today about the importance of forgiveness. The one biggy for me these past few months has been around my sister and I am finally, finally loosening my grip on anger. I am finally getting closer to real forgiveness. I've felt it in spurts, but nothing long-lasting, yet. And yes, I would love an affirmation! Sending Love.
I also wanted to share a book on forgiveness by D. Patrick Miller.
I believe that forgiveness is a very large part (if not all) of our life's work.
Thank you for this lovely blog. As always it resonates. An affirmation would be welcome today. I could not get this message through yesterday (cranky computer) so maybe today is the day!
How reassuring, thank you for this message.
Mary – I love this post. In reading this it struck me that, if more people took these words to heart, many conflicts would simply be resolved or not even arise. This is a very powerful message for me right now. I'm tempted to share it with some fellow members of, ironically, a church committee, who are "festering" with their lack of forgiveness. Thank you – sending hugs your way.
Dear Mary…thank you for this post today,as I needed to hear it! Forgiving is one of the most powerful awareness exercises…..especially forgiveness of ourselves. I love the quote and will keep it in my mind today.
Hi Sandy! I love your comment about judgement…thank you!
Another something for me to share. This is from the recent Hay House Summit and it is an interview with Immaculee.
I always have a problem with the word forgive. I tend to think of forgiving as an expression of love outward to someone one who has effected me in a negative way. To forgive suggests that we have examined, and found a problem, and then have chosen the path to not be upset by it. We have decided that the perpetrator of the thing which we are to forgive, has made a mistake of some sort. We choose to not feel unkindly toward them – not to experience anger toward them.
I don't feel this way. For me, once I recognized that I am the creator of my life, then this notion that there is some event or happening outside of me that requires the sending of love, just makes no sense.
I had a difficult childhood, but I feel no anger or resentment. I see us all in a play together – an agreed upon play. If the parts are played really well, there will be tragedy and comedy worthy of applause. But we players all love each other and understand that we are in a play. What is there to forgive? It makes no sense.
My affirmation might have been lost….
Last night was an especially difficult night for me. Just recently my own ability to forgive has been challenged. I'm positive the family members evoking this imagined feeling (on my part) of being abandoned were not aware of what I was going through as they were just so busy living their own lives and being happy.
I tossed and turned and had images of getting up at 2 AM and making pancakes or maybe waffles with lots of butter and maple syrup. Finally I stopped tossing and realized where I was and exactly what was happening all around me.
This worked for about an hour and then more images came rushing in screaming for my attention and energy. Finally I said to all those images that made me feel so inadequate and unworthy that I had enough of all their put downs. Maybe I am not perfect in their eyes, have enough money to be counted among the elite and articulate – then like a soft gentle voice these emotions were replaced by the lines of a song – "count your blessings – name them one by one". Once I began the list I realized I had the right to have these blessings and a peaceful sleep started – that was until a very hungry cat started combing my hair to announce it was time to get up and create more blessings.
Could not resist adding this. It is so peaceful the way Bing Crosby sings it.
What memories! Thank you Mary!
"One thing I know" as Oprah would say, is that forgiveness is most definitely a process. It doesn't just happen by waving the magic wand of words over another person, "I forgive you." It takes time, but it is the most freeing gift you give, number one, to yourself, so that you may walk forward in life less burdened, and to the one who you perceive has harmed you in the past, you give them too, a measure of the grace and mercy that God bestows upon us constantly. Has to be a most important reason that it is included in the Lord's Prayer, "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors". Thank you again Mary for your Affirmation Marathon – I have so enjoyed reading them all, – what a flock we are!
Hi — I didn't ask for an affirmation on Monday, but I realized that I really wished that I had. So thanks for asking again!
Yes, i had asked for an affirmation and haven't yet gotten your reply. Thank you!
Mary, your insight this morning is profound and I cannot see any other way around the issue of blaming others, trying for forgiveness, letting go of the pain of past hurts and experiences than to turn to a Higher Power. I can't do it on my own, I can let a lot more go now than I have been able to in the past but the old reactions rear their heads in ways that surprise me even now…so I wonder. Your site provides me with the spiritual fertilizer my mind needs, Mary, and that may not be a good way to put it…but it does allow me to grow.
Thank you for that, Cindy, you've put it well. Progress is not perfection.
Mary, I would love to have an affirmation! As always, you brighten my day and open my mind.
I am having trouble forgiving my brother for not loving me or his daughter.I need an affirmation.Thanks so much for your blog.
My dear Bro — sending you another excellent writing by our Mary Muncil….I think this is very good, and very fitting. I hope you can find something in here that speaks to you.
All is well, we are enjoying this group of campers we are here with — the Granite Staters — some activities each day, visiting each other, meals done up by some, and so on…..and the weather has been wonderful, thank heavens! Guess it will be getting hot and humid from now on for several days….could do without the humidity!


