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Great Lawrence Family Health Center
A Proud Part of Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
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Welcome from the CEO
Welcome from the Program Director
About GLFHC
About Lawrence General Hospital
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and Anti-Racism
Spanish Curriculum
Health Systems Management
Scholarly Activity
Contact LFMR
Ghana Global Health Elective
Guatemala Global Health Elective
Nepal Global Health Elective
Overview Ghana Global Health Elective Guatemala Global Health Elective Nepal Global Health Elective
The Lawrence Family Medicine Residency is committed to preparing residents to serve underserved people, wherever they are, in both high and low resource environments. We believe global health experiences are an important part of our residents' preparation for this mission, a mission which transcends national boundaries. Lawrence, Massachusetts proudly calls itself "The City of Immigrants" and is a gateway to the US for many of our patients; gaining insight outside the US healthcare context is therefore valuable. In addition to our Spanish curriculum, we believe cultural competency is an important trait of an optimally trained family physician. There is also no better way to experience a bit of what our patients feel as new immigrants by spending time in a non-English-speaking country, with a different culture.
These rotations are distinct from our Spanish immersion curriculum, which take place at language schools in Central and South America and Mexico, as well as our first year resident class trip to the Dominican Republic.
Although we do offer an Area of Concentration in Global Health, virtually all Lawrence residents participate in our global health curriculum during their residency. Our global health experiences are characterized by several important qualities:
Global health experiences are led by core Lawrence Family Medicine Residency faculty, who work with our residents (1-3 at a time) in an ongoing medical clinic or hospital. The depth of the medical and cultural experience for residents is therefore much deeper than a "medical tourism" approach to global health.
Our faculty members all have a very long-standing relationship with these communities that go back many years; in some cases the faculty member held a previous full-time job there prior to coming to Lawrence.
We offer a wide variety of types of medical experiences, all with a particular "flavor" of curricular emphasis besides the different countries and cultural immersions. For example, our Guatemala rotation emphasizes hospital and maternity care, our Nicaragua and Nepal rotations both feature remote rural experience, our Zambia rotation an HIV/ID emphasis, and our Ghana experience has a surgical emphasis.
"Resident as Teacher" is a major component of all our global health rotations- we want our time there to transcend our presence. Project sustainability and empowerment of those we serve are our overriding goals.
Residents may, of course, set up independent rotations in other countries depending on their interests or career goals.
Global Health Elective Rotations with Lawrence Family Medicine faculty:
(in alphabetical order)
LFMR's curriculum emphasizes experiential learning.
Explore Curriculum
Lead Faculty Member: Vince Waite, MD MPH TM, (15 years of previous full-time practice at the designated clinical site)
Location: Nalerigu via Gambaga, Northern Region, Ghana, West Africa
In country affiliate – Baptist Medical Centre – Established nearly 60 years ago, The Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu is a respected mission hospital located in the Northern Region of Ghana. It was founded through the joint efforts and vision of the Ghanaian Baptist Convention (Gold Coast Baptist Conference) and the International Mission Board (Foreign Mission Board at that time) in 1958. In 2014, the IMB handed the hospital over to the Ghana Baptist Convention who now manage and maintain it. Currently the BMC is a 123 bed hospital whose reputation brings people from as far south as Accra, as far east as Togo and Nigeria, and as far north as Burkina Faso and Mali. Most recent yearly statistics are as follows: 60,000 outpatient visits, 10,000 inpatients, 1,200 major operations, and 2,500-3,000 minor procedures. www.baptistmedicalcenter.org
What we bring: As volunteer physicians, we provide basic support in covering inpatient and outpatient services. We also help contribute to the overall educational mission of the hospital by sharing in regular teaching sessions and skills development workshops with local healthcare workers.
Why we go: Residents experience the practice of medicine and surgery in a radically different, resource limited practice situation. They improve clinical diagnostic and treatment skills, without the usual diagnostic support of modern medicine. Residents also improve surgical diagnosis and procedural skills, and gain experience in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Surgery.
What do residents do?: The elective provides a 3 week cross-cultural experience in Tropical Medicine and Surgery in a very rural African District Health Hospital in Ghana. The Resident will rotate through all the services of the hospital including general medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and general surgery. An emphasis will be placed on general surgical principles. The Resident will participate in the evaluation and treatment of patients in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.
Other parts of the experience: When not working, residents also have opportunities to explore the surrounding community and observe Traditional Healers.
Lead Faculty Member: Andy Smith MD MPH- lived and worked in this community for 2 years besides recurring service trips
Location: Santiago Atitlan – the largest indigenous community in Latin America, set on the banks of Lake Atitlan in the western highlands of Guatemala
In country affiliate – Hospitalito Atitlan – a non-profit private hospital serving the local Tzutujil community of 50,000-60,000 as well as a larger catchment area. H.A. provides 24 hour emergency, inpatient and maternity care and is the only facility that can provide inpatient obstetric and hospital care within 2 hours.
Why we go: We hope to foster in residents an appreciation for the challenges and joys associated with global health work while working alongside the local healthcare providers in their remarkable mission of bringing healthcare to a vibrant but often oppressed people.
What do residents do?: During the 3 week elective, residents work in all the hospital settings. Typically a resident would take call every 4th or 5th night and be in clinic 2 or 3 other days. Additionally residents help by doing outreach clinics to more remote villages, being on call for transfers and deliveries and helping with any visiting surgical teams.
Other parts of the experience: When not working, residents can explore the rich culture of the town, climb nearby volcanoes or work with a Spanish tutor to sharpen language skills.
Lead Faculty Member: Rob McKersie MD
Location: Dhading Region, Nepal. The Dhading Region is north of Kathmandu and stretches to the Tibetan border. 340,000 people live in its 50+ remote villages that are only accessible by foot. We will be trekking to three of these villages (Tipling, Shertung, and Lapa) over a two-week period in the spring and fall of each year. The trek will encompass trekking in the Himalayan Mountains over two high passes (14,000 ft).
In country affiliate: Himalayan HealthCare, Inc. HHC is a non-profit, non-denominational NGO founded in 1992. HHC provides primary health care, education, and income generation assistance to people living in remote and impoverished regions of Nepal, not reached by government and non-government organizations. HHC encourages local participation and involvement in all of its programs to ensure sustainability. Above all, HHC strives to help people help themselves.
What we bring: Our positive spirits, strong backs, collaborative can-do attitude, and willingness to trek into one of the most remote and beautiful mountainous regions in the world.
Why we go: There is a need: Nepal is ranked 157 (out of 187 countries) on the WHO's Human Development Index and has some of the world's poorest healthcare indices (IMR, MMR, under-five mortality rate). In addition, giving residents an opportunity to experience healthcare delivery in a challenging international environment is rewarding for both the residents and the recipients of their care.
What do residents do? During this 3-week elective, residents will practice evidence-based and competent medicine at three medical camps. The Residents will be part of a medical team, comprised of 10 other medical clinicians and 60 support staff, who will see patients in a primary care setting at rural clinics. We will work alongside; teach, in both informal and formal settings, (and learn from) HHC's Nepalese healthcare providers that work in the village health clinics year round.
Residents will have an opportunity to meet traditional healers as well as work with local providers who have knowledge of medicinal remedies.
Other parts of the experience: Residents will have two days before and after the trek to enjoy Kathmandu and the rich cultural experience it has to offer. All participants, prior to the trek, will have a full-day tour of Kathmandu's many wonderful cultural sites. Participants can also extend their stay in the region and experience a multitude of outdoor activities the country's tourism industry offers: bungee-jumping, white-water rafting, tours of national wildlife parks, etc. Traveling to India has also been a destination of past participants.
For Personal Account of HHC's Earthquake Relief Efforts by LFMR faculty Dr Rob McKersie click here.
Public Statement
This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 USC 254b and a deemed Public Health Service employer under 42 USC 233 (g)-(n). No one will be denied access to services at GLFHC due to inability to pay; there is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available based on family size and income.
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Aviso de las Normas de Privacidad – Español
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See how the female six-spotted leaf-rolling weevil expertly crafts a cocoon-like leaf-roll with a Rabdosia trichocarpa leaf. Filmed in Japan by Sigma1920HD, this silent time-lapse of the nidification process was reconstructed from the work of two insects over two days in June of 2012. The rolling starts around 2m30s. The nidus provides shelter and food for the insects' egg and resulting larva.
Here's another nidus being made with a Japanese Elm leaf at 10x speed.
