text:
Christmas Forums
Christmas Radio
Christmas Weekly
Christmas Podcast
Christmas in the Courts
Indiana Town Cowers from Bullying ACLU
Editor Blogged Christmas Battles, Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Church & State December 14, 2016 December 14, 2016 0 Comment
It is a familiar Christmas story in America: a community adopts a symbol of the season — a Nativity, a tree or something similar — then the city gets threatened. Fearing a costly public battle city officials quickly give in. This time it is Knightstown, Indiana and the symbol is a cross atop a city Christmas tree. The ALCU calls that "establishment of a state religion".
According to several media reports Knightstown resident Joseph Tompkins argues that the Christian symbol on display in the Knightstown town square violates the First Amendment. The lawsuit is seeking for removal of the cross, monetary damages and declaration that the cross display violates the First Amendment.
Tompkins, and the ACLU, agree that the cross is offensive and "forcing" religion on those who don't want it. What they want is money and to force EVERYONE in Knightstown to believe as Tompkins believes. In essence, if this case is won by the ACLU Knighstown will be forced to be atheist.
Nobody will see it that way, of course.
The community has responded as you would expect. Crosses are suddenly everywhere.
But this will end as it always ends. The cross comes down. There will be no court case. And yet another sad chapter in misreading the Constitution will be written.
The suit says Tompkins "is forced to come into direct and unwelcome contact" with the cross on top of the tree as he drives through town. This, the suit says, has caused him "irreparable harm," which can only be remedied by taking the cross down and paying Tompkins monetary damages.
The only "irreparable harm" comes from an elected City council that won't stand up for itself and for the people it represents. They should counter sue for damages caused by all the publicity and take it to the ACLU. Hit them where they live — in the pocketbook.
It's the American way.
Florida City Takes Light Enthusiasts to Court
Editor Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Light Fights June 2, 2015 June 2, 2015 Hyatt Extreme Christmas 0 Comment
In the most famous Christmas light fight in America things are about to get really ugly — if they weren't ugly enough already. The City of Plantation, Florida has imposed every warning, fine and ordinance it can but the Hyatt Extreme Christmas display has not only endured it has grown larger. So the city is going to court to prove its case. According to local media a judge will hold a hearing on the matter June 4th.
Other Christmas light enthusiasts from around the country are watching and starting to sound off. Lon Wilkins, from Henderson, Nevada, operates a popular local display in his own neighborhood. "I was supportive of the Hyatts at first because they seem like nice people just trying to celebrate Christmas," Wilkins said. "But as we have watched this unfold it is clear they have been more about getting bigger and gaining more attention. They seem to have forgotten that the central message of Christmas is peace. If they cannot make peace with their own neighbors what are they all about anyway? I think it is all very sad."
The case is important because Christmas lights on a much smaller scale have become an issue in many communities and home owner associations across the country. During 2014 we documented several instances where even simple displays of Christmas were disputed by local ordinance. If the City of Plantation case against Hyatt Extreme Christmas is successful it may fuel further lawsuits against Christmas light lovers.
Plantation Mayor Diane Veltri Bendekovic, who celebrates Christmas, said she is concerned for the neighbors who she said are forced to flee their homes during the holiday season.
"Who is dealing with all the madness again? Us," said neighbor Dolly Imbert. "We have to go in and out of our houses. Where are my rights? It's not a normal situation. This is insane. It should not be happening, period."
The Hyatts were featured in 2013 on "The Great Christmas Light Fight" for their display that features moving characters, a movie screen showing a loop of films, a snow-blowing machine, flashing lights, and an occasional live Santa and "reindeer." Judges praised the "amusement-park" quality of their presentation, but the Hyatts lost the $50,000 competition to a family from Decatur, Ga.
The city filed a lawsuit in Broward Circuit Court in February 2014 to get the display halted. That case was halted due to an injunction filed by the Hyatts last November. That case gets its day in court now and observers predict the Hyatts are going to lose.
Bendekovic said she wanted the legal action to continue.
"What happens if the settlement falls through?" she said. "We're here to get the holiday display to [one compatible with] a residential one."
The Hyatts don't speak to the media unless it is to promote their display. They continue to make pleas and accusations on their website and Facebook pages. Some speculate that any lawsuit will be challenged in court and that the display will return this Christmas and for seasons to come as the battle takes place in the courts.
Local support for Hyatt Extreme Christmas is difficult to peg. While the display is no doubt wildly popular and draws huge crowds some think most of the monetary and vocal support for the Hyatts come from those who do not live in Plantation and who do not actually have to contend with the issue in their daily lives.
For the Hyatts the argument lies simply with their right to do what they want on their own property — an old argument without much teeth in countless cases with municipalities with zoning laws. The first amendment arguments actually make more sense — or would, if the city were demanding that no display be allowed at all. But that clearly is not the case as Plantation has said all along it just wants a Christmas light display that is on the level with other residences in the area.
Despite the debate the real costs are running up on all sides. Plantation claims it has spent thousands of dollars for police overtime and traffic control while the Hyatts are working under the burden of imposed daily fines of $250 and other fees in excess of $7000. Now attorney fees for both sides are added to the equation.
For the average home Christmas light enthusiast the case is being watched warily.
"We're concerned about this case," said Wilkins, who participates actively online with other Christmas light enthusiasts at PlanetChristmas.com, "Neighbor relations are an important part of what we do every year. There are ways to deal with this and some become so big or so popular that they have to get moved for the enjoyment of more people ultimately. Cities and residents can work together. But it appears all or nothing in the case of Plantation and the Hyatt display. It gives all of us a bit of a black eye because it makes all Christmas light enthusiasts look a little nutty and extreme. Most of us are not."
Texas Courthouse Nativity Battle Explodes
Editor Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Church & State, Religious Discrimination December 1, 2014 December 1, 2014 0 Comment
A snide blog post at HoustonPress.com tells the story of Cherokee County in Texas where a Nativity scene — we assume this is a a traditional display there — has come under fire from a local resident who calls the display "unwelcoming toward non-Christians and individuals with no religion".
Daniel Ross, in protesting the display, asked to be able to erect a "Human Lights" display next to the Nativity.
"To help solve this, I would like to get a sign to be placed on the court house to represent HumanLight for Secular Humanists, Atheists, Agnostics, Skeptics, and the rest of the secular community. HumanLight is a secular holiday on December 23rd. It's designed to celebrate and express the positive, secular, human values of reason, compassion, humanity and hope. HumanLight illuminates a positive, secular vision of a happy, just and peaceful future for our world, a future which people can build by working together, drawing on the best of our human capacities. Thank you for taking your time to read this and let me know what time frame would be best to have a sign up next to the manger."
Commissioner Katharine Pinotti of Precinct 3 sent a private response that, of course, made its way to Houston Press.com:
Mr. Ross,
Please know that I am replying to you ONLY as a resident and NOT as a
representative of Cherokee County as I cannot speak for the court unilaterally. However, I did receive your email requesting to have a "Humanlights" sign erected next to our courthouse decorations and wanted to respond to you from a purely personal point of view.
December 23rd is merely a date selected by your organization to make a political statement of your choice not to celebrate traditional Christian beliefs. Perhaps you should consider choosing another time of the year to demonstrate your secular support instead of attempting to infiltrate the Christmas holiday with a singular purpose to destroy and denigrate the beliefs of others. Try to live and let live.
Katherine Pinotti
Well, you know well where this is headed. Sure enough, American Humanist Association is now crowding in on the act, throwing the weight and the money of a national organization into the fight and sent a letter to Cherokee County asking the whole thing be removed on the age-old flawed argument that nativities somehow violate the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution.
You know where this is headed.
We just hope they get this resolved before Festivus.
FFRF Goes After Snow Plows in Sioux Falls
Editor Christmas in Public, Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Church & State November 19, 2014 November 19, 2014 0 Comment
Two snow plows painted by a local school as part of the Sioux Falls annual 'Paint the Plow' event might not make it out on the street this winter.
One group is challenging the city.
City Hall soon will be decorated for the holidays but one group is attempting to fight city hall on just how much government can get into the Christmas spirit.
The group Freedom From Religion Foundation or FFRF recognizes several state and local government buildings are decked out for the holidays.
Freedom From Religion Foundation staff attorney Patrick Elliott said "the courts have looked at displays and have said a Christmas Tree is something that is permissible, proclaiming the birth of Jesus is something that is impermissible for the government to do."
It"s why the group has an issue with these city snow plows decorated by a local school.
"They're basically a roving billboard. I think citizens in the community would perceive a problem with it if a plow said 'praise Allah, or there are no gods.' That's city equipment. It's moving around the city basically all winter," Elliott said.
Now those plow will come with a disclaimer.
Mayor Mike Huether said "we prefer utilizing compromise and common ground and common sense vs. the court system to resolve issues we have."
Even after the Christmas season is over, some may argue religious symbols are part of our daily life, whether it's on our money or in our Pledge of Allegiance.
"We think those things are problematic as well. The courts obviously haven't agreed on a number of those things and when they've addressed those, they've more so been allowed because of their history," Elliott said.
The group Freedom From Religion Foundation says it has about 10 other cases it's working on challenging the separation between church and state as a violation of the Constitution.
Nativity Thieves Punished in Virginia
Editor Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News August 2, 2013 August 1, 2013 1 Comment
Every Christmas season we receive dozens of reports of stolen or vandalized public nativity scenes from across America. Rarely is any ever caught or punished for the crimes. News out of Virginia bucks that trend when a man from the town of Forest, Virginia was tried and convicted for stealing and then destroying a nativity scene.
While he won't have felony convictions on his record, Scott Cooley must spend a year in jail for stealing – and subsequently destroying – the Nativity scene at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Forest, a judge ruled.
Cooley pleaded guilty Tuesday to one misdemeanor count each of petty larceny and destruction of property.
He, along with two other men, initially faced a felony count each of grand larceny and destruction of property worth over $1,000.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Ayers asked Circuit Court Judge James Updike to amend the felony counts to misdemeanors at the request of church officials.
The church, while wanting to hold Cooley and his cohorts accountable, did not want to push for felony convictions, Ayers said.
She characterized Cooley as the ringleader of a group that took the nativity scene, valued at over $2,000, on Dec. 9.
They subsequently posted a picture of themselves on Facebook with the set, and later destroyed the figures, which included a baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and three wise men.
Ayers said after reports of the theft surfaced, the group cut the figures into pieces and took them to the Bedford County landfill.
Merry Christmas Bill Goes to Texas Governor
Editor Christmas in Schools, Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Church & State May 20, 2013 May 18, 2013 1 Comment
The Texas state senate passed the Merry Christmas Bill and it has now been sent to Governor Rick Perry for his signature.
The bill would clarify that schools may have Christmas trees, nativity scenes and other displays as long as any display includes a scene or symbol of more than one religion.
"This will provide students, parents, teachers and administrators a safe harbor for openly celebrating a federal holiday without fear of litigation or retribution," said Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville. "Our school officials and teachers have enough on their plates without having to worry about frivolous lawsuits and retribution for recognizing Christmas or Hanukkah." Nichols said the guidelines for exchange of greetings such as "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hanukkah," as well as the display of symbols marking those holidays, are consistent with rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The legislation does prohibit a display relating to a traditional winter celebration from including a message that encourages adherence to a particular religious belief. After approval of the legislation, Nichols told other senators, "Thank you members and Merry Christmas to you all."
Middle Finger Christmas Lights Win Court Case
Editor Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News March 2, 2013 0 Comment
Sarah Childs had a beef with her neighbor and wanted the whole world to know about it. So on her property in Denham Springs, Louisiana she put up a Christmas lights display that was sure to get everyone's attention: her lights prominently showcased the image of a human hand with the middle finger extended. When the local police department threatened her the whole thing ended up in court. That case was settled with the ACLU winning $15,000 for attorney's fees and an agreement that Childs can continue to "flip the bird" at her neighbors.
The display got plenty of attention when it first went up in November 2012. Neighbors called police to complain and Denham Springs Police Corporal Shawn Perkins paid her a visit.
Corporal Perkins told WWL Radio the homeowner told him she put the display as a direct message to her neighbors.
"It was a message to an ongoing dispute she was having with other homeowners on that same street," Perkins said. Perkins says he informed Henderson that the display was in violation of obscenity laws and that it must come down, or else. She agreed that it wasn't worth the possible hassle of fines and legal action," Perkins said.
However, the ACLU of Louisiana soon waded into the fray after the story was broadcast in local and national media. The ACLU sent an open letter to the Denham Springs Police Department "to ensure that no such fines are levied or other penalties imposed if Childs chooses to reinstall her controversial holiday display."
In that letter, the ACLU wrote: "The Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeal, which presides over Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, has specifically commented on the protected expressive nature of a middle finger extended in defiance or protest: "The thumbed nose, the projected middle finger, the Bronx cheer, the grimace and the smile are all conduct intended to convey a message that is sometimes made even more expressive by its bold freedom from a garb of words." Davis v. Williams."
With victory at hand Childs has given no indication of whether or not she will repeat the display.
Warren, Michigan Wins Suit Against FFRF
Editor Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Church & State, Religious Discrimination February 25, 2013 0 Comment