Bajaj have recently released the Pulsar RS200 which was made challenging the KTM RC200, and the result is positive, the RS200 was very much loved by the people. The RS 200 is also a flagship bike of Bajaj till date, but Mr. Rajiv Bajaj has also said that after the success of the RS200 soon they are going to launch the new Pulsar RS400. Often then the company has given many hints saying that soon Bajaj is releasing new motorbike which will again give a big challenge to the KTM RC390.
The release date of the Pulsar RS400 is not too far, according to the company the motorbike is soon going to launched in India by the financial month of 2017. The Pulsar RS 400 is expected to come with many interesting features, and yes the RS400 is inspired by the new motorbike i.e. the CS400, just the difference is the RS will have the visor, but the CS400 is not having.
Here is the TVS Akula 310 Releasing Soon in India!
As I have said that there is much expectation for the Pulsar RS 400. So let's try to know what the expectation that is to come with the new Pulsar RS 400 are?
Below I have given all the expected features, specification, price and release date of this motorbike. You must read out this; it's amazing as it rivals many new things in it.
About the design of the Pulsar RS 400, it is the same as the Pulsar RS200. So it will not have many cosmetic changes in the exterior, but you will see some extra graphic in the front and on the fuel tank making the bike look more sporty and wild. Talking about the lights of the bike, the Pulsar RS 400 is supposed to come with the same dual projector headlamp with the LED DRls, in the back the tail light is also the same like the RS200 (all LED).
The new Pulsar RS400 is supposed to come with many different colors like Yellow, Sporty Black, Shiny Red, Silver, and Blue so that you can go for your favorite colors easily.
The new RS400 is expected to have great mechanism specification, and the pulsar RS400 is supposed to have 380cc oil cooled single cylinder engine which can produce a maximum power of 42 PS with a torque of 35 Nm and a 6-speed gear system for smooth driving.
Not only the engine, but the suspension of the new pulsar RS400 is also expected to be very smooth as they are using Telescopic fork suspension in the front wheel and mono shock gas charged suspension in the rear. You will be able t overcome all the small holes or bumps in the road, but on high speed, you will need to take care as the mono shock rear suspension is bouncy.
The new Pulsar RS400 is coming with 17-inch alloy MRF tubeless wheel, so it is very good for track racing. Yes, it is also good for the Indian street, but it is not much better than the Michelin tyres that are used in the KTM RC390. Now coming to the braking system of the motorbike, in the front wheel you will get 300mm disc brakes, and in the rear, you are getting a 230mm disc with floating caliper.
Not only about the speed, but the Pulsar RS400 is also supposed to be a fuel efficient bike, with the kerb weight of 152 Kg the bike is expected to give atleast 29km/ltr. In the Indian road. The bike is also given a good mileage other than speed, so is supposed to be the best bike for Indian road if you are looking for a sporty motorbike.
Tata Racemo Sport Coupe Car Indian is getting a new baby in the sports car community.
There are many expected features of Bajaj Pulsar RS400, so let's check out the amazing features of the new sports bike.
The bike is having LED daytime running lights; the bike is given features just like in the car.
New design aircraft type fuel filler cap, the same design fuel filler cap is also used in the aeroplanes.
The meter cluster is all digital which will indicate you about the vehicle and many more things like fuel etc.
Not only the meter cluster but you are also getting gear shifting indicator which is very helpful as it indicates you when yup upshift or downshift the gear.
Yes, the new Pulsar RS400 has a new-spilt seat which gives a more sporty look to the bike.
The wheel rim is also very stylish giving a cool look to the bike.
Yes, the bike comes with an auto cancelling indicator, so no more going manually.
The rear view mirrors of the bike are mounted in such a way that it looks very sporty.
So this all features of the bike is ready to make the Pulsar RS400 the best bike in 400cc in India. Now let's have a look at the expected price and release date of the new Bajaj Pulsar RS400.
New Bajaj Pulsar RS400 is expected to get released in the Indian market by the end of the year 2017 or by the month of September 2017. After the release of the bike all, it's rival like the KTM RC 390, CBR 250R, etc. will need to give big competition.
Coming to the price of the new Pulsar RS400 the price seems to be affordable, the expected price of the RS400 in India will start from 2.50 lakh to 3 lakh. According to me if you are using a 400 cc bike this much price seems affordable.


text:
The MS 61 (French: Matériel Suburbain de 1961, English: Suburban rolling stock of 1961) was an electric multiple unit trainset that was operated on line A and line B of the Réseau Express Régional (RER), a hybrid suburban commuter and rapid transit system serving Paris and its Île-de-France suburbs.