At first, she made nicks on the chosen leaf from both sides of a costa near the stalk. Then she waited for the leaf to wither under the nicks. Next, the female started rolling up the folded leaf to make a nidus and lay her egg(s) inside. Meanwhile, a male kept mounting on her and sometimes patrolled around the leaf as the post-copulatory mate-guarding until the nidus was almost completed. As a final touch, she folded back the remaining part of leaf in order to make a fastening lid. At last, she cut off the completed nidus from the nicked leaf. Filmed for 2 hrs (16:07 – 18:06 pm) in the windy afternoon of mid-May 2016 in Japan.
Entomologist Gwen Pearson also shared an up-close, real-time video of another weevil as she carefully folds the leaf into a nest.
Watch this video next: The Giraffe Weevil of Madagascar.
Plus: A butterfly's metamorphosis, how do cliff swallows build their mud pellet nests? and why do leafcutter ants cut leaves and carry them away?


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My Weirdest Experience
Tina Clarke
Welcome to the podcast of true stories of strange, bizarre and weird experiences. This is the official podcast of high strangeness. A safe place to share your experience with others, you can never get too strange or weird for us! We also provide you support about your experience, with possible theories on why and what actually happened to you. No other podcast is providing this type of support! I am looking for guests on my show that can share weird, unusual, synchronistic, spiritual, paranormal or healing stories. Email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support read less
My Weirdest Experience (Trailer)
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 98 I Found Atlantis with David Edward
David Edward knows where Atlantis is and has proven it in his book Atlantis Solved: The Final Definitive Proof. A former US Military Special Agent, he is a fun and energetic interview who also brings facts and logic to what is often a fringe topic. He has published over 40 books, about evenly split between historical fiction and non-fiction, including the best selling thriller Panama Red, the first book in a series that has sold over 100,000 copies. He holds four graduate degrees including a doctorate in engineering, and he hosts a weekly podcast on the writing industry that often receives as many as 30,000 views per episode. In this episode David shares his compelling evidence on where exactly Atlantis is. Watch this interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/G9i606l1JZg David's links: https://frequency99.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtsTvWizowUtyfveMZdElBQ/videos https://www.amazon.com/Atlantis-Solved-Definitive-Shorty-History-ebook/dp/B09YBLC4QY https://www.amazon.com/David-Edward/e/B08WM1RW64 https://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/david-edward/ https://podcastguests.com/expert/focused+on+writing/ If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Creative MInds by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 97 I Fell Asleep Backstage and Had No Choice But to Jam With the Band with Rick DellaRatta
Having performed with everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to Paquito D' Rivera, Rick DellaRatta is now considered by many to be one of the finest Singer/Pianists performing today and one of only a handful of Jazz Artists who can make a successful musical presentation to a large audience without having to abandon the true art form of Jazz. Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace™ - Considered "One of the most significant cultural events of our time!", this Mainstream/Latin/Brazilian act has built a reputation as "One of the worlds greatest Jazz performers!" In this episode, Rick shares some of his most unique experiences performing for audiences in Rwanda, Pakistan and more. In Rwanda he actually fell asleep backstage, woke up to realize the concert was under way and had no choice but to jam with the band on stage. In Pakistan, he was taken from place to place by guides who spoke very little English. He explains how his nonprofit Jazz for Peace helps charities raise money with a unique way of email networking. We talked about helping one of my favorite charities, the Friends of Berkeley Animal Center and plans are under way to get Rick and his band down here in Charleston to play for the very first time! Watch this interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Eqh3jnxpAIQ Rick's links: www.rickdellaratta.com www.jazzforpeace.org www.facebook.com/JazzForPeaceGrant https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-dellaratta-08199818/ https://twitter.com/jazzmgmt https://www.instagram.com/jazzforpeace/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/jazz-for-peace™/ Music: Creative Minds by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 96 We Were Broke and Out of Options with Dai Manuel
If you want to be inspired listen to this show! Dai Manuel is a Mindset Coach and he shares a story of how his family was living in Bali and they suddenly found themselves both broke and needing to leave the country. But somehow universe steps in and saves the day! We dive deep into the meaning of life and discuss the impact of losing his father, overcoming bullying and obesity, learning to ask for help, managing time and maintaining boundaries, and how to be vulnerable with the right people. More about Dai: He is a super dad, dating his wife, leading by example way of living. He's a contagious personality who is on a mission to positively impact one million role models around the globe to lead a FUN-ctionally healthy life through education, encouragement, and community. He is an award-winning digital thought leader and author, Distinguished Toastmaster, TEDx speaker & edutaining keynote speaker, former partner and Chief Operating Officer of a multi-million dollar retail company, and a sought-after lifestyle mentor executive performance coach. Dai knows the struggle of the juggle and keeping his health and happiness a priority. He models his work based on the 5 F's: Fitness, Family, Faith, and Finances with an overarching roof of FUN, built on a rock-solid foundation of Health. Nuggets of wisdom and inspiration to take action to be your best self are guaranteed when you connect with Dai! Watch this interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/5jAi0i1ZCeg Dai's links: Website: www.DaiManuel.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/daimanuel TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@daimanuel Twitter: www.twitter.com/daimanuel Instagram: www.instagram.com/daimanuel Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daimanuel/ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/daimanuel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/daimanuel If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Creative mInds by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 95 I Broke Up a Cockfighting Gladiator School with Vic Ferrari
Author Vic Ferrari is a retired New York City Police Department detective with the hamstrings of a twenty-year-old. A survivor of an Irish father and Italian mother, Vic loves a cold beer and insists on you removing your shoes when entering his home. When he's not writing, he's picking up after his neurotic Irish wolfhound. Always looking to save a buck, Vic splits his time between Branson, Missouri, and Papua, New Guinea. In this episode, Vic shares some of his best stories from his books. He shares his most embarrassing moment as a NYC police officer, how he unexpectedly walked into an illegal cockfighting ring that was later rescued by the ASPCA, when some teens in a bathroom almost stole his gun and more. Get ready to laugh and be amazed. Watch this interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Jqp4JZhm1TI Vic's links: https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Ferrari/e/B01IIQXLBC/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 https://twitter.com/VicFerrari50 https://www.instagram.com/vicferrari50/ If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music Funky Elements by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 94 No One Laughed at My Comedy Routine with Shaun Eli
Stand-up comedian Shaun Eli has rightfully been called one of America's smartest comics. Whether it's a story about dining with a vegetarian or successfully fighting a parking ticket in criminal court, master storyteller Shaun Eli shows you that there's hilarity in the ordinary if you approach life with a comedic warp. Job interviews? How about the Ten Commandments? For just about anything he's experienced he has hilarious stories at the ready. With a sense of humor that's both cheerful and universal Shaun has headlined shows on five continents. In 2021 he was the recipient of a major profile in The New York Times. In this episode Shaun shares a story about how he did a comic routine and no one laughed. Later he bumped into an audience member who explained why. After the explanation it all made sense. Watch this interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Jqp4JZhm1TI Website and social media links : www.BrainChampagne.com https://www.facebook.com/shaun.breidbart https://twitter.com/ShaunEliComedy If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 93 From Skeptic to Medium with Beau Maxwell
Isabeau "Beau" Maxwell is one of the leading spiritual coaches in intuitive development today. Isabeau brings deep channeled knowledge and personal understanding to the field of spirituality. She has helped people connect to their authentic, natural intuitive abilities for over 15 years. Isabeau is the founder of the award winning intuitive development course, The SAGE Method, the author of the best-selling book Cracking Open: Adventures of a Reluctant Medium, and the creator of the popular online community, The SAGE Circle. In this episode, it feels like I met a new friend! Isabeau and I have so much in common and we do similar work. We discuss how she kickstarted her mediumship journey and how fulfilling working with and communicating with spirits is. There IS life after death and your passed loves ones always know when you are thinking, talking and missing them! Listen to the show and be uplifted by this message. To watch the video interview on You Tube click here: https://youtu.be/iKhIfreI75o Isabeau's links: https://thesagemethod.com https://thesagemethod.com and a link to a free course would be fantastic. We offer training for intuitive development along with an online spiritual community. The free course is called The Top Five Intuitive Tools - https://www.thesagecommunity.com/the-top-five-intuitive-tools https://www.facebook.com/thesagemethod https://www.instagram.com/thesagemethod/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3e072VqtpugOe8cPIk0pQw?sub_confirmation=1 https://www.amazon.com/Isabeau-Maxwell/e/B08DTFSXYQ If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Funky Elements by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 92 My Dog's Death Changed My Life with Ian Williams