Mayor Jim Fouts and the City of Warren, Michigan won a battle in the U.S. Sixth District Court in a fight against the Freedom from Religion Foundation which insisted that the city's failure to allow an anti-Christian sign in the city's Christmas display constituted discrimination and was a violation of their free speech rights.
As reported by Defend Christmas back in 2011 the FFRF wanted to post a sign that read "At this season of the Winter Solstice, let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.", similar to other signs the FFRF has posted in communities all across America. Mayor Fouts refused their request and the FFRF sued in court claiming discrimination and censorship.
The court agree with Fouts and the City of Warren concluding the U.S. Constitution "does not convert these displays into a seasonal public forum, requiring governments to add all comers to the mix and creating a poison pill for even the most secular displays in the process." The court also upheld the constitutionality of Warren's annual Christmas display, noting it features both secular and religious symbols alike.
"Such holiday displays are quintessentially government speech," the panel wrote in a 3-0 vote, also stressing that it's not illegal if an opposing view is kept out of a holiday display.
"If strict neutrality were the order of the day … the United States Postal Service would need to add all kinds of stamps, religious and nonreligious alike, to its December collection. Veterans' Day would lead to pacifism Day, the Fourth of July to Non-patriots Day, and so on."
The court case against the FFRF is an important victory for municipalities threatened by lawsuits by the FFRF. Often, intimidated by the expense and threat of lawsuits, cities cave to the requests of the FFRF and the resulting publicity each holiday season embarrasses cities as they inevitably become the focus of national media attention, potentially affecting tourism, commerce and public relations efforts. Most localities just want to honor time-tested traditions without the fuss of court fights.
For Mayor Fouts, the issue goes way beyond Christmas saying the decision is a "victory for freedom of religion." Fouts was plain spoken when the city received the letter of threats from the FFRF, calling their sign "highly offense" and "mean spirited". He told the group in a letter, disclosed in court documents, that he wouldn't allow any displays to disparage any religion, "so I will not allow anyone or any organization to attack religion in general."
Christmas Lights Head to Court in 2013
Editor Blogged Christmas Battles, Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Light Fights January 16, 2013 3 Comments
The issue of Christmas lights is not a new one to us. From cities who have to abandon public displays of lights because of budget concerns to neighbors complaining about over-the-top displays the issue is not a new one. But as technology advances you have to question when it all becomes a little too much.
Out in the ritzy suburbs of Orange County a Fountain Valley woman made headlines for her display of Christmas lights honoring her husband, who passed away from cancer. 2012 was the second year of her display and this year it was bigger than before — more than 65,000 LED lights synchronized to loud music that blew away the neighbors and drew large festive crowds to the neighborhood. Here is one local news report:
For some, the light display can make an impact in other ways. A Louisiana woman used Christmas lights to craft an image of an extended middle finger pointed to her neighbor, who she accuses of stealing her dog. The local police ticketed the woman and forced her to take down the lights. She took it to court, backed by the ACLU, claiming First Amendment rights to justify the display. Here is another local news report (with the offending Christmas lights blurred out, ironically):
Christmas lights are STILL in the news even though Christmas has past. The first of media reports of people keeping their Christmas lights up too long has already been posted online where discussions of the difference between a "law" and an "ordinance" seems to subdue the fact that Christmas lights to some belong up and on only in December. This report comes from Maine.
Texas Atheist Sends a Star — and a Threat
Editor Blogged Christmas Battles, Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Church & State November 21, 2012 1 Comment
Henderson County Texas was one of the hotspots in the War on Christmas last year and it appears to be looking to make headlines again. Last year an out-of-state group filed a protest with the county over a nativity scene on public grounds. The group was given a Texas-style welcome for their interference in what most consider a local matter that just happened to get national media coverage. But as Thanksgiving gives way to Christmas later this week all the same parties are back on the same page and Henderson County Texas is about to make news again.
Local atheist-turned-Christian-turned-atheist-again activist Patrick Greene is taking a different approach to the situation this year. Last year, when local Christian groups heard of a family health issue for the Greenes they collected money to help. The gesture so touched Greene that he briefly converted to Christianity before returning to his atheist beliefs. Greene was gracious in receiving the gift. But his feelings about the public Christmas displays in Athens, Texas require him to take a stand and he is trying to do so without the heavy handed tactics employed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation last year.
"I went to Walmart, bought a cardboard box, got some gift wrapping material and made up a sign that said, 'This star is a gift from two Texas atheists, Merry Christmas,'" he said.
Greene is an atheist from San Antonio. He threatened to sue Henderson County last winter over the nativity scene on its courthouse lawn, which has been displayed each Christmas for more than a decade. But Greene backed off the suit when his health began to fail.
As a sign of Christian goodwill, a church in Athens raised money, and sent Greene hundreds of dollars to help him and his wife through the health scare. Greene said they were genuinely touched by the people's "generosity and kindness," so they bought a star for the county's nativity scene. He sent the star in March.
"We were very appreciative," he said.
Greene said his sign, which arrived at the office of the Keep Athens Beautiful president on Nov. 20, is meant to undo damage done by other atheists.
Last year, the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation also threatened to sue if Henderson County did not remove the nativity display from county property. They also requested what's called an "equal time" display. Their display would have included a banner with a message reading, "At this Season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
Henderson County refused both requests.
Greene called the Freedom From Religion Foundation's sign insulting.
"You don't just push yourself into some place and insult people while you're doing it," he said. "We thought it was arrogant for Freedom From Religion Foundation to insult people, just to make a point."
He said when he heard the county denied the foundation's requests, "I told my wife that because of the animosity that grew toward atheists in general, that we should tell people – and make it a point – that atheists are the ones that gave them that star."
So that's when he went to Walmart, made his sign, and sent it, with his demand the sign be presented next to the star.
"We can't risk any more animosity toward atheists by letting people think Christians are the ones that put the nativity scene there, and that Christians were the ones that put the star there," he said.
Henderson County Attorney Clint Davis said once the county officially reviews Greene's request, the county judge will have the final say on what to do with the sign.
"Typically, as we just did with the Freedom From Religion Foundation, we have not allowed banners or signs of any kind," he said. "The decorations we have to not have wordings, and they are simply decorations."
If the sign and star are not displayed, Greene said he is drawing up a lawsuit that he will likely file against Henderson County this week or next week, claiming the entire Christmas display violates Texas Constitution because it infers the county is endorsing a religion.
"If people are insulted by my sign that said 'atheist,' then they have no intention of fostering the Christmas message, because goodwill toward men goes both ways," Greene said.
Davis disputes Greene's claims that the nativity scene violates Texas constitution.
"The county's viewpoint is that we are in complete compliance with all the laws and all the regulations," he said. "After a year-and-a-half into this, I've yet to have anybody from Henderson County that's contacted me that said, 'I've been personally offended by any display on county property.' It's all been from people from the outside. And that's the frustrating thing when you think you're doing everything right – everything you're supposed to do – and you're still subject to these attacks."
Keep Athens Beautiful Executive Director Carol Morton said despite the distractions, the nativity scene will begin to be installed next week and the Light Up Athens Committee of Keep Athens Beautiful officially kicks off the Christmas season December 1.
"We're here to make a beautiful display on the square for all the wonderful people in Henderson County and the city of Athens, so just come and have fun with us," Morton said.
Judge Sides with Atheists, Santa Monica Christmas Will be Christian-Free
Editor Blogged Christmas Battles, Christmas in Public, Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Church & State, Religious Discrimination November 19, 2012 0 Comment
The atheist movement has won in Santa Monica, California — offsetting a recent defeat suffered in Texas. As we have covered here over the past two years about the Christmas controversies in Santa Monica the fight there came as a result of a beleaguered City Council who just could not make anyone happy. When atheists sued to be part of the 60-year traditional Christmas display that included nativities, Santas, reindeer, and candy canes the City Council opted to initiate a lottery system to dole out display space. When atheists won 18 of 21 spots, Christian display advocates took the matter to court to dispute the process.
Today the judge decided against the pro-Christian group, effectively ending the fight and taking Christmas down forever in Santa Monica (except on private property).
"The atheists won," said William Becker, attorney for the Nativity group. He then went on to compare the city to Pontius Pilate, the judge at Jesus' trial, saying: "It's a shame about Christmas. Pontius Pilate was exactly the same kind of administrator."
Leesburg, Virginia Tries to Get a Grip on Holiday Displays
Editor Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Church & State October 25, 2012 October 25, 2012 0 Comment
Leesburg, Virginia was in the news a lot last Christmas because they just couldn't control how people would decorate for Christmas in the town's public places. They do not want a repeat of last year's media fiasco and community uproar.
The Loudon County Council is proposing this year to take matters into their own hands. Instead of allowing the public to put up their own decoration on the court house lawn, local media reports say the county is now considering putting up a Christmas tree, Nativity scene, Santa, and a Menorah on the lawn.
You can see already where this is headed.
That courthouse lawn will not be the only place where folks will be talking this Christmas. The mere mention of a Nativity scene will set out-of-state groups such as the Freedom from Religion Foundation on their heels and will bring out the lawyers. Stay tuned, Leesburg will likely stay in the Christmas headlines.
Pennsylvania County Taking No Chances with Christmas Display
Editor Christmas in Public, Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News October 14, 2010 1 Comment
Luzerne County commissioners don't want another holiday season controversy over the Nativity scene and menorah on the courthouse lawn, so they plan to pass a resolution making it clear that they plan to set up a "seasonal holiday display" this year.
Commissioners had removed the Nativity and menorah from the lawn last December after a litigation threat from the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
The organizations argued the display violated the constitutional separation of church and state.
After public uproar, including protesters carrying nativity statues at the site where the display was removed, county officials came up with a more diverse seasonal display.
The revamped version included Santa and Mrs. Claus, two reindeer, some candy canes, a little elf handling mail for Santa, a Christmas tree and signs that say "Happy Holidays" and "Happy Kwanzaa."
Virginia County Rules Christmas Displays Can Stay
Editor Christmas in Public, Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News, Church & State September 9, 2010 0 Comment
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to uphold a policy that allows unattended displays, including religious ones, to be placed on the public grounds of the county courthouse in downtown Leesburg — effectively ending the first battle in the War on Christmas 2010. In an 8 to 1 vote the board put an end to a heated debate that began in November 2009, when a resident-led commission decided that the county should ban unattended displays outside the courthouse. That decision, prompted by a rising number of requests to use the space, drew the ire of residents when the commission denied a rotary group's application to place a Christmas tree on court grounds.
Residents speaking in favor of allowing religious displays on the grounds have dominated previous public hearings. They did so again at a public input session Tuesday at which the board was urged to maintain the current policy by Leesburg Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd, Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), local clergy members and scores of residents wearing blue pins that read "Merry Christmas — God with us."
The appeals of those who addressed the board ranged from impassioned pleas to respect the Constitution to angry claims of religious persecution.
"Christianity is under attack," Leesburg resident Barbara Bayles-Roberts said. As for those who don't believe in God, she added, "there is a holiday for them, and it's called April Fools' Day."
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) also weighed in on the matter in an opinion dated Aug. 20, saying that local governments should not be compelled to ban holiday displays that include religious symbols. The opinion was a response to a request from Marshall, who asked whether Loudoun is required to prohibit holiday displays on public property.
Miller, who cast the lone opposing vote, expressed concern that the right to due process was being overshadowed by the right to religious freedom, adding that jurors or defendants might be intimidated by displays outside the building. People do not come to the courthouse to see religious displays, Miller said: "They come to the courthouse to see justice done."
But the remaining supervisors were ultimately united in their desire to maintain the current policy in the hope that the use of the property will reflect a spirit of inclusion and tolerance.
"People who preach the First Amendment need to abide by the First Amendment," said Supervisor James Burton (I-Blue Ridge), who added that he would be willing to revisit the matter next year if an incident such as the one that occurred last year — when an unpopular display was stolen — is repeated this holiday season.
Supervisor Andrea McGimsey (D-Potomac) said she thinks the courthouse grounds should be "a vibrant place" where the community can express itself.
"I hope we can put this issue to rest, finally," she said.
Don't hold your breath.
Feds Refuse to Let Principals Off the Hook in Candy Cane Case
Editor Christmas in Schools, Christmas in the Courts, Christmas News July 2, 2010 0 Comment
A federal appeals court has ruled that two Plano elementary school principals can be held personally liable in a lawsuit over a student's distribution of religious Christmas candy canes.
Principals Lynn Swanson and Jackie Bomchill wanted to be dismissed from the suit, claiming qualified immunity, but a lower court denied their request. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans affirmed that ruling on Thursday.
The principal's attorney, Tom Brandt, says his clients will appeal. He says the principals didn't practice religious-viewpoint discrimination against any students as is alleged.
Four families with students in Plano schools sued, alleging their children had been banned from handing out pencils saying "Jesus is the reason for the season," candy canes with cards describing their Christian origin, and other religious materials.