The MS 61 borrowed many elements from the Z 23000 railcars built for the Ligne de Sceaux (a predecessor of the RER B), including four pairs of doors on each side of the cars for fast boarding of passengers at stations, but the MS 61 was capable of speeds of up to  compared to  for the Z 23000.

Unlike later rolling stock for the RER lines, the MS 61 lacked dual-voltage capabilities and could only use the RATP's 1.5 kV DC electrical system, limiting them to only operating between  and  or  on the RER A and between Gare du Nord and  or  on the RER B.

The MS 61 trains first entered service on 29 June 1967 on the RER B and were removed from the line on 28 February 1983 after the delivery of the MI 79 and MI 84 dual-voltage trainsets. The MS 61 trains began operation on the RER A on 14 December 1969 where they remained in service until 16 April 2016 after gradually being replaced by the MI 2N and MI 09 series of dual-voltage, higher capacity (double-decker) trains.

History

Construction

The MS 61 series was built before the RER came into existence on 8 December 1977: a total of 127 units and one spare trailer were built by Brissonneau et Lotz, ANF and  for the RATP from 1963.

The manufacturers constructed a total of six types for the MS 61 series: A, B, C, D, E and Ex. Types A and B had a windshield with three-sections of glass, while types C, D, E and Ex had a windshield with a single curved piece of glass (similar in appearance to the MF 67 for the Paris Métro).

Service history

The first MS 61 trains (type A units) entered service on the Ligne de Sceaux (now the southern part of RER B) from 29 June 1967. On 14 December 1969, type B units replaced trains pulled by SNCF class 141TB steam locomotives on the Ligne de Vincennes (now part of RER A), following the completion of electrification work and the relocation of the western terminus from Gare de la Bastille to .

Type C units entered service when the western end of the RER A between  and  opened on 19 January 1970, and reached  on 23 November 1971: type D units then reinforced the former when that line extended to Saint-Germain-en-Laye on 1 October 1972, displacing the  trains. From 8 December 1977, the connection of RER A and B at , and the extension of RER A to Noisy-le-Grand – Mont d'Est allowed all MS 61 units, including the Type E and Ex units, to move between and operate on the two lines.

MS 61 trains reached  (on RER A) on 19 December 1980 and Gare du Nord (RER B) on 10 December 1981, but the next northern RER B extensions to Charles de Gaulle Airport and  (completed 7 June 1983) would use SNCF's 25 kV AC electrification, instead of RATP's 1.5 kV DC system that the MS 61 could only handle. Consequently, the MI 79 and MI 84 units, both of which were designed to work with the two electrification systems, replaced the MS 61 units on RER B by 28 February 1983, but the track connections north of Châtelet - Les Halles allowed empty MS 61 trains to continue accessing the southern part of RER B.

For the remainder of their service life, MS 61 trains operated on the RATP-owned sections of the RER A, which (from 1 April 1992) was from Saint Germain-en-Laye to Boissy-Saint-Léger and (occasionally) Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy.

MS 61 trains were never the oldest in service on the RER: the Z 23000 trains (from 1937) remained in service on the Ligne de Sceaux until 27 February 1987, while the Z 5300 trains (from 1965) joined the RER fleet on 26 September 1979. The last Z 5300 trains operated on the RER D between  and  until 8 December 2018, when they were replaced by 19 Regio 2N (Z 57000) trains.

Refurbishment

There were two refurbishment programmes for the MS 61 trains: the first one took place between 1985 and 1992, and the other rebuilt 105 units between 2005 and 2008. In the second refurbishment, the front ends were replaced with a new design. The first train from the second refurbishment entered service on 26 April 2006.