Ian Williams is an author, speaker, and business advisor. As an author and speaker his work focuses primarily on personal development and spiritual maturation. As a business advisor, he works primarily with mission driven organizations on the front lines of social and environmental justice to help them build capacity and grow healthy cultures through process optimization, wellbeing integration, and environmental restoration. He has a Master's in Public Affairs (MPA) with an emphasis in Leadership Strategy and Organizational Culture from the University of Minnesota. His background in mindfulness, systems thinking, and regenerative design informs his work. In this episode, Ian speaks of a difficult decision to put his dog to sleep and how her death triggered a major shift in his life that led to sobriety, spiritual awakening and more. We also discuss how inner work can lead to more magical life. Watch this interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/gTRkYvcRqr8 Ian's website and social media links: www.reviveuandi.com www.stillpointinsight.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/reviveuandi/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-c-williams/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reviveuandi/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC71m4jlo5H_VsGcr2rxPjSg If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Creative Minds by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 91 The Solution to Our Problems is Thinking Outside the Box with Keith Nelson
Keith Nelson is a lively, funny person who has enlarged his spirit and understanding by going far beyond a base as a research Professor to explore ocean sailing, wild and amazing nature experiences, creativity enhancements, international travel, photography, painting, and more. In consequence, he brings a unique perspective to comparing and discussing widely different topics. Among his favorite frameworks is his special take on Dynamic Systems. In this episode, Keith and I discuss a sailing expedition where he literally got stuck in a windless weather system in the Bermuda triangle, how thinking outside the box provides solutions to kids who have learning disabilities and his close encounter with a bobcat in the wild. Watch the interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/3auTRij0xWQ Keith's links: https://www.bemorekreative.com/your-skills-will-rise https://www.facebook.com/keith.nelson.5203 https://www.instagram.com/keithnelson9840/ https://twitter.com/nelson_keith If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 90 We Are Normal People Who Believe in the Paranormal with Orville and Cheryl Murphy
Orville and Cheryl Murphy purchased the property and developed Board Camp Crystal Mine in 2012. They kept the land all natural and the Mine is open to the public for rockhounding. In 2017 the strange phenomenon began manifesting on the property and continues to this day! Until 2017 the Murphys did not believe in paranormal! They could no longer deny the phenomenon and the contact, and because it continued, and escalated, the Murphys developed their UnXplained Tours so the public would have the opportunity to see for themselves! Since 2017, hundreds of guests have experienced the UnXplained at Board Camp Crystal Mine! I was so excited that Cheryl and Orville decided to be on my show. In July 2022, I vacationed in the Mount Ida area of Arkansas with the intention to dig for crystals at the many mines in the area. Little do we know that it was going to be extremely hot during our vacation with heat indexes up to 110 degrees everyday. As a result, the mines started to close and limit their hours. Our vacation was ending and we scrambled to find another mine to go to. In that search I found the Board Camp Crystal Mine and they were open! I made a reservation and the very next day we visited the mine. I didn't have much time to research the mine but noticed they did paranormal tours and after talking with Cheryl, they had UFO sightings and Sasquatch encounters on the property! I mentioned the podcast to Cheryl and she graciously agreed to be on the show along with her husband! In this episode, we discuss the beams of light that showed up on their property in 2017, the resulting magnetic changes, the sudden and surprise visits from native American tribal members, the moving rocks, moving picnic tables and their experience with Sasquatch and more! Website links: www.boardcampcrystalmine.com www.facebook.com/boardcamp.arkansas If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Funky Elements by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 89 I Couldn't Hide Anymore with VC Pitt
VC Pitt, author, led a traditional life and had been married over 20 years when her spiritual awakening led to her discovery of being a Twin Flame. Twin Flames is a spiritual connection between two souls who mirror core wounds. It is different than a soul mate connection as it challenges the soul. Loss and death led to numbing out and spiritual lessons. Depression, anxiety, and sadness led to a Dark Night of the Soul, and she turned fully to spirituality to heal herself. In this episode VC and I talk about her the dissolution of her marriage, surviving cancer and the lessons she learned as a result of her relationship with her Twin Flame. Watch this interview on Youtube https://youtu.be/zeoQyO0vEIQ. Learn more about VC at mytfjourney.com If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Dreams by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 88 Fear is the Symptom of Disconnection with Mira Katyal
After narrowly avoiding becoming a doctor, Mira Katyal is now a Holistic Counseling and Lifestyle Coach. She has launched her own company MiraOm, offering education and consultation on nature-based healing. The best point to start according to her, is with Emotional Destress Lifestyle Therapy. Because the surest way to know you are in imbalance is through your feelings. Chronic agitated emotions are a sure sign of imbalance. The second-best place to start is with your Digestion. Chronic digestive aliments are another sign that imbalance is present in the body. It is time for humanity to re-embrace Mother Nature and her gentle, but strict wisdom. The outcomes are better sleep, more peace of mind, better digestive power, reduced illnesses, and a greater ability to size our moment within our circumstances. Her method is to align with Mother Nature's laws to regain mental-physical balance, with the help of Ayurveda, Yoga therapy, Reiki, lifestyle, diet and spirituality. In this episode we discuss how she was able to connect to plants spiritually and receive visual messages from them, the miraculous effects of Reiki and why it's so important to be connected to nature and each other. Watch the interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/PoGmSIJtkDo Website and social media links: https://miraom.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ayurconsultant/ https://open.spotify.com/show/1uzV1kP2lPBW1H0e1h9bJF?si=d6a75df0582441de If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Dreams by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 87 Spirit Wants You to Do Something with Michelle Henderson
Michelle Henderson, M. Ed. worked in education as a teacher, educational diagnostician, and behavior analyst for thirty years. In 2021, Michelle became a Certified Spiritual Advisor with Psychic and Medium Certificates through the Lisa Williams International School of Spiritual Development. With the knowledge she obtained through her life-long work with children, she became passionate about helping intuitive children embrace their gifts. Michelle also shares her innovative ideas with other lightworkers, giving them direction about supporting families of intuitive children. Her book, Spiritual Nurturing for Intuitive Children: Training Parents to Embrace and Enhance Their Psychic Child's Abilities was published on January 5, 2022. In this episode, Michelle and I discuss what it's like to be a psychic medium as a child and what it's like to share with the world your true abilities. I share some of my personal stories as well, and what it is like to raise intuitive children and how to best support them so that they can grow up to be confident as well as authentic. Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/aSKowDKRaio Michelle's links: https://www.michellehendersonmedium.com/FB: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleHendersonMediumYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLU29AU63rcXz3VrHv60OPAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellehendersonmedium/?hl=en If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Dreams by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep86 I Had to Listen to My Heart with James Van Der Walt
James Van Der Walt. Life Coach, and I discuss what happens when you ignore your health problems and ignore your heart. Despite being an ICU nurse, James became sick and had to face that if he didn't change, he wasn't going to make it. Luckily he made the change and now he is n Life Coach helping others become unstuck. Watch Youtube video here If you need help becoming unstuck, contact James or myself (Tina Clarke, podcast host) at the email address below. Bio: My name is James Van Der Walt. Owner of VanDerWalt Coaching LLC in California. I am a life transition coach who works with men and women 30 years and over, who feel disconnected and disjointed from who they truly want to be. I coach and inspire my client's transition to a reconnected and energized life that is charged with curiosity and creative possibility. I have worked as a Specialist Registered Nurse in the U.K. for over 20 years. Specializing in ICU nursing, Organ donation and transplantation nursing and bringing it all together in mentoring, higher education and coaching, before I moved to the USA in January 2020. Wanting to take my career to a new focused life purpose and direction, but continue using all my life experience to date, I become a certified Life and Health Coach at The Health Coach Institute. This led to me becoming an entrepreneur who started my own coaching company, with main aim of inspiring people to stop surviving life, and to start living their own lives! James' website and social media links: https://instagram.com/vanderwalt_coaching_ www.vanderwaltcoaching.com If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Funky Elements by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 85 Violence Was My Whole Life with Agape Garcia
Be Your Incredible Self (BYIS) best describes Agape Garcia's tenacious attitude towards empowering others. Garcia, over the past 35 years has navigated through domestic violence, privacy, safety, vulnerability, and the mindset to endure personal adverse events in life. In today's episode we discuss the trials and tribulations of her life: being abandoned by her mother as a baby, the death of her sister from cancer, domestic violence and more. Through it all Agape has learned to trust herself and now helps other domestic violence victims reclaim their lives. Watch Youtube video here: https://youtu.be/YX9XI_4I9Js 47-Min Emotional Clarity Session https://tinyurl.com/byis47 Website: www.beyourincredibleself.com/ FB: www.facebook.com/beincredible@BEINCREDIBLE LI: www.linkedin.com/in/agarciabyis/ IG: www.instagram.com/beyourincredibleself/ If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Creative Moments by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 84 Silence Teaches with Rich Lewis