Can medicinal plants alleviate poverty and protect Nepal's fragile environment?
Farmers in the high Himalayas partner with a U.S.–based nonprofit to cultivate medicinal plants — and the environmental and economic benefits they offer.
"It was a very clear indication that in the wild, these plants were being depleted and there was much overharvesting," explains Meeta S. Pradhan, director of the institute's Himalaya Program.
The need for conservation became apparent and an idea was born: If the Mountain Institute staff could collaborate with local people to develop ways to cultivate these plants, they might not only spare the native forest from overharvest but also boost supply and provide a valuable source of income for the community.
Today, some 16,000 highland farmers in six districts are cultivating 12 species of plants on more than 2,000 hectares with the Mountain Institute's help.Mountain Institute staff members started with two or three different species, working with native people to grow them on private and degraded land in the mountains of Nepal. They found that some plants, such as the chiraito (also known as chiretta), a medicinal herb that contains a bitter-tasting chemical that is used to treat over two dozen diseases, disorders and ailments, could become ready to be harvested and sold in as little as two to three years. Encouraged, they worked with local community-based organizations to teach farmers to grow the plants. The farmers then set up small nurseries, transplanting plants from small greenhouses the Mountain Institute had set up in their own fields.
With the help of advisors from the Mountain Institute, Nepalese residents learn cultivation skills needed to move their medicinal plant enterprises from foraging to farming — an environmental and economic win-win. Photo by Karma Bhutia, The Mountain Institute.
Today, some 16,000 highland farmers in six districts are cultivating 12 species of plants on more than 2,000 hectares with the Mountain Institute's help — 10 percent of the Nepali production of medicinal plants, according to the Mountain Institute's estimates.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that farmers are moving out of poverty and into the middle class as a direct result of cultivating these medicinal plants, Pradhan says. "In our last annual report, we talk about how farmers are now putting their kids in private schools," she says. "They've been able to change the roofs of their homes, and they're spending a bit more money on food and clothing. Because otherwise these farmers are mostly dependent on subsistence farming, they don't have hard cash coming into their hands." But the medicinal plants are helping with that, she explains, starting with as little as $300 a year for some farmers and going up to, in a couple of cases, $35,000. All told, in 2013, the families the institute works with earned a combined income of more than $800,000.
By cultivating these medicinal plants, the farmers can help prevent erosion.Though she doesn't have concrete data, Pradhan suspects that in addition to reducing overharvest of wild plants, the cultivated medicinal plants boost soil nutrition and water retention on the barren land farmers cultivate. This is crucial, because in terrain like the Himalayan highlands, deforested land is susceptible to floods when it rains and droughts during the dry season, causing damage to life, property and livelihood. By cultivating these medicinal plants, the farmers can help prevent erosion.
Chiraito grower Rinen Bhote (foreground) is helping support her family while protecting the integrity of forests and deforested lands in the Himalayan highlands. Photo by Karma Bhutia, The Mountain Institute.