Withdrawal

The MI 09 double-decker trains, which entered service on 5 December 2011, replaced all MS 61 and MI 84 trains on RER A, as part of a works programme to increase passenger capacity and replace life-expired infrastructure. Once all MS 61 and MI 84 trains were withdrawn from service, all trains on the RER A were double-decker (MI 2N "Altéo" and MI 09).

In 2014, the RATP appointed Veolia Environment to dismantle and recycle the MS 61 units that were part of the second refurbishment programme, plus two additional cars. Veolia dismantled these trains at a specialised facility at Torvilliers, because the trains contained hazardous materials such as asbestos.

In 2010, the RATP selected trainset 24 (cars M.15050, AB.18024 and M.15151) for preservation at as part of the historic rail vehicle collection at the Villeneuve-Saint-Georges yard. The selected unit was not part of the second refurbishment programme, and retains the original front ends and the "Île-de-France" livery.

Design and features

Seating and accessibility

According to the RATP, one MS 61 unit was capable of carrying up to 721 passengers (292 seated and 429 standing): the trains also provided luggage racks in both first and second classes, but they were removed in the first refurbishment programme from 1985 to 1992. The trailer cars also had a first class section: the Syndicat des Transports Parisiens (STP, now Île-de-France Mobilités) abolished first class travel on 1 September 1999, and the second refurbishment programme removed the bulkheads that divided the first and second class sections, along with those that separated the leading set of doors of the driving motor.

The seats originally used leatherette covering, and were coloured green in first class, and red in second class. During the first refurbishment programme, they were replaced by a fire and vandal-resistant design that used a navy blue plastic frame and purple fabric covering. In the second refurbishment programme, the seats were replaced again, with a similar design that used an orange plastic frame and a moquette of multicoloured stripes.

The MS 61 trains were built at a time when wheelchair accessibility was not a priority. Following the second refurbishment, the leading end of motor cars were designated for users with wheelchairs, as well as passengers with bicycles. In practice however, wheelchair users would travel on the leading car because there was no level access between the platform and the train, and a staff-operated boarding ramp (located on the platforms) had to be used to allow wheelchair users to board or alight an MS 61 train.

Passenger information

The second refurbishment programme introduced the  (SISVE) to the MS 61: SISVE is a passenger information system that consists of automated passenger information announcements and electronic line diagrams.

Operation and signalling

Initial batches of MS 61 trains were operated by a two-person crew of a motorman and a conductor, as it had been the case for the trains that they replaced: however, they were later converted for one-person operation. The operation of passenger doors on the MS 61 was the same as the Paris Métro trains, until the introduction of the MF 77 in September 1978: passengers manually opened the doors by using a handle-based latch, the conductor or motorman closed them prior to departure, and a departure bell signalled that all the doors were locked.

MS 61 trains originally operated on block signalling: in 1989, they were converted for the SACEM signalling system (Système d'aide à la conduite, à l'exploitation et à la maintenance), which currently operates on the core section of RER A.

Power

The MS 61 trains were single-voltage units that only operated on RATP's 1,500 kV DC network: they could not serve the  (A3) and  (A5) branches, because those branches used SNCF's 25 kV / 50 Hz AC electrification.

Numbering and formation

 Type A: M.15001 to M.15031 + AB.18001 to 18015
 Type B: M.15032 to M.15124 + AB.18016 to 18062
 Type C: M.15125 to M.15148 + AB.18063 to 18074
 Type D: M.15149 to M.15216 + AB.18075 to 18108
 Type E: M.15217 to M.15236 + AB.18109 to 18118
 Type Ex: M.15237 to M.15254 + AB.18119 to 18128 (with AB.18128 being the reserve trailer).

In passenger service, the MS 61 series usually ran in two or three pairs (6 or 9 cars), depending on the timetable. They could also run as a single pair, although they rarely did in passenger service.

Front design

The MS 61 series used three types of dot-matrix displays for the destination panel. When delivered, the MS 61 used four 5×7 panels surrounded by two lights, and was capable to displaying a four-digit service number (e.g. ) in amber.

Following the first refurbishment of the 1980s, the destination panel changed to six 5×7 panels, which was capable of displaying the mission code in amber, and the service number in red, without spaces (e.g. , , etc.).

Following the second refurbishment of the 2000s, the destination panel changed to a single grid of 100×16 pixels, which was capable of alternating between the destination and the mission code and service number. This type of destination panel is also in use on the MI 79 and MI 09 trains, as well as the MI 84 trains that operate on the RER B.