Rich Lewis is an author, speaker and coach who focuses on centering prayer as a means of inner transformation. He teaches centering prayer in both his local and virtual community and offers one-on-one coaching. He publishes a weekly meditation, book reviews, and interviews on his site, Silence Teaches. Rich is author of Sitting with God: A Journey to Your True Self Through Centering Prayer. He has published articles for a number of organizations, including Contemplative Light, Abbey of the Arts, Contemplative Outreach, EerdWord, In Search of a New Eden, the Ordinary Mystic at Patheos, and the Contemplative Writer. Rich has been a daily practitioner of centering prayer since June 1, 2014. Centering prayer has been so life-giving and life-changing that he feels compelled to share his journey with others who wish to learn more. Rich resides with his family in Ambler, Pennsylvania. In this episode Rich and I discuss what centering prayer is and how it has transformed his life. He also shares two odd experiences that he believes is a result of his centering prayer practice, the first was feeling overwhelmed by the the intensity of being in NYC and the other was a "bright" moment with his children. Watch this interview on Youtube https://youtu.be/-jgLNlO8ADE Links: https://silenceteaches.com/ https://www.facebook.com/richard.lewis.9279 If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Creative Moments by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 83 Medicine For My Soul: Walking the Camino with Kathleen Donnelly Israel
Kathleen Donnelly Israel has lived her entire life in San Diego CA. She raised 5 children with her husband of 48 years, Ron Israel. They were a team couple for World Wide Marriage Encounter. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Art from San Diego State University and studied Expressive Arts Therapy at the European Graduate School in Switzerland. She cared for her husband for the 17 years that he had Parkinson's disease till he died in 2018. During this time, she studied spiritual healing from many enlightened thought leaders and teachers. She wrote her book about her travels on the Camino Santiago in Spain and about sharing her wisdom with those she met there. In this episode, we talk about her experience walking the Camino by herself and some of the challenges she faced. We also talk about some of her paranormal experiences, including feeling the ghost of her uncle and a strange experience of rags hanging over her child in their bedroom. Watch this episode on Youtube! https://youtu.be/nQ35O-9IJ0U Links: Https://wisdomonthecamino.com Book Clean link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CR9MGD3 Facebook url: https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.d.israel/ Linden link https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-donnelly-israel-97a2389/ Instagram url: https://www.instagram.com/wisdomonthecamino/ If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Funky Elements by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 82 Learn to Live a Quality Life with John Giordano
Mr. John Giordano is an expert in the treatment of addiction, mental health, and the founder of The National Institute For Holistic Addiction Studies (NIFHAS). He is the author of "Proven Holistic Treatment For Addiction & Chronic Relapse", "How To Beat Your Addictions And Live A Quality Life", and his most recent book is the acclaimed: "The Kid From The South Bronx Who Never Gave Up," and is the co-author of "Molecular Neurobiology of Addiction Recovery: The 12 Steps Program and Fellowship." Over twenty years ago Giordano founded the prestigious G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment Center in North Miami Beach, Florida — a 62 bed in-patient/out-patient JCAHO accredited addiction treatment facility. In this episode John shares his tory of how he became an addict and ended up opening several addiction treatment centers with a holistic approach. He came from a family involved in crime and pulled himself out of that legacy to become a successful businessman that now authors books and offers hope to others who might be in despair. Watch the Youtube interview here. John's links: johnjgiordano.com kidfromthesouthbronx.com https://www.facebook.com/john.giordano.3958 https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-giordano-45648662/ If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Funky Elements by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 81 I Was Scattered in a Million Pieces with Ulrika Karlsson
Back in 2008 Ulrika Karlsson was completely burnt out and deeply depressed. She was also suicidal. With only 15 minutes of sleep per night, she woke up at 2:47 from horrible nightmares and in complete panic which is shared in her autobiography "2:47 The Journey Home to my Heart". Ulrika came to a point where she had to choose between Life and Death … Today she shares her experiences and embodied wisdom from her Heart. With nearly 30 years of experience of traditional Western and Eastern Holistic disciplines, Ulrika works with Holistic Health, personal development, and Inner Leadership. Her work as a Spiritual Teacher, International Author, Public Speaker, Yoga teacher, -therapist takes her around the globe to work with men and women of different ages, from all fields of Life. The essence of Ulrika´s work is to increase consciousness, and to guide you into your Heart. Her upcoming book "The Sacred Soul -A Divine Evolution through Time and Space" is also here to make a difference. In this episode we discuss what it feels to be a deeply sensitive intuitive empath in western society, which discourages deep feelings and emotions. Ulrika talks about the importance of go within and healing your traumas so you are adding to the collective grief and trauma in the world. An extremely important topic!!! Watch You tube interview here https://youtu.be/S7IoAxxUCkk Ulrika's links: www.ulliskarlsson.com www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000261784102 If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Funky Elements by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 80 I Was Begging For the Pain to Go Away with Christine Malek
Christine Malek is the founder and creator of SASSI® Coach, a motivational speaker and an International Advocate for Women Against Abuse & Domestic Violence based in Knoxville, TN Her unique approach brings out the strength and the light that shines in each woman, especially those that have survived abuse. She believes once you are out of that situation there is an obstacle for that woman; to face an even bigger challenge – what do I do now and who am I? Her SASSI® Program is designed to help you find those answers with a new beginning to get you to your goals and objectives of where you want to go and who you want to be. Being a survivor and victor herself, she has made it her life's mission to help every woman to Be, Do, Have SASSI®, encouraging woman to "Ruffle Some Feathers & Blow Some Minds!" In this episode Christine shares several experiences, including how she found herself to be in incredible pain after several surgeries and begged for a miracle and received it. She shares an experience of merging energy with an elderly woman who crosses over and some of her natural abilities as a hands on healer. Watch the Youtube video here: https://youtu.be/RpzKz95ExTc You can reach Christine at the following links: https://www.facebook.com/SASSICoachChristine or www.SassiCoach.com If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support
S2 Ep 79 Dreaming of My Dead Brother for 60 Years with Tim Heale
Tim Heale is the podcast host of Ordinary Peoples Extraordinary Stories. In this extraordinary episode, he shares that he's been dreaming of his dead brother for 60 years. Over the years his brother has continued to grow, have adventures, get married and have kids! In his dreams, Tim is still part of his brother's life and he remembers many conversations that he has with his brother. Only recently he has begun to share these dreams with others. Watch the interview here on Youtube: https://youtu.be/KZjCnpqMvVI You find Tim on his podcast website https://thetimhealepodcast.com/ If you have a weird or unusual experience/story and would like to be on the show, email me at contactstargazingangel@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myweirdestexperiencepodcast and show your support by liking our page and our check out our website www.tinakinneyclarke.com/my-weirdest-experience-podcast.html If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/mwereviews and follow the simple instructions. Looking to be matched with a Podcast host or guest? Sign up for a free account at Podmatch Music: Funky Elements by Bensound --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/myweirdestexperience/support

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
ECCB Hosts 18th Annual Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture
(ECCB) The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) began hosting the Annual Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture series in 1996, in honour of the memory of Sir Arthur Lewis, Nobel Laureate in Economics, who made a significant contribution to Caribbean regional integration.
Dr Neville Duncan, Professor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies will present the 18th Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium, ECCB Headquarters on Wednesday, 6 November.
Dr Duncan will speak on the theme: "Awesomeness in Troublesome Times: The New Industrial Revolution and the Workforce in the Eastern Caribbean."
Dr Duncan holds the BSc Economics and MSc Government Degrees from the University of the West Indies, and a PhD from Manchester University, England. Dr Duncan, a political scientist, has researched and published on Caribbean government and politics, political economy, poverty, community empowerment, and non-governmental organisations, and on issues of international relations and development.
In addition, Dr Duncan has undertaken considerable scholarly work in governance, poverty and community development and has had important consultancies with various regional and international organisations including: the World Bank, Organisation of American States (OAS), UNICEF, International Labour Organisation (ILO), CARICOM, and the Oxford Committee for Farming Relief (OXFAM).
Dr Duncan is a prolific writer and scholar having written and published nine books, 23 consultancy reports, over 70 academic and scholarly articles, several other research work, and hundreds of papers and manuscripts.