text:
Q: How do I check if multiple elements of a list are equal to a variable? I am trying to make a shuffled playing card deck and in order to do so I have to check if the generated card is equal to the previous ones. So far I have tried this:
for i in range(51):
a=card()
while(deck[:i]==a):
    a=card()
deck[i]=a

card is the function that generates a random card
I think that the problem is in the [:i]
P.S. The list already has 52 elements and they are all set as "Empty"

A: To answer your question, you can do something like this:
for i in range(51):
    a = card()
    while a in deck:
        a = card()
    deck[i] = a

You can test for membership using a in deck because you said that deck is initialized to empty, so you don't have to check up to the i'th element, as the elements after i definitely won't contain a.
However, there is a better way to create a shuffled deck of cards: use random.shuffle as ctj232 said.
>>> import random
>>> l = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
>>> random.shuffle(l)
>>> l
[3, 5, 4, 2, 1]

Make a list that represents all 52 cards in order, making your own class or just integers, then use the random library to shuffle them.

A: You can also do something like:
    import random

    cards = [  i for i in range(52)]
    curentPosition = [  i for i in range(52)]
    nextPosition = [  i for i in range(52)]

    print('Positions before shufle:\n',curentPosition)

    for i in cards:
        randomPos = random.choice(nextPosition)
        curentPosition[i] = randomPos
        nextPosition.remove(randomPos)

    print('Positions after shufle\n',curentPosition)

A: Using random.shuffle is absolutely the best way to solve your issue as the other answer has explained, but to answer your original question:
To check if multiple elements of a list are equal to a variable, you can use the variable in list syntax:
my_list = [51,47,2,29,6]
if 51 in my_list:
    print("51 is already selected")
else:
    print("51 isn't in my_list")

To apply this to your existing code:
for i in range(51):
    a=card()
    while(a in deck):
        a=card()
    deck[i]=a

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
We Rise Together
With steady enrollment growth, increased rankings, and accolades for academic innovation, Albany Law, the nation's oldest independent law school, was already experiencing positive momentum. But how to transfer that momentum to an ambitious fundraising campaign?
Our strategy and creative, like We Rise Together: The Campaign for Albany Law School itself, recognized and centered around a single fact—individual stories of student perseverance and triumph collectively raise the institution to a new level and form a compelling reason for philanthropic support of Albany Law.
Through stories of students who each embody a different campaign pillar and who all embody the Albany Law commitment to excellence, service, and insatiable improvement, a case statement, campaign video, and campaign landing page told the Albany Law School story—one that invokes pride in the school's past and enthusiasm for its future.
At the campaign's public announcement, Albany Law School had secured $22 million of its $30 million goal. As of June 2020—just 18 months after the launch—gifts to the campaign amounted to $28 million. Individually, our tactics increased awareness and engagement for Albany Law. But together, they formed a cohesive campaign capable of helping Albany Law achieve its most ambitious fundraising goal.
conversion rate on custom campaign landing page
Increased engagement across all social platforms
million raised as part of the fundraising campaign

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Actress and well-known Catholic Patricia Heaton welcomed the apologies of those in the media who vilified the boys of Covington Catholic High School before knowing all the facts, but argued more should be done for the students.
A viral video that circulated over the weekend showed the students being confronted by a Native American man and African Americans at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
"These young people will forever have these smears follow them through their life every time they proffer their resume with the word 'Covington' on it. It will also affect anyone who ever has or ever will attend that school. The damage is incalculable," Heaton wrote.
Do you think Patricia Heaton is right?
The actress also tweeted while the students' and the school's reputations have been irreparably harmed, those in the media who perpetuated the false narrative will face no consequences and still have their jobs.
"It seems to me that an apology without some kind of accompanying action which speaks to the seriousness of their transgression – a suspension from work, some loss of pay – renders any apology empty," she wrote.
"However, I don't believe this will happen," she concluded.
President Donald Trump offered his support to the students on Tuesday.
The Daily Wire reported on Tuesday that Trump has invited the students to the White House.


Matt Kleberg (b.1985, Kingsville TX) received his BA from the University of Virginia in 2008 and his MFA from the Pratt Institute in 2015. Recent exhibitions include Mulherin New York (NY); Schema Projects (NY); Morgan Lehman Gallery (NY); Johansson Projects (CA); Hiram Butler Gallery (TX); and San Antonio Museum of Art. His work has been written about in the New York Times, The Brooklyn Rail, WNYC, Painting is Dead, Artsy, Vice, ArtDaily, New American Paintings, and Artillery Magazine. His work is included in public and private collections including the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Williams College Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Kleberg lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.
Visiting Artist Lecture, University of Virginia, Dec. 2015.


text:
@interface LHLSquarItem : NSObject

@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString *icon;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString *name;
@property (nonatomic, strong) NSString *url;

@end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


About 84% of the world's population is affiliated with one of the five largest religions. A religion is a particular system of faith and worship. Religion is a cultural system of behaviors and practices, world views, sacred texts, holy places, ethics, and societal organisation that relate humanity to what an anthropologist has called an order of existence. Different religions may or may not contain various elements, ranging from the diving, sacred things, faith, a supernatural being or supernatural beings or some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that will provide norms and power for the rest of life.


text:
France – Le Monde (2002)
Posted on June 17, 2011 by MediaWise Admin
Rules and Usages of the daily Le Monde, published in "Le Style du Monde", Le Monde's Style book, in 2002, under the general title "La déontologie", i.e. professional ethics. The clauses in the list have been left in the original order, the alphabetical order of French subtitles.
See Incrimination.
Share-holders
Whenever a company that holds shares in Le Monde is mentioned in the newspaper, that ownership will be mentioned in the intro, in the text of the article or in a sidebar.
Wire-service stories must serve as a call to action in the newsroom. When they are directly used in the shape of short items or as articles, they will be signed with the name of the agency (AFP, Reuters, etc.). That rule is valid both for French news and international news.
The news staff always endeavours to check the accuracy of the agency news that it publishes.
Le Monde publishes the (signed) reports of agencies when it is not present on the location of a conflict, a disaster, etc.
NB: an agency report should not be attributed when Le Monde mixes with it news from other sources. Then the newspaper must assume responsibility for the whole.
Amnesty is when a law removes the criminal nature of some action and wipes off the conviction administered because of it, without removing the facts themselves.
French law forbids news media from mentioning amnestied convictions. This is a fundamental guarantee of individual rights in a law-abiding State which helps the re-insertion of convicted persons. Only strong reasons can lead us, exceptionally, after discussion in editorial conference, to violate that rule.
Any gift whose value can be estimated at over 70Euros is sent back. Beyond that limit, Le Monde considers that it is no longer a present but a business maneuver. When they return a gift, journalists enclose a form letter available at the newsroom secretariat.
Only exceptionally will Le Monde publish un-attributed quotes.
In our columns, quotations from VIPs or anonymous persons are the object of a few simple rules:
– the person's style is respected and reflected as closely as possible with care taken not to ridicule the person quoted. The news staff refrains from rewriting, and eventually distorting, what was said. Le Monde only accepts the suppression of interjections, onomatopeias and the correction of such obvious improprieties as might cause a misunderstanding.
– we abstain from selecting, among the words said, only those which can offend, wound third parties or, in reaction, the person who said them;
– an old statement should not be published as a quote without being clearly dated;
– a quote from a broadcast discussion, from a book, a report or an article should not be corrected. Its source must be clearly given. If the journalist has not the time or the means to check its veracity, he should warn the copy editor in a note at the start of the story.
Please note: any cut in a quote is pointed out to the reader thus: […]. It is recommended that such cuts be not numerous. It is sometimes better to give up a quote rather than publish it riddled with cuts.
Contribution(s)
Journalists will apply to the managing editor in writing for permission to contribute to outside publications. They must inform management of all their other professional activities (lectures, seminars, books, films, etc.). Any external activity, if regular and paid, must be agreed with the newspaper.
Comment(s)
All journalists can offer an "analysis" or "comment" on a news topic that falls within their sphere of expertise.
The rule is never to smuggle one's personal viewpoint into a news story.
Journalists will specify the communities to which the people mentioned in their articles belong when such information is needed to understand the context of the event reported.
Courtesy should characterize the relations of journalists with the readers and with the various actors in public life. The same applies within the newsroom.
Conditional Mode
Usage of the conditional as a precaution in case of unverified news should be limited.
Conflict(s) of interest
Journalists accept to cover or go on covering a field only if no personal conflict of interest appears. Examples:
– a journalist must not cover a field in which a member of his family or of his circle of friends is vested with decision-making authority;
– a journalist will not buy shares in a company which he monitors for the newspaper. If he already owns some, he will sell them or entrust the management of them to a brokerage firm.
Journalists who happen to go to the French provinces or to a foreign country for an assignment or a conference will inform the newspaper's local correspondent.
A sub-editor who has to make cuts in a story will strive not to destroy its balance. He will be especially careful not to cut quotes or news items that stand in opposition to other viewpoints cited.
As far as possible, the sub-editor will inform the journalist of the cuts made.
The letters that are sent to us by readers, with rectifications, corrections, bursts of enthusiasm and fits of anger, express their attachment to Le Monde. Our duty is to answer them, even by a brief message. Nothing is more unpleasant than silence, which is felt as a sign of contempt. "Every letter deserves a reply", Hubert Beuve-Méry used to say.
Most letters can be answered with a few handwritten lines. Some require more elaborate answers. In case a journalist cannot answer because of his workload, he will ask a secretary temporarily to manage his mail (every secretariat is equipped with a large choice of form-replies).
The most interesting letters should be transferred to the "mediator" for possible publication.
The journalist who is covering an event (a demonstration, a trial, etc.) should not leave before the end of it.
Journalists will be careful to return the invitations they accepted. They will refuse repeated invitations that have no clear purpose.
Professional Discretion (devoir de réserve – see Petitions)
In their public contacts, journalists will be careful not to express their own opinions (political, religious, philosophical, etc.) too ostensibly. They will observe a duty of professional discretion which is the best guarantee that they can hear and be heard properly.
Journalists will consult Le Monde's data bank before they undertake to cover or investigate some event, so as to take advantage of archived information. They should be aware of what the newspaper has published on the topic over the past few years.
Requests by readers to take advantage of their right of reply shall be immediately forwarded to management and to the legal department.
The daily editorial is written by a newsroom journalist. It is not signed. It is checked by the managing editor and by the executive editor and can be edited as to its shape or its substance.
Editorials by the executive editor bear his initials.
Journalists available during electoral evenings and nights will assist the "France" department.
Journalists will not run for municipal, regional or parliamentary elections.
Embargoes
Le Monde will respect embargoes on documents or reports delivered by institutions or firms.
That rule does not apply if the news staff has managed to obtain the information by its own means.
Le Monde will allow interviewees to read the transcript only of long interviews (like those published on Mondays). This is a precautionary measure to avoid any serious misunderstanding. If the interviewee corrects the text so as to soften its tone, the newspaper reserves the right not to publish the interview.
Always correct.
The first and last names of minors are not published, except if the families of them have given their agreement or if their first names have become well-known.
The first and last names of rape victims are not published, except if the victims have explicitly asked that they be.
The first and last names of people suspected of crimes and misdemeanours are published if they are adults.
Should be proscribed. Le Monde is not to give lessons to anyone.
Le Monde does not publish open letters.
Reviews of books published by journalists or occasional contributors of Le Monde will be concluded, under the byline of the reviewer, by a note mentioning the author's status.
Incrimination (Mise en cause)
Any person, firm or institution incriminated in Le Monde must have been informed previously. Their arguments or refusal to comment must absolutely be mentioned in our columns.
Case Dismissed (Non lieu)
Le Monde will unfailingly publish the news of a case being dismissed whenever previously it has reported that a case was opened. A non lieu cleanses a person from any suspicion as soon as the decision is final. The space devoted to that information (on the front page possibly) will be proportional to the degree of attention Le Monde gave the case.
"Non-inscription au B2"
By that phrase, magistrates mean that the conviction will not be entered into the judicial file of the accused. In that case, abstain from citing the name of the convicted person whose rehabilitation the judges wish to assist.
Petition(s)
Journalists should not sign petitions. They can express their viewpoints by writing analyses or comments within the newspaper.
To avoid any risk of unconscious plagiarism, journalists refrain from using a wire-service story or a published article as a draft on which to weave their own stories.
Always check with judiciary sources that a complaint has effectively been lodged before mentioning it.
Prejudice(s)
Journalists will refrain from using any phrase or cliché with sexist or racist connotations ("a charming lady registrar", "a very Oriental kind of cruelty") or social contempt ("the son of a humble school teacher").
Rectification(s)
Corrections received in the newsroom will be transmitted to management in the shortest possible time. The publication in Le Monde of a correction will not be accompanied by any comment from the news staff.
Reference(s)
Any document (report, book, video etc.) that has provided much of the substance of a story must be explicitly quoted.
By-lines
In case of a disagreement about a cut or an alteration, a journalist can ask to withdraw his by-line.
– In the case of a story signed by several journalists, their by-lines are listed in alphabetical order;
– when a journalist signs several articles on the same page, only the main story is signed with his full name;
– when a journalist publishes a story and an interview on the same page, he will put his full name on the article and his initials on the interview (e.g. statements collected by E.J.);
– when the copy-desk merges the articles of two correspondents, it will point it out thus: "Frédéric Bobin (in Beijing) and Philippe Pons (in Tokyo)";
– journalists will avoid signing synthetic articles with their by-line plus the added mention (with AFP" or "with Reuters), etc.
The publication of any opinion poll must absolutely contain several indications:
– the name of the polling service;
– the name of the firm or institution that commissioned and funded the survey;
– the date when the survey was done;
– the size of the group polled.
Journalists will be careful to protect their sources of information. Article 109 of the French Code de procedure pénale specifies that: "Any journalist who is being heard as a witness about information collected in the exercise of his profession, is free not to reveal the origin on if". When abroad in countries with an authoritarian or dictatorial government, reporters will be particularly careful not to endanger their sources. To that end, they will take certain precautions such as being discreet on the phone, taking minimum notes, purging their address books etc.
That duty to protect sources of information should go hand in hand with a duty to check the information received. The mere existence of a source is not sufficient to validate a piece of information. A critical attitude towards sources must be a constant practice.
Suicide(s)
Le Monde takes great care in dealing with the suicides of VIPs or ordinary people. The staff will avoid giving any general and peremptory interpretation.
Journalists will not accept free "press" trips before being authorized to do so by their editor or his/her deputy. They respect an absolute rule: to prepare intensively for the trip so as to be able to evaluate the information gathered during the journey.
Le Monde's Advertising Charter (1997)
1. In the pages of Le Monde, both in the daily and in its supplements, the editorial content is clearly distinguishable from the advertising content. The executive editor will see to the enforcement of that principle through several intangible rules:
– the daily and each of its supplements carry the Le Monde logo on their front page;
– every page of the daily or of the supplements carry the mention Le Monde next to the page number;
– the typography and iconography and layout of advertising should not lead to any confusion with editorial material. Any graphic similitude likely to mislead the reader will cause the ad to be refused both for the daily and for its supplements;
– display ads are published under a double horizontal rule. Ads included in tables (Stock Exchange listings, television or cultural events listings, etc.) are also distinguished by a specific presentation within their environment;
– whole pages of advertising are published under a single line over which the mention "Advertising" appears in the middle of the page, on a level with the page number;
– Any formula of the " advertorial" type in which advertising and editorial contents are mixed, is proscribed, in the daily as in the supplements.
2. The content of advertising published by Le Monde, in the daily as in the supplements, will conform to legal requirements:
– Le Monde uses the services of BVP, a fact that is mentioned daily in the newspaper, so as not to publish deceitful ads or ads that do not conform to the regulation relative to fair competition;
– the managing editor makes sure that the contents of advertising messages published in the daily or its supplements may not cause legal action for obscenity, instigation to murder or to racist hatred. To that end, all ads considered questionable by the advertising department or the newsroom are submitted to him for approval. The managing editor will take advice from the daily's legal department or any other expert of his choice.
3. The advertising or elements of publicity campaigns distributed by Le Monde but not included in the daily or in its supplements (catalogue, special edition magazine, publicity objects, gifts, etc.) are to submit to the same contents rules as advertising published in the daily and its supplements: the managing editor will see to it that none pertains to obscenity, incitement to murder or to racial hatred. None of those ads or elements in a publicity campaign should mention Le Monde, except, if the need occurs, to clear the daily of any responsibility in their contents.
4. Means of communication relayed by Le Monde via the ads published in its daily and the supplements (Minitel number, website of a multimedia network, 800 style free phone calls, etc.) are presented in a space that clearly belongs to the advertising sphere. When those same means of communication are mentioned in, the editorial content, the advertiser or product advertised must absolutely be identified.
5. The publisher/executive editor of the newspaper, whose criminal and civil responsibility is involved, intuitu personae, by the whole content of Le Monde, can oppose the inclusion of any ad in the daily or the supplements as well as the distribution of any advertising with and separately from Le Monde (catalogue, magazine, publicity object etc.).
6. Permanent collaborators of Le Monde must not participate, directly or indirectly, even anonymously, even in an unpaid capacity, in the conception, writing, illustration or layout of an advertisement published in the daily or in any of its supplements, or distributed with the daily.