Liveries

RATP has used three liveries for the MS 61 series:

 The first livery was blue and (light) grey, similar to the Paris Métro trains at the time, but without yellow borders. The first class section was denoted by a yellow stripe instead of being painted entirely in cream yellow.
 The second livery, known as the "Île-de-France" livery, was navy and white, with red doors and front panel. Three trains (M.15002-AB.18001-M.15007, M.15053-AB.18046-M.15054 and M.15067-AB.18048-M.15066) carried a variant of the livery to deter graffiti artists.
 The third livery was also navy and white, but the front end had a red roof and white panel with the RATP logo, and large tilted red squares bordered with white to mark the location of the passenger doors.

Cooling and ventilation

The MS 61 trains were manufactured at a time when cooling on the central section of the RER A was not a major issue: this meant that the trains did not have (and never had) air conditioning fitted, with ventilation originally being provided by single top sash windows on one side of any given car. The sash pane could be lowered enough for anyone to look out ahead.

In the early stages of the second refurbishment in the 2000s, the sash and fixed windows were replaced by hopper windows on both sides to reduce external noise, but passenger complaints regarding poor ventilation during the peak hours resulted in the adoption of an alternating arrangement of hopper and (reinstated) sash windows.

Accidents and incidents

On 19 January 1981, a MS 61 train crashed into the rear of another at , killing one person and injuring 71 others. According to French railway magazine Historail in 2016, the crash was caused by human error relating to a newly installed signal that came into operation two days prior.

References

Electric multiple units of France
1967 in rail transport


Ghost Fish Games, a division of Other Ocean Group, confirmed today that Tabletop Gods, the arcade action battle game, is now available in Early Access on Steam.
In Tabletop Gods, you play a power-hungry God commanding devout mortal followers across tabletop battlefields in frenetic, arcade-style combat against other players! Cast powerful spells to thwart your enemy's advances or to bolster your own attacks. Destroy your enemy's Strongholds to gain new territory. Command your believers to squash the other player's heathen troops.
Tabletop Gods will first release on the Steam Store in Early Access for PC Windows, and in Virtual Reality for HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift + Touch with Xbox controller support; Other VR platforms are planned to follow. The game was developed in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island with valued support from the Canada Media Fund, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Innovation PEI.