Following the Lecture, the ECCB will present the 5th Annual Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Book Award to the Montserrat Community College. The award, which is valued at $2,700, is presented annually in alphabetical order to a selected college in the respective ECCU member country.
Roberts Charged For Murder
Cabinet To Establish Universal Health Insurance Implementation Committee
Reviving Fahies Outreach Centre
MIST Explores The Enhanced Pilot Curriculum For Grades 4 And 6


Alexander Landerman is a visual artist who examines the relationships between humans and animals. Utilizing charcoal, ink, and letterpress, his work explores the diminishing connection between society and nature. We're thrilled to showcase a selection of his art in this feature.
Alexander Landerman completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2-Dimensional Art at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, where he also minored in art history. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States and internationally. He is currently furthering his material education working towards his Master of Fine Art in Printmaking at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.


Blade Runner, Ex Machina, Terminator series*though notably that had all variations - kudos! , Chappie, and so many others all featured individual robots you could identify with. Understandable, but, I think, misleading vs. what our experiences with AI are likely to be. The portrayal of Her's Samantha probably got it more correct, or alternately Skynet or HAL. That's not to say that any of these movies aren't good - they can rise or fall on their own merits independent of this issue. I certainly like many of them!
But I think an Ava type situation in Ex Machina, for example, is far past when we would have first encountered the most important issues with AI. This relates to the how it starts topic, but basically, unless it turns out that you need a human like body of sensory inputs in order to have a human like*(or let's just say recognizable/relatable to humans) intelligence, it is just far, far more likely that the first roughly human scale AI (not to mention ASIs) will be a disembodied entity created across server farms. From a processing and resource perspective, that seems like the only thing that makes sense to me. Whatever you could do in a body, you could do first without the constraints of a body.
That's not to say it won't have senses - I think it must. But I don't see why sensory channels, or even a full body (connected remotely rather than housing the mind), couldn't be part of a "cloud"/farm, etc. based AI.
I do think those senses will include (but not be limited to) sight and sound, especially if it is a general intelligence rather than a specific purpose oriented.*which would, I think, likely be made from the start to sense things outside the human norm, like extended spectra, particle counts, packet stats, route health, multitudes of various sensors, etc.
I think it will have to be able to process sight/sound stimuli in order to develop the necessary connections to understand and relate to us and our world. Of course, that may not be the goal, and it certainly isn't likely to be limited (at least for long) to those sensory channels.


text:
in: Characters, Males, Police,
Corrupt Cops
William Schenk
William Emmerson
Jigsaw Copycat
Homicide Detective (Former)
Charlie Emmerson (father)†
Ezekiel Banks (enemy)
Angie Garza (enemy and test subject)†
Marcus Banks (enemy and test subject)†
Marv Bozwick (test subject)†
Fitch (test subject)†
Peter Dunleavy (test subject)†
Benny Reitz (victim)†
John Kramer (inspiration)†
Portrayed by
Max Minghella (older)
Maximus Castrounis and
Leonidas Castrounis (younger)
" John Kramer was right, the spiral. A symbol of change, evolution, progress. But why limit to an individual when you can apply it to a whole system? You got shot for doing the right thing. But let's face it, these cops? They're not going to clean up on their own. But we take a tongue here, a few bones there, they'll come around. We're going to fix a broken department. Okay? You and me. "
— William Emmerson[src]
William Emmerson, also known as William Schenk, is a fictional character from the Saw franchise. He serves as the main antagonist of Spiral.
He was portrayed by Max Minghella.
1.1 Father's Murder
1.2 Becoming a Police Officer
1.3 Partnership with Ezekiel Banks
1.4 Faking His Death
1.5 Reveal and Offer to Banks
1.6 Escape
4 Appearances and References
Father's Murder
William was born and raised as William Emmerson, the son of Charlie Emmerson. The Metropolitan Police Department were under a list of policies called Article 8, which gave them the legal means to do whatever was needed to stop crime. This allowed for corruption, which Charlie witnessed. He saw a corrupt officer murder someone by pushing them off a roof. He was willing to testify against the officer, which put him in the cross-hairs of the other Metropolitan Police Department officers. When William was twelve years old, his father was visited by officers Peter Dunleavy and Ezekiel Banks of the Metropolitan Police. They questioned him on what he saw of the murder. Dunleavy went against orders and shot Charlie, which killed him. A horrified William witnessed from a cabinet where he had hidden. Officer Banks spotted the boy and raised a finger to his lip to shush him, as he worried Dunleavy would kill him. (Spiral)
Becoming a Police Officer
In an elaborate effort to exact revenge for the murder of his father, and punish its other corrupt officers, William assumed the alias of William Schenk and enrolled in the police academy. He knew that under his birth name, William Emmerson, he would never become a police officer, nor would he ever be partnered with Ezekiel Banks. How he managed to falsify his background checks is unknown, though he kept his nose clean as a rookie and caught the attention of captain Angie Garza. When Detective Marv Bozwick is brutally murdered in the subway, Garza called in homicide detective Ezekiel Banks to investigate. She assigned him the idealistic Officer Schenk as his partner. (Spiral)
Partnership with Ezekiel Banks
Ezekiel hated the idea of a partner as he found it hard to trust anyone after he outed Peter Dunleavy as a corrupt cop, as it had given him a target on his back. Captain Garza forced Schenk on Banks, who didn't care much for the small talk that Schenk brought. Schenk claimed that his entire reason for joining the police force was because of Banks's father, Marcus, though Banks warned that he wasn't his father. Banks also warned Schenk that his marriage wouldn't work as officers sign up for dying alone due to their hectic schedules. Schenk, however, is optimistic that not all marriages have to end in an ugly divorce like Banks's.
As they investigated the gruesome murder of Marv Bozwick, Banks begins to think the murders are related to the famed Jigsaw Killer. Fitch notes that if they're dealing with a copy cat things will be crazy. Things escalate when the copycat sends a threatening message to Banks and the Metro PD, revealing their motives as wanting the corrupt cops to come clean. Garza puts the entire department to work, much to Banks' chagrin.
When Detective Fitch is abducted and later murdered by the killer, some officers in the department begin to suspect that Banks is involved since both Boz and Fitch had connections to Banks. Schenk, however, agrees with Banks that someone else is pulling the strings and manipulating the events around them. He remains the only cop who believes Banks. Their investigation makes them cross paths with Peter Dunleavy, the man that Banks turned in for killing an innocent man. Banks warns Schenk that there is a code that he has to learn to follow, or he'll spend his days watching his back. Schenk later goes missing. (Spiral)
Faking His Death
A wooden box was delivered to the police station with the contents being a piece of tattooed skin. Banks recognized it as Schenk's skin. The copycat added a note to the box, taunting Banks for his inability to catch him and threatening to take his head. A vial is inside the box which leads Banks and the police to a butcher shop that Banks used to frequent with his father. Inside the shop, they find a skinned corpse that is identified as William Schenk.
With the world thinking he's dead, Schenk is able to use his knowledge of the police department to kidnap Angie Garza and place her in the basement of the station. He attaches her to machine that will pour hot wax on her face if she doesn't sever her spinal cord. His pre-recorded message to her warns that she never stuck her neck out for the innocent, so the cover-up will now be on her. Garza is able to sever her spine but can't escape the hot wax and is murdered. Banks discovers her body and is heartbroken. Her death, however, gives him a lead that he is unable to follow due to his abduction. (Spiral)
Reveal and Offer to Banks
Banks is kidnapped and forced to decide whether to let himself stay handcuffed to a pipe, or saw off his arm. Banks uncovers a third option when he picks the lock with a bobby pin. He finds Peter Dunleavy chained in front of a machine that hurls glass at his body. Jigsaw's voice narrates that Banks can either save the man who murdered someone in cold blood, or let him die. Banks attempts to save Dunleavy but fails as the man already suffered fatal wounds. He moves to the next room where he finds William Schenk, alive and well, applauding his investigative efforts and ability to navigate his tests.
Banks is initially confused as to how Schenk is alive, though he lays out the gory details. He lured Zeke's father, Marcus, to the abandoned location when he borrowed Zeke's phone for seemingly normal reasons. He then faked his death by copying his tattoo onto a corpse, then used a cover story of his wife and son to make Banks less likely to suspect him. He reveals that he doesn't have either and lied about them. He explains that he was emphatic for the previous Jigsaw's signature symbol the spiral. He viewed it as a symbol of change, evolution, and progress. He sought to fix the broken system that allowed for his father to be murdered. He reveals that his father was Charles Emmerson, the man that Peter Dunleavy murdered, and the reason Banks turned Dunleavy in.