Here are some large cards made using 'Audrey' and Graphics 45.
The dolls are the product of paper piecing using a stamp made by Prima Marketing..from the Julie Nutting Collection. This stamp is called 'Audrey'. I purchased the stamp from my local scrapbooking store 'Catchy Crafts' in sydney Australia. Have a google and find where she is in stock near you.
Hi Jenny, I just love these cards and it has inspired me to buy the stamp however I was wondering what you use for the body , is it cardstock and if so what have you coloured it with , brand and actual colour please.
I used some old paper that was skin toned in colour with a faint text on it. Look through your stash and find some paper that has flesh colours on it...don't worry too much as only a very small amount shows. With my Audreys the only extra colouring was on their cheeks. As the papers were quite strong in colour I used very small amount of Crimson water colour pencil, added water and dabbed it with a tissue until Imwas happy with the results. Build layers slowly, so add a bit of colour and let it dry. Add more if needed. Hope this helps. Have fun and really anything goes.
Hi Jenny, LOVE these girls.... did you use the Raining Cats and Dogs paper in the 12" or 8" packets? I ordered my stamp and have the 8" x 8" paper pack, just wondered if I needed the 12" for this project.
Did you use the 8"x8" paper pack or the 12"x12" ?
I used the 12 x 12 inch paper pack but there is no reason that the 8 x 8 inch one would not work as well. If you look at the doll wearing the black dress with small dots you will see the background cut out was too big from the 12 x 12 inch pack and I was not able to use it all. I think the 8 x 8inch would actually work better. Use what you have as it will be great.