The interconnected global technological environment, better known as cyberspace, provides a viable vehicle for the computer-literate and educated segments of society to express their social, political and cultural views, particularly in countries such as Iran where authorities try to limit or completely block public access to the internet and social media. This virtual environment is also used by state-sponsored "cyber armies" to hack other governments' systems and disseminate false information.
Research has shown that while people on Instagram tend to highlight cultural issues, those using Facebook are more inclined to exchange social and political views. However, Twitter users are arguably the most partisan group, promoting specific political agendas. Politicians, government officials, and activists are very active on Twitter. Those keen on social media have their particular followers.
We should, however, view all surveys carried out on Twitter with a dose of healthy scepticism, given that even the data collected by prestigious research centers and polling organizations in the past few years in developed countries somewhat differs and even in some cases completely contradicts real public sentiment. For instance, the fact that Iranian society is very political doesn't necessarily mean that people seriously discuss political issues online. There is no definitive data on the number of people whose primary reason for using the internet is to exchange views on social and political issues.
Most research into the humanities revolves around a few sets of theories, premises or beliefs. For instance, a survey carried out among 1,000 people on their preferred radio transmission is designed in such a way as to guide them towards a particular final answer. While the participants can, at any time, stop the survey, they are not able to offer alternative responses to the ones presented to them. Studies conducted on Twitter are no exception to this rule. They revolve around the researchers' specific set of theories and predictions. The designers of a survey have, in all likelihood, anticipated all possible answers to a question.
I raised three questions in October which centered around two principal issues, namely, what roles do self-interest and also subjective political views play in a person's responses in a survey? For instance, do the so-called pro-democracy advocates who participate in an online study factor in the social welfare and political freedom of all citizens in their answers? Also, Iranians have had entirely different experiences with individual and social freedom before and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. How much do personal liberty and other fundamental human rights of ordinary citizens, which are the cornerstones of a democratic political system, play a role in determining the so-called pro-democracy group's decision to favor the Pahlavi dynasty which preceded Islamic Republic rule?
Researchers asked the "hypothetical either/or" question for a week from the participants, the majority of whom posted their responses in the first three days. The voting had slowed down considerably by the fourth day. Of a total of 5,632 people who answered this question, 94 percent voted for the Pahlavi dynasty, and only six percent chose the Islamic Republic. The reason for proposing an either/or question was that we'd experienced both systems of government.
Iranians have been living with the Islamic Republic for the past 40 years. More than 70 percent of the population is under 35 years old which means that they were born after 1979. Two generations of Iranians have lived under the current regime. People in their thirties and younger have not known any other governing system.
The majority of those who voted for the Pahlavi dynasty in the survey are too young to remember that era. They have lived under Islamic Republic rule their entire life. They wouldn't dream of a bygone era if they weren't so unhappy with their living conditions. Iranians who lived during the Pahlavi dynasty never wished they had lived under Qajar rule. Intelligence is a cognitive process that relies significantly on experience.
The people who voted for the Pahlavi dynasty in the survey were intelligent enough to recognize which system would most likely safeguard their interest and protect their rights. Conversely, the six percent who voted for the Islamic Republic either like the system or are anti-Pahlavi. Their choice is not rational but political and ideological.
The second survey aimed to determine what percentage of participants choose the welfare of the nation over their self-interest. Also, how many people aligned their self-interest with common objectives, and if those active on Twitter and social media behaved according to their political and ideological beliefs or their self-interest and the welfare of society. The result indicates that many of those who voted for the Pahlavi dynasty in the first survey chose the third option, namely a democratic government, in the second questioner.
The third survey asked participants to choose between a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Of the 5,145 who took part in the research, 47 percent chose parliamentary democracy, and the remaining 53 percent voted for a constitutional monarchy. These two systems are both intelligent and logical because they are based on democratic principles and guarantee the human rights of the individual and the entire society. The study aimed to find out what percentage of the Twitter users voted for each system.
The result indicates that Iranians are split on this question because many people believe that the Pahlavi dynasty created a stable social and political system and ushered a period of economic prosperity in the country. Both choices offer a parliamentary system which gives people the opportunity to play a significant role in determining their fate.
There are Iranians who believe that a transitional government must rule with an iron fist to prevent social and political chaos. It is, however, disgraceful to advocate a heavy-handed governing approach given that we've witnessed and experienced constitutional monarchy and political freedom during the Pahlavi era.
The world has changed drastically in the last forty years. As a critical piece in the geopolitical puzzle, Iran couldn't avoid the inevitable technological changes that have impacted the region and the world. However, the Islamic Republic has prevented our nation from realizing its creative potential.
We must first consign the regime to the ash heap of history. Those who are calling for regime change in Iran must protect the human rights of the people. They must also safeguard parliament, which makes laws and holds the government to account for its policies, actions, and spending. People make their voice heard through parliament.
The executive and the Judiciary depend on the legislative branch for their work. Parliament is the critical component of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The result of the third survey shows that irrespective of their political differences, both sides can work together towards establishing democracy in Iran.
There is a great desire for positive change, freedom, democracy and the right to choose.
A large segment of the population, particularly the younger generations, lack in-depth knowledge of the modern history of Iran and the Islamic Republic's rule in the past 40 years.
Many people are ignorant of social, political and economic issues.
There is irrational and emotional support for certain political views and people.
The supporters of authoritarian regimes are in the minority in these surveys.
Social media including Twitter is a fact of life, but it doesn't tell the whole story.
We must, therefore, do our utmost to inform and educate people including those who are active on social media. It is also imperative for people to have access to reliable sources of information during the post-Islamic Republic transition period, which would enable them to make rational, intelligent and informed decisions that would protect their self-interest as well as the welfare of the entire nation. Ideology and inflexible religious doctrine harm a society. The Islamic Republic doesn't safeguard individual civil rights or the collective well-being of the Iranian people. The regime is neither intelligent nor wise. It lacks logic and common sense.
We are facing the critical task of having to confront the Islamic Republic, and transforming a society that has been shaped and controlled by the regime for the past 40 years. A select minority has been dominating the social, political and economic life of the country. The regime's tentacles reach even social media, and although it is unable to cause serious harm through cyberspace, it could inflict irreparable damage in the real world by continuing to violate the human rights of its citizens.
We must isolate extremists on both sides; conservatives, reformists and Islamists at one end of the political spectrum, and opposition armed groups, secessionist and radical nationalists at the other end. All those who have fought tirelessly for freedom undoubtedly wish for a democratic and prosperous Iran.