Schenk didn't want to kill Banks, but rather, recruit him. He sought to scare the cops into going straight by killing the ones who commit corruption. He shows Banks his kidnapped father, Marcus, who is hanging in the air while blood drains from his body. Schenk gives Banks a gun with a single bullet - he can either kill Schenk or hit a target that will release Marcus and save his life. The only catch, is that if Banks saves his father then Schenk will escape. Marcus Bank was responsible for the polices that enabled the corruption to occur, which resulted in Schenk's father dying. (Spiral)
Unable to lose his father, Banks shoots the target to free Marcus. He removes the IV that is draining Marcus's blood but refuses to let Schenk escape, and attacks him causing them to fight. A SWAT team arrives but mistakes the situation due to Banks' past with the other victims. They believe Schenk is the one being held captive and aim their weapons at Banks. Marcus is suddenly pulled upwards by wires, as the SWAT team triggered a mechanism when they opened the door. Since a gun is affixed to his hand, the team mistakes Marcus for a threat and shoots him. Banks screams in anguish as his father is murdered in front of him. He looks over to see Schenk escaping through an elevator. Schenk raises one finger to his lips to shush Banks as Banks did to him after his father's murder. Banks lets out an emotional scream as Schenk escapes. (Spiral)
Initially, Schenk is shown to be charming, optimistic, and loyal. However, he is later revealed to be cold, calculating, manipulative and two-faced. He is also very intelligent, using Jigsaw's former methods and applying them to his own goal, whilst seemingly being capable of constructing traps similar to John's, despite them being more gritty and not as polished as his idol. Like John, Schenk constructed his traps to specifications that would allow his victims the chance to survive, in order to complete the ruse.
William had positive motives for assuming the Jigsaw persona, as he wanted to clean up corruption within the police force and get justice for the innocent people that had been harmed, including his father, who Schenk saw murdered by Dunleavy as a boy. However, Schenk chose to indulge in the darkest parts of himself to do so, through kidnapping, torturing, and killing police officers - including those who were never directly involved in his agenda. He became vengeful and twisted, as he viewed his victims as a means to an end - nothing in the larger scheme of things.
William can be described as a sociopath, as he has the ability to blend into society despite his mental instability. He concocted an entire back story to help him grow closer to Zeke and get the man to trust him, in an unsuccessful bid to attempt to recruit Ezekiel to his cause.
William is the first main antagonist who adopted John Kramer's modus operandi without having any ties to him.
William is the second character in the Saw franchise to have a secondary actor as a younger version of him, the first being Ryan.
He is the second police officer to take up Jigsaw's legacy, the first being Mark Hoffman.
However, unlike Hoffman, William tested people for justice, whereas Hoffman used Jigsaw's legacy for his own personal gain.
Before his identity was revealed, William, like Logan, tested people to exact personal justice and revenge against the corruption that resulted in the murder of a family member. For William it was his father, and for Logan, it was his wife. Both of them also succeeded in exacting their own revenge.
William is the third character to use Jigsaw's M.O. to exact revenge. The first two are Logan Nelson and Mark Hoffman.
William's last name may be a reference to Michael Emerson, the actor who played Zep Hindle.
Appearances and References
Saw Saw II Saw III Saw IV Saw V Saw VI Saw 3D Jigsaw Spiral
Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent Appears
"Saw"
(2003 Short) Saw: Rebirth
(2005 Comic) Full Disclosure Report The Scott Tibbs Documentary Saw: The Video Game Saw II: Flesh & Blood
Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent


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Sometimes it feels like it's impossible to cope with what life has dealt you. Relating these feelings to someone else can give you the space to discover a way forward.
Psychotherapy provides this opportunity to talk about events in your life that are too difficult or painful to relate fully to those close to you. It provides the security of a confidential setting but mostly your therapist is trained to help you in your distress and, to discover your abilities in managing life when it feels overwhelming.
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text:
What's wrong with Tim Farron's liberalism?
Tim Farron, erstwhile leader of the Liberal Democrats and evangelical Christian, last week set out his vision of a liberal society and politics rooted in Christian political ideals. Delivering the 2017 annual Theos lecture entitled 'What kind of liberal society do we want?' he casts a vision of a society in which every person is 'free to live as they see fit, to hold their beliefs, their conscience, their worldview and to express them as they wish,' and in which 'forced conformity whether … from the law or from social pressure' is categorically rejected.
Although he is clear that he is not a 'secularist', he does believe in 'pluralism' and a 'secular society' with no 'state faith', be that Christian (he favours disestablishment, saying establishment is 'illiberal' and 'silly' and anyway pollutes and compromises the church, weakening its witness) or atheist. However, he also denounces the idea of neutrality, asserting that there is 'absolutely no such thing'. Instead he argues that liberalism must be grounded on a Christian 'worldview' if it is to avoid 'eating itself' or hollowing itself out. This is because Christianity is 'the essential underpinning of liberalism and, indeed, of democracy … the worldview that gave birth to it, that made it possible, that makes it possible. … Christianity provides the values that permit liberalism to flourish.' Thus 'in discarding Christianity, we kick away the foundations of liberalism and democracy and so we cannot then be surprised when what we call liberalism stops being liberal.'
These foundations of liberalism he locates in some basic Christian beliefs: 'If you believe that you have been saved by grace, by a God who commands that you then show that same selfless love to others, if you believe that God created every person of equal value and dignity and in his own image, and if you believe that you are answerable to that God, then that belief … will define your values and it will define your actions.'
Nevertheless, he does not see the Christian foundation of liberal and democratic society to have any implications for the behaviour of citizens, for, he asks, 'what is the point in legislating to make people who are not Christians behave as though they were?' Indeed, 'making people live as Christians when they aren't is unwise, ungodly, counterproductive and illiberal … It is wrong and it doesn't even work!' Instead he characterises it as 'a pure application of liberalism' for a person 'to believe in the Bible's teaching and to also believe in people's right to reject it and to live as they choose.'
Even so, the discarding or relegating of Christianity from its place as the bedrock of our society he equates with a shift from a firm foundation for liberal rights to a shifting and unstable relativism, since 'if our values … depend upon the temporary norms of this age … we cannot call upon any authority in support of those rights.'
Although he regards liberalism in our society as having 'apparently won', he also speaks of it as having 'eaten itself' by 'discarding Christianity' and thus become illiberal through the 'tyranny of opinion' that it exerts over society of the kind that John Stuart Mill warned against.
With the loss of the Christian worldview as foundation, Farron is very sceptical of the existence of a 'unifying set of British values', describing the idea that we have 'shared values' as a 'myth' about which we are 'fooling ourselves'. This is not because he doesn't believe in 'common values to all humankind', which he identifies with 'the commandments' and our instinctive sense of 'what is wrong and what is right' (which is, he says, 'one of the key proofs that God exists'). But he thinks the 'totalising creed' of 'secularism' has 'atomised' everyone down to 'consumer or regulatory units' and so left society as a 'ship with neither an anchor nor a rudder – just a load of people running around on deck following a few loud voices that sound temporarily convincing.' He regards the assumption that we have shared liberal values as 'dangerous … arrogant and fatal,' leading cultural leaders to seek to enforce them via the 'tyranny of opinion' and thereby inadvertently (but inevitably) creating 'the reactionary politics of populism'.
His alternative vision is of a society that is 'open minded and prepared to accept the potential truth of all belief systems, to test them and see if they are true.' In such a society, 'no idea should be stifled … by shaming its adherents by intolerance towards difference.' A liberal, he says, is someone who fights 'for the rights and liberties of others, and for the space for a worldview that you do not accept', and who stands 'full square behind those whom you find offensive'. By doing so 'you are earning the right to respectfully cause offence to those who look at the world quite differently to you.'
He closes by exhorting Christians to 'crave pure, pluralistic liberalism', and imploring liberals to avoid the liberalism which 'eats itself, leaving nothing more than a respectable tyranny.'
Much of this will I'm sure have had many nodding along in agreement, and there is much in what he says that is timely, commendable and absolutely right. In particular he is absolutely right to point to the Christian foundations of liberalism, both historically and philosophically, and he captures well the inconsistencies and pathologies of a liberalism that has become severed from this foundation – perhaps not surprising when he was himself a high profile victim of its witch-hunting streak.
As so often with political visions oriented towards freedom, however, Farron's vision is very good at giving the impression it will permit everything ('I believe that every person should be free to live as they see fit, to hold their beliefs, their conscience, their worldview and to express them as they wish') and not so good at the more difficult and delicate task of explaining what the limits on that diversity and liberty will be and why. Yet the collision of rights claims is well-known to be endemic to liberalism, and broad assertions that everyone will be permitted to say and do everything they wish often create more problems than they solve.
For does Farron really want to stand 'full square behind' people with racist or supremacist worldviews, or which condone slavery or paedophilia? Let's presume not. But then this means that there are unspoken limits to the scope of his support for beliefs and ideas with which he disagrees and which he finds offensive. He also bemoans the 'disgraceful lack of civility and decency' engendered by social media, but this again indicates a measure of expectation of 'social conformity' to at least a modicum of decorum, and indeed his use here of 'disgraceful' suggests an openness to at least some forms of (verbal) social pressure to behave decently. So, again, we glimpse unspoken limits to his liberal principles, and tacit values which he does appear to expect all to adhere to.
Indeed, looked at in one way, the whole lecture is an impassioned plea for all people to conform to the vision of liberalism that he sets out, and his use of emotive terms like 'silly,' 'arrogant,' 'guilty' and 'tyranny' for those who understand and express liberalism differently are plainly intended to exert a measure of social pressure for them to get in line with his way of thinking. Not that there is anything wrong with that – and one of Farron's central points is that liberals should be prepared to be offended just as they exercise the right (respectfully) to offend – but it obviously does not sit easy with his renouncing of all social pressure to conform. He wants society to be liberal, he wants everyone to be liberal, and he isn't afraid of calling them out in emotive and moral terms when they are not.
This tension comes out perhaps most clearly in his provocative discussion about shared values. As we have seen, although he believes that humanity has common values, he assuredly does not buy the idea that Britain has a set of 'shared secular values'. Moreover, he thinks the attempt to assert that we do is an illiberal and dangerous overreach of power on the part of the cultural elite. Instead, he wants the elite to be liberal by permitting all worldviews and their expression in society, without legal or social pressure to conform. Yet for all that he regards it as essential for the preservation and practice of a liberal society that at its heart is the Christian worldview to underpin it and animate it. He thinks this because the Christian belief in human equality, dignity, responsibility and freedom is, he thinks, a belief that 'will define your values and it will define your actions'. But if Christianity is so essential for liberalism because it defines a person's values and actions, why does Farron expect that those who subscribe to other worldviews will be inclined to be liberal? And if they will not, how does he expect the liberal order to sustain itself?
Farron's position therefore appears to advocate a political order that undermines itself because it requires that everybody is animated by a Christian worldview, yet 'dictates that … we must not all be the same.' Farron regards 'secularism' as responsible for undermining the Christian foundations of liberalism and leading it to 'eat itself', but is it not clear that Farron's vision will undermine its own foundations all by itself, simply by being what it is: a vision which 'dictates' that the worldviews of society must be diverse and forbids all 'social pressure' to make them otherwise? How can a Christian foundation survive under such conditions?
In this respect it is instructive that Farron cites John Stuart Mill as the 'father of modern liberalism.' Mill was a religious sceptic who favoured the 'religion of humanity' and did more than perhaps any other figure to move liberalism away from its moorings in Christianity and the associated theory of natural law and natural rights (Mill favoured a foundation in Utilitarianism, and ultimately in subjective sentiment). The social conformity against which Mill so railed, and which Farron joins him in denouncing, was furthermore largely the product of Victorian evangelical activism which sought (with much success) to shore up precisely the Christian basis of society which Farron regards as liberalism's essential underpinning. The theological foundation for liberalism to which Farron subscribes is found not in Mill but in figures such as John Locke, John Adams and William Gladstone, and (from a more Deist perspective) Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Mill's godless creed is a blind alley for Farron's project.
So what, in sum, is wrong with Tim Farron's liberalism? Essentially that he does not see the tension between the need for an underpinning in a Christian worldview and an absolute commitment to the belief that 'every person should be free to live as they see fit, to hold their beliefs, their conscience, their worldview and to express them as they wish.' The latter will eat the former, not because of 'secularism' but because of its own inherent driving force.
To avoid this problem, we need to be more honest about the Christian (or at least natural theological) basis of liberalism, and the crucial role that culture and its assumptions and expectations play in sustaining that. Farron asks 'what is the point in legislating to make people who are not Christians behave as though they were?' But Farron himself wants a liberal society sustained by people committed to a liberalism which has as its 'essential underpinning' a Christian worldview which defines their values and actions. He also wants it to be characterised by 'civility and decency', and presumably also by people who treat one another with respect and refrain from violence, exploitation, corruption and deceit. But these things are integral parts of behaving as a Christian – they're part of the moral law. So surely we are all on board with a large measure of social and legal pressure to move people to behave 'as though they were' Christians – not because Christians always behave well, but because what we are talking about here is the decency, civility and respect which basic morality and humanity requires of us. Indeed, liberalism (before Mill) saw itself to be grounded precisely in this moral law, established by the Creator, which conferred both the rights and duties from which its liberating political principles emerged.
So let us join with Tim Farron in calling for a return to a more liberal liberalism, one committed to protecting the rights of conscience and expression of all citizens. But let us also be clear about the centrality of Christianity to that project, and not be shy about taking the steps necessary to build the kind of culture and society that will sustain that foundation. We will do this, not by placing the Christian faith in the shadows like a hidden support beam, necessary but forgotten and decaying, but by placing it front and centre, and pointing citizens continually towards it even while always allowing them to walk away, if they so choose, in the opposite direction.
(Image source: Keith Edkins/Wikimedia Commons)
Published by Will Jones
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Recently a friend asked me whether the Buddha had anything to say about criticism, speech pointing out the negative or the defective in things or persons. When I answered in the affirmative he was rather surprised, saying that he thought that criticism would be a type of wrong speech, the opposite of Right Speech (Samma Vaca), the third step on the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path.
The Buddha had more to say about how we speak than almost any other behaviour of ethical significance. He was fully aware of the impact verbal communication can have, for both good and ill. In the Anguttara Nikaya he encapsulated his vision of the ideal speech when he said: "If words have five marks it is well-spoken, not ill-spoken, not blameworthy nor condemned by the wise. It is spoken at the right time, it is spoken in truth, it is spoken gently, it is spoken about goal and it is spoken with love."
This embodies the Buddha's high ethical standards but also a concern for social harmony and peace. Critical speech might be included here but it is not specifically mentioned. For that we have to go to the Abhayarajakumara Sutta in which someone asked the Buddha if he could ever say anything that would upset others, and he affirmed that he could. He said that his words were always characterized by four things; they were truthful, useful, spoken at the right time and motivated by compassion. This can stand as a good definition of Right Speech. Skilful and spiritually mature speech is always honest, straightforward, free from dissembling and euphemisms. It is useful in that it is relevant to the issue at hand and includes a minimum of idle chatter. Such speech is also timely. Some comments at one time could be completely inappropriate and yet just what is needed at another.
Concerning criticism, some of the right times to criticise someone might be in private, to their face rather than behind their back, to balance the chastisement with praise, and when there is a likelihood of bringing about some change in their behaviour. And perhaps it is also good not to be criticising all the time. Constantly carping and condemning someone can be as negative as the fault inviting the criticism. And finally, Right Speech is always motivated by compassion. Even when it includes criticism, the motive of speaking hard truths is not to hurt, embarrass, or to appear superior to the person being criticized but by the genuine desire to help improve persons or situations.
This interesting dialogue on criticism is to be found in the Anguttara Nikaya. "Potaliya came to visit the Lord, greeted him courteously, sat down at one side, and as he did, the Lord said to him: 'Potaliya, there are these four persons found in the world. The first criticizes that which deserves criticism at the right time, saying what is factual and true, but he does not praise that which deserves praise. The second speaks in praise of the praiseworthy at the right time, saying what is factual and true, but does not criticize that which deserves criticism. The third neither criticizes that which deserves criticism, nor praises the praiseworthy. And lastly the fourth criticizes that which deserves criticism and praises the praiseworthy, at the right time, saying what is factual and true. Now of these four persons, which do you think is the most admirable and rare?' Potaliya replied: 'In my opinion, good Gotama, the one who neither criticizes that which deserves criticism nor praises the praiseworthy is the most admirable and rare, because his indifference is admirable.' But the Lord replied: 'Well, I maintain that he who criticizes that which deserves criticism and praises the praiseworthy, at the right time, saying what is factual and true, he is the best. And why? Because his timing is admirable'." Here as elsewhere the Buddha emphasised the positive role of timing when offering criticism.
It seems the Buddha was fully aware of the dual character of criticism, that it is a double-edged sword, that it can be motivated good or evil intentions and lead to either constructive or destructive ends. Here is another interesting dialogue from the Tipitaka on this issue. "The Brahman Vassakara, an important man in Magadha, came to the Lord and said: 'Good Gotama, for my part I say this, this is my opinion. If anyone speaks of what he has seen, heard or sensed, there is no harm in him saying, This is what I saw, This is what I heard, This is what I sensed. No harm can come from that.' The Lord then replied: 'For my part I do not say that everything one has seen, heard or sensed should be spoken of, and nor I do not say it should not be spoken of. If one speaks and negative states grow, then one should not speak. If one speaks and profitable states grow, then one should speak of what one has seen, heard, sensed and understood'." Very clearly here the Buddha is referring to constructive criticism, hard truths that are likely to stimulate reform, change and positive growth.
In some circles in Sri Lanka today criticism of Buddhism and the Sangha has become common, at times even fierce. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Buddhism in Sri Lanka has its problems as does any human institution and there is plenty of room for renewal and revitalization. Criticism can help highlight problems so that reforms can be enacted. It can help distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad. Sri Lankan Buddhism has been infiltrated by many popular practices and superstitions and pointing out the folly of these can help clarify the real Dhamma. Likewise the Sri Lankan Sangha often appears to lack clear leadership and purpose so that some monks channel their energy into rather un-monkly pursuits, the most ignoble of these being politics, astrology, and careerism. But once these and other problems have been highlighted to keep harping on about them just gets everyone down and poisons the atmosphere. The positive next step is to do, or at least recommend, something constructive be done about the problems and provide a vision for a better future. Whether this can or will be done remains to be seen. Sri Lankan Buddhism has been in the doldrums before only to be reformed and renewed. I think of that inspiring monk Saranankara Sangharaja.
Recently someone sent me a link to a sermon on YouTube by a popular preaching monk. I watched the whole video and was quite impressed by the speaker's obvious mastery of the sutras and his fresh perspective on them. His sermon also included criticisms of some of the traditional interpretations of the Dhamma and the behaviour of conventional monks, but most of these criticisms seemed to me to be quite justified. This stimulated me to watch nearly a dozen other sermons by this same speaker but as I did they left me with a less favourable impression. Every talk included criticism of traditional understanding of Dhamma and of monks to the degree that it was a clearly a major theme of the speaker and one he returned to again and again. It almost seemed to be an obsession with him to put others down. And the tone of his voice and the expression on his face while delivering these reproaches suggested that there was a lot of annoyance and even anger behind them. Criticism can tell you as much about the thing being criticised and it does about the one giving the criticism. I also noted that in several sermons the speaker went as far as to say that he, and only he, really understood the Dhamma properly – quite a claim. Presumably he has interviewed every Buddhist on Earth and discussed the Dhamma with them in depth in order to come to this conclusion.
As the Buddha said, criticism has to be given at the right time, and surely one of the wrong times to criticise is all the time, as this speaker did. If someone is constantly condemning, fault-finding and casting aspersions on others we are justified in being suspicious of their motives, especially if at the same time they are insisting how much better than others they are. Likewise, if the criticism lacks tack, a sense of proportion and is couched in an angry, mocking or sarcastic tone we are right to consider that it does not grow out of compassion and kindness. And of course someone who has reached the spiritual heights would never speak is such a way.
Listening to the last sermon of this speaker, taking note of yet more of his condemnations of other monks, I was reminded of the sutra in the Anguttara Nikaya where the Buddha said: "The good person does not speak of what is to the discredit of another, even when asked. What then when unasked? If, however, on being questioned, he is required to speak, then with reserve, hesitation and in brief he criticises the other person. This is the meaning of the words. 'This person is good'."
Let us be aware of our problems, whether social, political or religious, let us speak of them honestly and fully; let us criticise when necessary but in a measured and constructive manner, let us minimise blame and maximise giving thought to how things can be changed for the better. This at least, is what the Buddha counselled, and most Sri Lankans claim to be a people that honour The Great Compassionate One.


Conversos, those forced to convert during the Inquisition, later fled Spain and eventually formed the first Jewish communities in the Americas.
Overall, converso genes account for only a small part of the ancestries of the study populations from each country, ranging from 1 percent in Brazil to 4 percent in Chile. The researches used a set of DNA variations, or haplotypes, observed to be common among Jews with roots in the Iberian Peninsula.
Earlier this month, U.S. Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) announced at a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony that she is descended from Sephardic Jews who fled to Puerto Rico during the Spanish Inquisition. During the ensuing debate, genealogists noted that any individual can count some 1 million ancestors between the present and the year 1500.
This story "Sephardic Genes Widespread In Latin Americans" was written by Cnaan Liphshiz.


text:
Cape Cod Listings
Single FamilyFor Sale
41 Jefferson Ave
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10Full1Half Baths
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A versatile property with some of the best views and one of the nicest beaches anywhere, this sprawling .94-acre Cliff Beach resort compound is a Nantucket landmark. Originally developed as a private beach club in the 1930s, the property includes a recently constructed, four-unit main beach house, two stand-alone cottages, two garages, an entry courtyard/garden and a large Belgian-block parking area. Less than a mile from the center of town in the tony Cliffside neighborhood adjacent to the Beach Club, the compound is part of the only residential/commercial (R/C) zoned property on Nantucket's entire North Shore. Potential uses include; a spectacular residential compound, a luxury boutique hotel, an exclusive private club, a joint venture with other Island accommodation businesses offering the private bathing beach and large beachfront residences that they lack, or a condominium conversion... just to name a few. Significantly the property is not in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area.
I'd like to learn more about 41 Jefferson Ave Nantucket, MA 02554.
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All data relating to real estate for sale on this page comes from the Broker Reciprocity (BR) of the Cape Cod & Islands Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Detailed information about real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Andrew J. Abu Inc., Realtors® include the name of the listing broker. Neither the listing company nor Andrew J. Abu Inc., Realtors® shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. The Broker providing this data believes it to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm any item before relying on it in a purchase decision. © 2023 Cape Cod & Islands Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange/Broker Reciprocity Program of Property Information Network, Inc. . Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Andrew J. Abu Inc., Realtors® are marked with the Internet Data Exchange/Broker Reciprocity logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers. The broker providing this data believes it to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. © 2023 Property Information Network, Inc.. All rights reserved. Updated: 01/30/2023 03:57 PM


Match 2 round English League Cup Fulham - Exeter will be held on Tuesday August 28 at 21:45 (MSK) at the Craven Cottage stadium.
A clear favorite in this game is Fulham, which bookmakers predict the victory with a difference of two or three goals.
The capital club after four years of absence returned to the Premier League and after two defeats at the start of the season - 0: 2 at home from Crystal Palace and 1: 3 at the exit from Tottenham, last weekend won the first victory - 4: 2 at home over Burnley. In the League Cup last season, he passed only one opponent and lost in the second round to Bristol Rovers with a score of 0: 1. And it was a home defeat. And in his field "Dachniki" in the League Cup in regular time do not win four fights in a row, losing three times and once playing a draw. To all else, I must say that in the last 15 matches on his own field in the League Cup, Fulham only played twice in a draw.
It can improve all this statistics this week. In the opponents of Fulham club of the fourth in strength division. There Exeter after five rounds in the group of leaders and struggling for promotion in the classroom, but the difference in the strength of the teams is too great. By the way, for the match against Fulham Exeter fits after the first defeat of the season - at the exit from the MK Dons with a score of 0: 1. In the League Cup in the first round, he beat the penalty Ipswich. In regular time, Exeter won only 2 of the last 14 bouts of the tournament. Interestingly, only two of them were guest - both occurred in 2015, when Exeter first beat Swindon in the wrong field with a score of 2: 1, after which he lost to Sunderland 3: 6.
Fulham and Exeter have already played each other - for the last time in the 1996/97 season when they played in League 2. Then Fulham won 1-0 at home and played a 1: 1 draw at home. In the upcoming meeting, experts believe the site Bukmeker.rf, he will win against the backdrop of low performance of the game with a score of 1: 0 or 2: 0.
Forecast for the match Fulham - Exeter (English League Cup, 2nd round, August 28): Fulham's victory; total less than 2.5 goals. In the bookmaker office 1xStock predict Fulham's victory with a score of 2: 0 or 1: 0 (odds of 7.00 and 8.00 respectively). Bets on a total of less than 2.5 goals are accepted with a coefficient of 2.52.