text:
Blocky
A meta object of techno-science
TechnoScience
The question who is Blocky, what is Blocky? What is the gravity to such an object, what does it offer, what is its force and in that matter what does it say, what does it speak of is an intriguing one? Questions we will explore here.
To begin we will start by resting limitations that liberal sociologists tend to impose in leaving "the non humans to the technologists" and consider Blocky the non-human and human in a similar way, to consider Blocky in the "attempt to get some explicit understanding of what we are doing when we engage in science", something we do on a daily basis, something done with Blocky.
Stories of Blocky engage with science, in a way that "All life is an experiment" and Blocky is engaged with the human as the human is engaged in Blocky.
To speak TechnoScience in reference to Cyborgs or Boyles Law the reference to science is apparent, the science and associated technology in its application are evident. Blocky engages us in exactly the same way.
In the story of the Sunday roast, when young Anne rubs the crayon over the surface of the Blocky she engages with its material agency, its heritage and history.
In its material form Blocky began as a tree, a tree by the name of Eucalypt Camaldulensis. It was felled and machined into 5×5 redgum posts suited to gateposts, and amongst this that Blocky was born, child of a gatepost. It then began its life as a woodblock used as a prop for cutting many a timber and drilled, sawn and chopped into deriving its texture and form.
Whilst to Anne Blocky is little more than an ornamental play object, its vast material forms and uses engage with her.
Whilst spoken of as Blocky, "Blocky the woodblock", it engages in a way that brings the knowledge of its past uses and literary references. As a woodblock it is referenced in journals of Woodworking, as a functional object used in the construction of other objects. As a gatepost it is referenced in council documents in reference to laws involving restrictions as to the heights of fences. As 5×5 redgum posts it is listed in many a timber yards stock list and in numerous architectural books on the properties for building. As Eucalypt Camaldulensis it is referred in Botanist texts describing its genesis.
The children's friend, Blocky. Blocky the social encapsulates the retirement of a very busy social object. As a woodblock it graced engagements at the family home for numerous home improvements and at the Melbourne University Theatre Department was used to build sets for theatre productions. As gatepost it engaged the street and traffic of passing cars in the local shire council. As 5×5 redgum posts it is engaged in discussions at the Timber Merchants Association (Victoria) and the Timber Promotions Council and as Eucalypt Camaldulensis it was an object of great affection and heritage amongst many a botanist.
Whilst to most Blocky is little more than Blocky or a block of wood, Blocky engages us with a past as colourful and intriguing as any other past. Blocky has a history in the same way we think of humans having a history, a past. Blocky an object of science, an object of technology, of techne and technique. Blocky is a TechnoScientific object.
We engage Blocky as a friend, we treat it with affection, humour and jest. It is a block of wood with its rich literary, material and social agency, agency to our past, the science of our past and of the way by which we engage life. We engage with it as it engages with us. It defines us as we define it. It speaks to us as we speak to it and it is in this that an essential question arises. What does it speak to us, what do we see from its existence? Blocky Eucalypt Camaldulensis the tree that now exists in its current form – a technoscientific object.
We may laugh and enjoy the discourse of the process that has led the Eucalypt Camaldulensis to become Blocky. However, the processes and life of this object clearly indicate the role objects have in understanding ourselves, and in light of this knowledge, we must consider the consequences of our engagement in science and science in us.
These works explore the translation of the amino acids of two proteins of the Eucalyptus camaldulensis, quinate dehydrogenase and UDP-glucose:gallate glucosyltransferase with inspiration from intermedia.
Science Art:
The mapping of the amino acids to musical notes using the kyte scale.
quinate dehydrogenase
MP3 | Midi File | Score | YouTube
UDP-glucose:gallate glucosyltransferase
Color Organs:
the mapping of the amino acids to color using a color organ with inspiration from synaesthesia
Pure Data Patch
Its a pleasant Sunday afternoon, the middle of winter. The roast is in the oven, the scent of Basil, Rosemary, Sage and Lamb waft from the kitchen.
The adults are talking as they do, the children drawing as they do most Sundays with their crayons and as always Blocky with its Bronze Plaque, the sentinel, watching, keeping gaze over the events of the day. Quiet and unspoken, the discerning eye of the wise old travelled woodblock Blocky looks on.
Today unlike other days Blocky has caught the intrigue of one of the children. Somewhat bored of the conventions and limitations of crayon and colouring books, The child has taken Blocky and placed a piece of paper over it and is drawing on it. Whilst rubbing the crayon over its surface revealing its textures, the years of markings, cuts, chips and slices that define its material form.
Dinner is served and one of the adults collects the children, placing Blocky "the ornament", in pride of place back on the bookshelf amongst its friends of Economics, Woodworking, James Joyce and the history of World War II.
Hours pass and the dinner comes to a close. The children are called and as always they race to be the one to get Blocky. The reward of which being the honour of sharing the drive home with their favorite friend on their lap.
Cybernetic Futures
My name is Blocky,
An object of technoscience,
A product of colonial and imperial,
A product of an industrialist mindset,
A result of the cyber-physical dream,
A dream of a cybernetic meadow.
I sit in the precise imprecise,
I pierce the intersection of real and imaginary.
I look to a time when:
heart and mind,
eastern and western,
physical and virtual,
one and zero,
on and off,
public and private,
resonant and dissonant,
social and capital,
in and out,
open and closed,
real and imaginary,
seen and unseen,
light and dark,
classical and contemporary,
past and present,
analogue and digital,
faith and reason,
harmony and melody,
heard and unheard,
republican and democrat.
sun and moon,
treble and bass.
allow the heart to sing, the mind to fly,
and, thoughts of joy to ring.
Blocky: an inherently familiar object; deeply grounded in the Australian bush; engaged in a pioneering journey along the Muray river; And, enrolled in the advancement of science and technology.
Blocky shares a deep heartfelt love of Australia, its lands, peoples and environment with a wish to share stories, situated experiences and cultural practices.
The embodiment of Blocky, an off-cut from a gatepost of the familial home, heralds to the pragmatism and pioneering roots of the Paynter Family since their arrival to South Australia in 1846 and journey from Burra, Onkaparings, Wharparilla and Table Top.
For many years Blocky sat at the nexus between two worlds, nestled at the foot of the fire-door between the garage and workshop of the family home.
Familiar and at rest, enrolled simultaneously in multiple worlds. Worldings, that helped define its narrative agency and indeed material form.
A Pragmatic world of Making
In the world of the garage, Blocky embodied the pragmatic readiness of a wood block to prop and assist in the cutting of other objects. A world of making, of doing and building things.
It is in this world of making, Blocky inherited its distinctive chips and distinctive triangular markings that remain prevalent and distinctive today, the result of the making of a model boat by wood chisel.
A methodological and technological world
In the world of the workshop, Blocky was a keen observer of the technological. Of radio receivers, black and white televisions, cathode ray tubes, transistors and all manner of associated test equipment.
Blocky was the observer of the technological practices resulting in the study of TechnoScience, discussions of cybernetics and technological reproduction with laser cutters and augmented reality to transmit messages over a public internet.
Launch the Portal
Blocky - of the limitless and possible


QTO was founded on 1 key principle. "It's all about you!"
SALE on FEIN Turbo X AC Auto Clean!
Save over $300 for a limited time on the FEIN Turbo X AC auto clean dust extractor. On sale for only $769.00!
The most powerful oscillating tool on the market is on sale for a limited time.


text:
package umbrella.generator.name;

import org.junit.Assert;
import org.junit.Test;
import org.junit.runner.RunWith;
import org.mockito.runners.MockitoJUnitRunner;

/**
 * @author Johannes Donath <johannesd@evil-co.com>
 * @copyright Copyright (C) 2014 Evil-Co <http://www.evil-co.com>
 */
@RunWith (MockitoJUnitRunner.class)
public class UUIDNameGeneratorTest {

	/**
	 * Defines the type format.
	 */
	public static final String TYPE_FORMAT = "^([A-Z0-9]){32}$";

	/**
	 * Defines the member format.
	 */
	public static final String MEMBER_FORMAT = "^([a-z0-9]){32}$";

	/**
	 * Tests the name generation.
	 */
	@Test
	public void test () {
		// create generator
		UUIDNameGenerator generator = new UUIDNameGenerator ();

		// verify a couple of type names
		for (int i = 0; i < 128; i++) Assert.assertTrue ("Type Name does not match the expected format", generator.generateTypeName (null).matches (TYPE_FORMAT));

		// verify a couple of field names
		for (int i = 0; i < 128; i++) Assert.assertTrue ("Field Name does not match the expected format", generator.generateFieldName (null).matches (MEMBER_FORMAT));

		// verify a couple of method names
		for (int i = 0; i < 128; i++) Assert.assertTrue ("Field Name does not match the expected format", generator.generateMethodName (null).matches (MEMBER_FORMAT));

		// verify a couple of invoke dynamic methods
		for (int i = 0; i < 128; i++) Assert.assertTrue ("Field Name does not match the expected format", generator.generateInvokeDynamicMethodName (null).matches (MEMBER_FORMAT));
	}
}


text:
Tourism in Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal's capital.
Porto and Northern Portugal.
Marinha Beach. The Algarve region leads in overnight stays.
Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.
University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in the world.
Pena National Palace in Sintra, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Monserrate Palace in Sintra, Greater Lisbon.
Pico, Azores, besides being the highest mountain in Portugal, is a wine region whose landscape is protected as world heritage.
Aveiro is known as the "Portuguese Venice".
Tourism in Portugal serves millions of international and domestic tourists. Tourists visit to see cities, historic landmarks, enjoy beaches, or religious sites. In 2017, Portugal had 23 million visitors.[1] The most popular destinations were Lisbon, Porto, Fatima, the Portuguese Riviera and the Algarve. The most popular with internationals were Lisbon, the Algarve and Northern Portugal. National tourists prefer Northern Portugal, followed by Central Portugal and the Algarve.
In 2018, Portugal was visited by 12.8 million foreign visitors. Visitors from the United Kingdom and Spain were Portugal's two biggest sources of tourism with 1.83 million and 1.75 million visitors respectively. France and Germany followed with 1.3 million visitors each.[2]
2 Tourism regions
2.1 Tourist regions
3 Arrivals by country
4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Statistics[edit]
In 2006, the country was visited by 7 million tourists, three million of which came from Spain.[3] By 2018, the country was visited by 12.8 million international tourists.[4]
In 2016, and compared to 2015, most tourists staying in hotels were attracted to Lisbon (6.3 million, up from 5.8), Porto and Northern Portugal (4.4 million, up from 3.9), the Algarve (4.2 million, up from 3.8), Central Portugal (3.2 million, up from 2.9 million), Madeira (1.5 million, up from 1.3), Alentejo (1.2 million, up from 1.1), and the Azores (0.5 million, up from 0.4). The Algarve and Lisbon lead in overnight stays.[5] In 2016, overnight stays grew significantly in other regions: the Azores (+21.1%), Northern Portugal (+14.4%), Alentejo (+12%), Central Portugal (+11.8%), and Madeira (+10.9%).[6][7]
Accounting international tourists, the most popular regions were Lisbon (4.4 million), Algarve (3 million), Northern Portugal (2.1 million), Central Portugal (1.2), Madeira (1.2), Alentejo 370,000 and the Azores. For national tourists the most popular regions were Northern Portugal (2.3), Central Portugal (2.0), Lisbon (1.9), the Algarve (1.2), Alentejo (0.8), Madeira (0.29), and the Azores (0.27).[7]
International Tourist guests
TOP nationalities
(over 100,000 tourists)
National tourists
Lisbon 4.41 France, Spain, Germany, Brazil,
UK, US, Italy, Netherlands,
China, Belgium, Switzerland 1.87
Algarve 3.01 UK (over 1 Million), Germany, Spain,
Netherlands, Ireland, France 1.18
Northern Portugal 2.08 Spain, France, Germany, Brazil, UK 2.28
Central Portugal 1.23 Spain, France, Brazil 1.99
Madeira 1.19 UK, Germany, France 0.29
Alentejo 0.37 - 0.80
The Azores 0.26 - 0.27
Lisbon is, with Barcelona, one of the European cities leading in overnight stays.[8] The urban areas of Porto and Northern Portugal, north of Douro River surpassed Madeira, in 2010, and the Algarve, in 2015, and became the second most visited destination in Portugal. In 2015, most tourists were Europeans, but also from the Americas and Asia. Sleeping in the country's hotels, the most numerous are the British, Spanish, French, Germans, Brazilians, the Dutch, Americans, Italians, and the Japanese, which not only want the sun and the beach, but mostly cultural ones, city breaks, gastronomy, nautical tourism, or business traveling.
Portugal won 14 "Oscars" of the tourism. The national tourism had 77 nominations and won a total of 14 awards in more than 10 European categories, surpassing Spain or Italy, at the gala of the World Travel Awards 2015, whose ceremony took place in Sardinia, Italy. CNN compared Lisbon and Porto head-to-head in order to find who has the best food, culture, old cafés and boutiques, nightlife, and the best beaches.[9]
Travel guide giants Lonely Planet have designated Portugal as one of the top 3 countries to visit in 2018.[10]
Tourism regions[edit]
Tourist hotspots in Portugal are Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, Fatima, Coimbra, Azores, and Madeira, but the Portuguese government is currently developing new destinations: the Douro Valley, Porto Santo Island, and Alentejo.
Portugal has several other tourism regions such as Douro Sul, Templários, Dão-Lafões, Costa do Sol, Costa Azul, Planície Dourada, etc. Most of them are unknown to tourists and locals alike. As of 2007, these are being reorganized.
All these regions are grouped in tourism reference areas, which are widely known because these are the traditional regions:
Costa Verde — The Portuguese green coast comprises all the northern coast of Portugal from the estuary of the Minho River to the city of Porto.
Costa de Prata — The Portuguese silver coast comprises from Porto to Lisbon. Fatima, Nazaré and Óbidos are 3 very important places.
Costa de Lisboa — Lisbon coast. The coast of Portuguese Riviera (Sintra, Cascais and Estoril) and Caparica.
Montanhas — Mountainous and interior regions of northern and central Portugal, namely Serra da Estrela and Trás-os-Montes.
Planícies — The Portuguese plane region of Alentejo in the south.
Algarve — The southern coast of Portugal including the Golden Triangle.
Madeira — The Madeira islands.
Açores — The Azores islands.
Tourist regions[edit]
The main tourist regions can be broken-down into:
the Greater Lisbon,
the Greater Porto,
the Algarve,
the Alentejo,
Central Portugal,
Northern Portugal and
the Portuguese Islands: Madeira and Azores.
Other tourist regions include Douro Sul, Templários, Dão-Lafões, Costa do Sol, Costa Azul, Planície Dourada, that are unknown to many tourists or visitors.
Most of these regions are grouped in tourism reference areas, which continue to be in a state of reorganization and evolution, some based on the traditional regions of Portugal: the Costa Verde (Green Coast); Costa da Prata (Silver Coast); Costa de Lisboa (Lisbon Coast); Montanhas (Mountains); Planícies (Plains); Algarve; and the islands of the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores.
The Rooster of Barcelos is bought by many tourists as a souvenir. The legend of the Rooster of Barcelos tells the story of a dead rooster's miraculous intervention in proving the innocence of a man who had been falsely accused and sentenced to death. The story is associated with the 17th-century calvary that is part of the collection of the Archeological Museum located in Paço dos Condes, a gothic-style palace in Barcelos, a city in the Braga District of northwest Portugal.
Arrivals by country[edit]
In 2015 11,362,240 foreign tourists visited Portugal, a 9.3% increase over the previous years figure of 10,393,920. The majority (81.2%) of visitors were from Europe.[citation needed]
UNESCO World Heritage sites[edit]
List of World Heritage Sites in Portugal
Tourism in Lisbon
List of museums in Portugal
List of Portuguese dishes
Portuguese cuisine
Portuguese Riviera
^ "Lisbon, a city that moves and grows". The Business Report. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
^ https://www.portugalresident.com/2019/02/14/portugal-celebrates-new-tourism-record-21-million-tourists-in-2018/
^ Três milhões de espanhóis visitaram Portugal em 2006[permanent dead link]. January 31, 2007. Público.
^ Estatísticas do Turismo - 2015 - INE
^ Alojamento turístico acelera crescimento - 2016 - INE
^ a b Estatísticas do Turismo - 2016 - INE
^ DN Online: Cidades atraem mais turistas do que os destinos sol e mar Archived 2007-02-18 at the Wayback Machine
^ Paul Ames, CNN. "Porto vs. Lisbon: 8 reasons Porto is cooler".
^ "Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2018: Top Countries".
Portugal Official Tourism Website
Portugal travel guide from Wikivoyage
Media related to Tourism in Portugal at Wikimedia Commons
Portugal articles
Oestriminis
Ophiussa
Lusitanians
Suebi
County of Portugal
Kingdom of Portugal
1383–85 Crisis
Discoveries Odyssey
Treaty of Tordesillas
1755 Lisbon earthquake
Liberal Revolution
Republican Revolution
First Republic
Carnation Revolution
Estrela Mountains
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Tourism in Europe
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tourism_in_Portugal&oldid=931955743"
Tourism in Europe by country
Articles with dead external links from July 2018


text:
A dance party fused with weird performance art is usually what I give as a description for the live performance that is Gumar and his Magical Midi Band. While I've been an active member of this band for the last four years and live performances have been plentiful, all physical releases are in the capable, yet often methodically slow, hands of Gumar himself. So, the release of The Compact Disc EP (released this weekend for the Northwest Folklife festival) is an exciting thing to anybody who patiently waits for a full length follow-up to 2007's self-titled debut on Scream Club's Crunks Not Dead records.
Though only three of the six songs are previously unreleased, I still couldn't be more pleased to have something new. "Alien Groove Thing" is one of the new ones from The Compact Disc E.P. It's a song about accepting differences in others and makes me imagine the B-52's hosting a rave.
Gumar and his Magical Midi Band- Alien Groove Thing (off The Compact Disc EP)
There's also a recent podcast from Dropping Gems that has a lot of new Midi Band songs and Gumar remixes on it and is very worth checking out.
. June 4, 2010 at 1:24 AM
30 seconds of the Midi Band at Folklife: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc0CmN2KZwQ


3 Varieties of Toothpaste: Which One Do You Need?
There's more to brushing your teeth than having the right technique. You'll also need to have the right toothpaste.
There's more to brushing your teeth than having the right technique. You also need to brush several times a day for as long as you feel comfortable. You'll also need to have the right toothpaste. Although there are many different flavors and types out there, you've got to decide which one is the right one.
Teaching your kids the way to brush their teeth is fundamental. Sometimes, they might not like how it tastes. Much like with mouthwash marketed to children, there are fun flavors of toothpaste, like grape, cherry, or bubblegum. You'll find that toothpaste meant for younger brushers won't have as much fluoride in it. In any case, try different flavors and brands until you find the right combination that encourages your child to brush their teeth as much as they can.
However, when you're picking out a new tube of toothpaste, you might have different preferences. Choosing toothpaste with more fluoride in it shouldn't be too difficult. This ingredient will help you fight the effects of tooth decay, as well as cavities. If you have broken teeth or your enamel has worn away, using a special toothpaste formulated with more fluoride may be the best for you. In fact, your dentist can prescribe you with toothpaste that you won't find in the grocery store that should be better suited to help improve your dental health.
There could be dozens of reasons why you don't like your smile: perhaps your teeth are too far apart, or they feature gaps from injuries sustained from sports or after-school activities. A third possibility is that you are feeling self-conscious about how white your teeth are. When you think this is the case, then experiment with whitening toothpaste. You won't see results overnight, but if the prospect of using a home tooth-whitening product is too anxiety-inducing for you, this might be an option. Alternatively, you could talk to your dentist about professional treatments to whiten your teeth, but you might not be comfortable with paying for such procedures.
This entry was posted on Friday, May 4th, 2018 at 12:07 pm. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


text:
2017 1/2 oz Canadian Silver 150th Birthday Maple Leaves Coin (Box)
1+	 $34.99	 $35.35	 $36.45
The maple leaf is perhaps the most iconic symbol for the nation of Canada. A nation of outdoor enthusiasts and tremendous natural wonders, the maple leaf was a natural choice for the official symbol of a country with such bountiful treasures in the outdoors. As part of the nations 150th birthday celebration, a new coin is available from the Royal Canadian Mint. Right now, the 2017 oz Canadian Silver 150th Birthday Maple Leaves Coin is available to purchase online from JM Bullion.
Arrives in the Royal Canadian Mints maroon clamshell.
Celebrates Canadas 150th birthday!
Limited mintage of only 35,000 coins!
Contains Troy oz of .9999 pure silver in specimen condition.
Bears a face value of $10 (CAD) backed by the federal government of Canada.
Obverse includes Queen Elizabeth IIs effigy.
Reverse features the iconic maple leaves.
Designed by G.E. Kruger-Gray.
In 1867, Canada began the process of Confederation to form a newly independent nation separated from the direct rule of the United Kingdom. Though Canada remained a commonwealth nation, the people of Canada took control for their own direct governance through a prime minister and parliament of their own.
Throughout 2016 and into 2017, the Royal Canadian Mint has released a variety of stunning coin programs to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadas confederation movement in 1867. The maple leaf, by far the most iconic symbol of the nation, is the focus of this brilliant coin from the Royal Canadian Mint.
On the reverse of the 2017 oz Canadian Silver 150th Birthday Maple Leaves Coin is the image of a lone, solemn branch that has two small maple leaves clinging to the end of it. Engravings include the words 150 Years/Ans, 2017, and the K G initials of the designer, Kruger-Gray.
The obverse of all 2017 oz Canadian Silver 150th Birthday Maple Leaves coins includes the right-profile effigy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. She remains as the unofficial sovereign of Canada, and has appeared on Canadian coinage since her ascension to the throne of England in 1952.
Each of the 2017 oz Canadian Silver 150th Birthday Maple Leaves Coins in this collection have a unique finish. Specimen quality coins have a finish that shares common features and appearances with a proof coin, but is considered to be unique and brilliant in its own right.
The Royal Canadian Mint was founded in Ottawa, the federal capital city, in 1908 to provide the Canadian nation with its own minting capacity. In 1980, the mint expanded to include a second facility in Winnipeg.
If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to ask. JM Bullion customer service associates are available at 800-276-6508, online through our live web chat, and via our email address.
Manufacturer	 Royal Canadian Mint
Face Value	 $10 CAD
Issuing Country	 Canada
Obverse Designer	 Susanna Blunt
Reverse Designer	 G.E. Kruger-Gray
Series	 Maple Leaf
Mintage	 35,000
Packaging Type	 Maroon Clamshell ox
Weight	 0.50 Troy Ounces
Ray from MO - January 27, 2017
" An excellent piece of Canadian coinage to have in any collection."
"An excellent piece of Canadian coinage to have in any collection."


text:
LPGA, Symetra TourBrian Keogh October 01, 2018 Stephanie Meadow, Leona Maguire
Meadow regains LPGA Tour card
Stephanie Meadow Picture © Symetra Tour
Stephanie Meadow regained her LPGA Tour card when she closed with a bogey-free 67 to tie for eighth in the IOA Golf Classic in Florida.
The Jordanstown star (26) made four birdies in an immaculate final round to finish six shots behind China's Ruixin Liu on eight-under par, picking up $3,271 to remain fourth in the Volvik Race for the Card standings with $63,124 and assure her return to the LPGA Tour with just the Symetra Tour Championship to play.
She joins Dottie Ardina and Ruixin Liu in securing her LPGA Tour card for 2019 after recording 12 top-25 finishes this season including a win and eight top-10 results.
"Amazing, it has been a lot of hard work and realizing that it has paid off is crazy," said Meadow, one of three players in the current Volvik Race for the Card top-10 to play in all 20 events so far this year. "You never quite know and don't want to get too excited. It's really cool, really cool."
What makes the occasion extra special is that Meadow's father Robert would have celebrated his 67th birthday earlier this month. Born on September 17, 1951, he passed away in May of 2015 after a short battle with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Robert was Meadow's inspiration when it came to pursuing the game of golf.
"I think my dad would be very proud, it was his birthday a couple weeks ago," Meadow said. "I think that's a pretty awesome birthday present. I'm just really happy that I get a second chance because I came down here and had to work my way back."
Meadow lost her LPGA Tour membership for the 2018 season after suffering a stress fracture in her lower back last year. When she was set to take a medical exemption, it was too late to regain even partial status.
In her first start as a professional, Meadow finished solo third at the 2014 U.S. Women's Open. Having spent this year on the Symetra Tour to build her strength, she is right on track to showcase that same form on the big stage once again.
"I won't be a rookie and have already learned a lot of things from being out there before," said Meadow.
"I'm hoping I can use that to help me perform to my ultimate potential next year. I've been through a lot the last few years and I'm so glad I have such outstanding support from Investec, Ireland Golf, my family and boyfriend. I wouldn't have been able to accomplish this without them."
Liu, who won her maiden title at the Island Resort Championship in June, fired a 67 to win by a stroke from the Philippines' Dottie Ardina, compatriot Simin Feng and American Dana Finkelstein on 14-under par and move up to second in the money list,
Leona Maguire had two birdies and two bogeys, including one at the 18th, in a level par 71 that left tied for 20th, nine strokes behind the winner on five-under.
While Meadow looks certain to finish in the top 10 in the money list and regain her card, Slieve Russell rookie Maguire (23) is 35th with $26,521 and will need a good performance in the $225,000 Symetra Tour Championship to break into the top 30 in the money list who will be exempt into the new qualifying school, Q-Series.
If she's to avoid Q-School and win her LPGA Tour card directly, she will likely need to win the Tour Championship in Daytona Beach on Sunday.
Symetra TourBrian Keogh April 09, 2018 Stephanie Meadow
Symetra Tour: Meadow sinks 40-footer to win playoff
LPGA, Symetra TourBrian Keogh July 23, 2018 Stephanie Meadow, Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic
Meadow closer to LPGA Tour card despite playoff loss
Symetra TourBrian Keogh September 03, 2018 Leona Maguire, Stephanie Meadow
Top three for Leona Maguire in South Dakota
LPGA, Symetra TourBrian Keogh October 05, 2018 Leona Maguire, Stephanie Meadow, Symetra Tour Championship
One under starts for Meadow and Maguire in Symetra Tour Championship
Symetra Tour, LPGABrian Keogh October 08, 2018 Stephanie Meadow, Leona Maguire, Symetra Tour Championship, LPGA Q-Series
Stephanie regains LPGA Tour card as Leona heads for Q-School
Captain in waiting Harrington smiling as wildcards are vindicated
Ryder Cup, European TourBrian Keogh October 01, 2018 Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk, Thomas Bjorn
Joy for Tullamore and Warrenpoint at Tramore
Amateur golfGolfing Union of Ireland September 30, 2018 Irish Boys Inter-Club Championship, Irish Junior Foursomes, Tramore Golf Club, Tullamore Golf Club, Warrenpoint Golf Club


text:
Those opposed to the end of Iran Nuke Deal: Remember Reykjavik
Posted on May 10, 2018 in Thursday's Editorial
Ronald Reagan with Mikhail Gorbachev in Reykjavik in 1986
(by Seth Lipsky, NY Post) – Remember Reykjavik. That's my advice to those [criticizing] President Trump's decision to walk away from President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran.
Reykjavik was the site of a summit in Iceland where, in October 1986, a nuclear-arms deal was offered by the Soviet party boss, Mikhail Gorbachev. Ronald Reagan stunned the world by walking out.
It turned out that his move set up our victory in the Cold War.
Reagan faced enormous pressure from a nervous world to get a deal from the Soviet camarilla [leaders]. Just the way the Europeans have been pressuring Trump to stick with the Iran appeasement [giving in; giving something to the other side that they have demanded to prevent further disagreement; to stop their anger or threats by giving in to their demands].
France's Emmanuel Macron went to Congress to plug for appeasement. Britain's Boris Johnson made a plea to Trump, as did Germany's Angela Merkel.
They were prepared to improve — or expand — the deal. They were, though, desperate for Trump to stay in the confounded compact, lest we irk the Iranians.
So when Trump walked, [those who wanted] to appease the Iranian mullahs [were critical]. Obama himself said Trump was "misguided." The Washington Post said he "brought us closer to war."
The Europeans expressed "regret and concern." The ink was barely dry on Trump's memorandum when The New York Times started carrying on about how there's no "Plan B."
That's just what the Times did when Reagan — in a move that caught even his own staff flat-footed — stood up and walked out of Reykjavik. "What happens next?" the Times asked.
Not even Reagan knew, of course. He did know that he wasn't prepared to do a deal that wasn't right for America and was contrary to his campaign promises.
Those points are captured in an evocative short film about Reykjavik that's part of PBS's "American Experience." It shows the incredible intimacy of that summit.
It took place in an isolated building, nothing like the palaces ex-Secretary of State John Kerry favored. Reagan, Gorbachev, two translators and a few aides were crammed into a tiny room.
The issues, though, were huge. The Soviets, as PBS relates, suggested both sides destroy half of their long-range bombers and missiles and eliminate all missiles threatening Europe.
It would have been a major de-escalation in the Cold War standoff. Gorbachev offered to make human rights a regular part of the agenda. Secretary of State George Shultz called it "a breakthrough."
The next morning, though, Gorbachev had one catch. He wanted us to restrict our work on our Strategic Defense Initiative anti-missile defense system [SDI; Star Wars]: No testing.
Reagan refused. His chief of staff, Don Regan, suddenly sensed the president was growing restless, wanting to get back to Washington in time for dinner with Nancy.
Restricting our Strategic Defense Initiative [SDI] to the lab seemed an odd condition. Particularly after America countered with a proposal to ban space defenses for a decade, during which both sides would eliminate all their long-range nuclear missiles.
The leaders plunged way past their handlers and experts. Yet Gorbachev clung to the condition of restricting what earned the nickname "Star Wars."
That would doom SDI, Richard Perle whispered to Reagan. The president leaned over to his chief of staff. If we agree, he said, "won't we be doing that simply so we can leave here with an agreement?"
"Within seconds," Perle recalled, "it was over."
When Reagan slumped into his limousine, he was dejected. The president, though, was adamant about not giving up Star Wars. "I couldn't do that," he told [Perle], "I promised the American people I would not give in on that. And I cannot do it."
And he was right not to — the Soviets so feared the arms race that they spent themselves broke trying to compete.
Which brings it back to Trump. Like Reagan, he made a promise on Iran to the American people and clearly felt bound. Redeeming that promise would be itself a boost to our credibility.
It's not just the Iranians who are watching, after all. Keeping his word is the best thing Trump could do as he pivots to Kim Jong-un. Or to Communist China or Putin's Russia.
There's no guarantee Iran, North Korea or any adversary will fold its tent. There was no guarantee the Soviet Union would, either. After Reykjavik, it took them three years.
(Published at NY Post on May 9, 2018. Reprinted here May 10 for educational purposes only. May not be reposted without permission.)
1. The purpose of an editorial/commentary is to explain, persuade, warn, criticize, entertain, assure, praise or answer. What do you think is the purpose of Seth Lipsky's editorial? Explain your answer.
2. What is the main idea of Mr. Lipsky's editorial?
3. Tone is the attitude a writer takes towards his subject: the tone can be serious, humorous, sarcastic, ironic, inspiring, solemn, objective, cynical, optimistic, critical, enthusiastic…etc.
Which word do you think best describes the tone of the commentary? Explain your answer.
4. What encourages you most about Mr. Lipsky's commentary?
THE U.S. MISSILE-DEFENSE SYSTEM:
The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan on March 23, 1983 to use ground-based and space-based systems to protect the United States from attack by strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. The SDI was intended to defend the United States from attack from Soviet ICBMs by intercepting the missiles at various phases of their flight.
The initiative focused on strategic defense rather than the prior strategic offense doctrine of mutual assured destruction (MAD), that assumed that neither side would start a nuclear war because it would not be able to avoid imminent destruction. Reagan's "Star Wars" program drew the Soviets into a costly effort to mount a response. The race depleted Soviet funds and triggered the economic difficulties that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. (Many in the media and liberal circles ridiculed President Reagan for being a warmonger AND a dunce; they did not understand the necessity of a missile defense system).


text:
Solmu Vermas (Verner) Mäkelä, född 18 juni 1922 i Viborg, död 25 juli 2018 i Helsingfors, var en finlädsk trollkonstnär.

Mäkelä inledde sin karriär under andra världskriget, då han turnerade med underhållningstrupperna. Från 1950- till 1980-talet uppträdde han ofta på Borgbackens Taikateatteri, där hans show blev mycket populär. Han var under många år ordförande för trollerikonstnärsföreningen Suomen taikapiiri och chefredaktör för tidningen Simsalabim. Mäkelä hade en spalt i Helsingin Sanomats söndagsbilaga, där han bl.a. presenterade trolleritrick. Dessa artiklar har publicerats i böckerna Ihmeitä iloksi (1964) och Taikoja taskusta (1967).

Källor

Män
Födda 1922
Avlidna 2018
Finländska skådespelare under 1900-talet
Finländska illusionister
Personer från Viborg, Finland

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia