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McDonald Law, PLLC
Meet The Firm
We apply many years of legal experience in the business world to assist clients in developing agreements, businesses, or plans, whether sales, acquisitions, reorganizations, or initial formation. We draw upon substantial experience to resolve disputed commercial matters, whether through litigation in state or federal courts, or through alternative dispute resolution by mediation or arbitration. Our services cover the full range in the civil practice of law. We exclude criminal and domestic practice from our representation.
We have served many clients over the years and have learned that listening to the client carefully is the most critical first step, to be followed by an evaluation of the circumstances to accomplish the client's goals. We are collaborative with our clients, as appropriate, in the development and pursuit of their goals and needs.
Our practice has been balanced over the last 40 years as we provide counsel to individuals and business ventures while also undertaking litigation matters in various forums and industries. The blend of business representation and litigation experience provides a unique perspective not commonly available in today's hyper-specialized legal environment and culture. We see the lawyer's role as bringing legal skills and business advice to the client, which permits the client to make the most appropriate determinations.
Mr. McDonald has been successfully engaged in the practice of law in Tulsa for over 40 years and has been recognized for his outstanding talents. Mr. McDonald was first recognized among the Best Lawyers in America shortly after the leading publication was founded in 1987, and has been recognized in every edition since then. In addition, Mr. McDonald is recognized by Super Lawyers of America, and has obtained and maintained an "AV" designation by the Martindale legal publication, going back to the 1980's. That designation is provided to lawyers who meet the highest standards in ability and ethics, as selected by peer review.
Through his career, Mr. McDonald has served and serves in General Counsel roles, assisting businesses in dealing with everyday issues as well as strategic planning. This ranges from contract negotiation and drafting, to negotiation in obtaining financial arrangements and acquisitions, to coordinating real estate matters for manufacturing, retail, energy and other businesses.
Mr. McDonald is recognized for his subspecialty of dealing with distressed financial situations, whether from the creditor side, a creditor committee viewpoint, or from the debtor's perspective. Mr. McDonald has been involved in hundreds of in-court and out-of-court resolutions of distressed business enterprise situations. Mr. McDonald is recognized by Best Lawyers as among the nation's best in business reorganization and banking litigation. He has represented investors, debtors-in-possession, Chapter 11 Trustees, and Official Unsecured Creditors Committees, as well as substantial secured creditors in major cases. He has successfully confirmed bankruptcy plans of reorganization in many industries, including Tier 1 automotive manufacturing, grocery, wholesale food distribution, petroleum production, petroleum transportation, petroleum engineering, royalty owners' claims, natural gas gathering systems, retail, financial services, commercial real estate and real estate development, steel mill production, and medical technology. Mr. McDonald has also been involved in conducting substantial sales of assets across a broad scope of industries, pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Mr. McDonald was actively involved in the recent SemCrude bankruptcy case in the United States Bankruptcy Court of Delaware in connection with lead representation of oil producers' interests for four states (Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and New Mexico). In addition, Mr. McDonald has recently been involved in representing royalty interest owners' claims to underpayment of revenue for production.
Mr. McDonald has always been active in community affairs and professional associations, having served as a board member and officer of several civic and professional organizations, including the Tulsa Catholic Diocesan Finance Council, the Margaret Hudson Program, and the Tulsa Thunder Soccer Club (a 501(c)(3) organization). He is currently a member of the City of Tulsa Civil Service Commission.
We take to heart the advice of one of our great mentors – "What clients want is responsive and effective advice, fairly priced, and timely produced." All of our attorneys appreciate the opportunity to serve and we are committed to providing the best counsel available.
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Endurance athletes need to persevere through pain in training and competition. According to Kent University's Samuele Marcora "our mind is what dictates our physical limits". Exhaustion is not caused by muscle failure, but by the conscious decision to disengage from an endurance task. According to Marcora's psychobiological model of endurance performance, perception of effort – the conscious sensation of how hard, heavy, and strenuous a physical task is (Marcora, 2010) – is the ultimate determinant of endurance performance (Marcora & Staiano, 2010).
Fortunately, perception of effort can be manipulated with the use of three mental skills: goal-setting, motivation, and self-talk.
Having specific goals in mind and a plan to achieve them is key when an athlete takes on a challenging endurance task. Goals enhance effort to continue in the face of adversity and the mounting desire to stop. Mentally fractionating a race or training session into distinct segments with specific short-term goals can help athletes stay focused on the task at hand, which in turn, can modify the experience of pain. An athlete's long-term goals can also enhance persistence if they are personal in nature and tied to their core values and beliefs. Without a specific and personally meaningful mission, it is difficult for athletes to override their instincts to slow down or stop as they encounter pain and fatigue during a grueling race or training.
Motivation is the maximum effort an athlete is willing to exert to satisfy a goal (Smirmaul, Dantas, Nakamura, & Pereira, 2013). When the effort required to continue is greater than the effort an athlete is willing to exert, their physiological instincts instruct them to disengage from the endurance task by slowing down or stopping. However, the more motivated an athlete is to achieve their goal, the more effort they will exert in order to remain engaged with the endurance task. Stronger motivation leads to a greater capacity for pain tolerance.
The way an athlete talks to him/herself while performing can mediate their interpretation of incoming signals from the body, which in turn, can alter their experience of pain. Self-talk is a simple and efficient method for athletes to reconnect with goals and motivation during endurance tasks. Motivational self-talk has been shown to enhance endurance performance by helping athletes to persevere through exertion (Blanchfield, Hardy, De Morree, Staiano, & Marcora, 2014; Wallace et al., 2017) and sustain a faster pace (Barwood et al., 2015).
If athletes make a concerted effort to use self-talk in productive ways (i.e., positive, optimistic, and motivational) they can better manage their perception of effort and pain.
It is important for endurance athletes to be aware of the potential power their mind has to decrease perception of effort and consequently increase pain tolerance. Goal-setting, motivation, and self-talk are accessible mental skills that athletes can use to optimally engage their minds to support performance before and during arduous endurance tasks.
Barwood, M. J., Corbett, J., Wagstaff, C. R. D., McVeigh, D., & Thelwell, R. C. (2015). Improvement of 10-km time-trial cycling with motivational self-talk compared with neutral self-talk. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 10(2), 166-171.
Blanchfield, A. W., Hardy, J., De Morree, H. M., Staiano, W., & Marcora. S. (2014). Talking yourself out of exhaustion: the effects of self-talk on endurance performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 46(5), 998-1007.
Marcora, S. (2010). Perception of effort. In E. B. Goldstein (Ed.), Encyclopedia of perception (pp. 381-381). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Inc.
Marcora, S., & Staiano, W. (2010). The limit to exercise tolerance in humans: mind over muscle? European Journal of Applied Physiology, 109(4), 763-770.
Smirmaul, B. P. C., Dantas, J. L., Nakamura, F. Y., & Pereira, G. (2013). The psychobiological model: a new explanation to intensity regulation and (in)tolerance in endurance exercise. Revista Brasileira de Educação Física e Esporte, 27(2), 333-340.
Wallace, P. J., Mckinlay, B. J., Coletta, N. A., Vlaar, J. I., Taber, M. J., Wilson, P. M., & Cheung, S. S. (2017). Effects of motivational self-talk on endurance and cognitive performance in the heat. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 49(1), 191-199.


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Walk Targets Needs at Each School; Envelope Deadline Sept. 23
Walk for Education Set Oct. 13; Triple Activities at Carnival
Teacher Store Provides Free Supplies to Secondary Classroom Teachers
Foundation Grant Deadlines Announced
Sept. 11: Elmo's Diner continues 10 percent donation for education on First Tuesdays, all day; proceeds go to PSF teacher awards and multi-cultural education
Oct. 2: Elmo's Diner donates 10 percent of all sales to PSF and Glenwood Elem.
Oct. 13: Walk for Education, McCorkle Place, UNC, 2pm; Carnival, Lincoln Center, 2:30-6pm
Support Your School with the "Super 16th" Walk for Education on Oct. 13
Students, parents, staff and community members are supporting technology, teaching materials, cultural arts, books, playgrounds and more with their participation in the campaign for the 2012 Walk for Education. Each school has identified the projects that Walk funds will support for their students.
Carnival Activities Increased Three-Fold. The post-walk carnival at Lincoln Center will feature three times the number of rides, activities, and huge inflatables. In addition, the carnival will take over the northwest parking area so even more space is available for all activities.
Donors who contribute $50 will receive the unique Super 16 t-shirt and one wristband for unlimited activities. Donors who contribute $100 also will receive 16 raffle tickets and donors of$250 also will receive 25 raffle tickets.
Raffle prizes include an iPad, a Nook reader, an iPod and an autographed UNC basketball and football.
A $200 cash prize will be awarded to the school that most creatively demonstrates their super features, and a $200 prize will go to the school with the highest percentage of walkers.
The walk route goes down Franklin Street from UNC to the school system's headquarters at Lincoln Center. When they arrive at Lincoln, a variety of booths with activities, food and entertainment will be underway. School clubs and organizations offer fitness activities or sell food and other items to support their programs during the year. Shuttles to and from the Walk for Education will be available from Chapel Hill High and Carrboro High School.
I just wanted to say thank you so very much for the voucher and the opportunity to shop at the teacher store this year. . . What a wonderful positive way to start the 2012-13 school year. My students and I are grateful. – Jane Cutchin, Phillips Middle
Thank you for the store. It was a great opportunity to pick up some items that I needed. . . Thanks for taking care of us. I appreciate it. –Peggy Dreher, McDougle Middle
The East Chapel Hill Rotary Club, in conjunction with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation, Staples Foundation, and Sunrise Rotary Club sponsored another free teacher store in August. The store provided supplies, staplers, pencil sharpeners, thumb drives, cardstock, and a huge range of materials to classroom teachers in all of the middle and high schools and novice teachers and family specialists in all of the schools, K-12. A total of about 425 teachers shopped at the store. Items in the store were purchased using a $15,000 grant from Staples Foundation, funds from East Chapel Hill Rotary Club and Sunrise Rotary Club and gifts from other individuals and businesses. It is estimated that nationwide teachers spend approximately $500 each year out of their own pockets to provide items for their classrooms and students.
Grants Workshop Set Oct. 16 Foundation Grant Deadlines Announced
The CHC PSF offers three grant programs and the first grant-seeking workshop of the year is set for Oct. 16. Contact the foundation office to register at psf@chccs.k12.nc.us or call 919-968-8819. Obtaining information from the workshop will greatly assist grant seekers, said Kim Hoke,Foundation Exec. Dir. Achievers Grants target individual and small groups who need academic support and are low income or teams of students who advance to national competitions. The deadlines are Nov. 1 and April 25, 2013.
Strowd Roses grants, ranging from $2,000-$8000, are expected to make district-wide, school or grade level impact and the deadlines is Jan. 24, 2013. Student Enrichment Grants or SEGs target individual classrooms and range from $200 to$2,000. The deadline is Feb. 21, 2013.
More than 2000 local teachers and staff received their 2012-13 Educator Extra Credit cards, and 14 new businesses joined the ranks of those who are providing discounts for school personnel. The new businesses are: 518 West Restaurant in Raleigh, Barbara Richter-Norton, Architect,Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center, 4805 Hope Valley Rd. Durham (next to Woodcroft Shopping Ctr.), From You Flowers, Law Office of Daniel A. Hatley, MEZ Contemporary Mexican Restuarant, Harrington Bank, The UPS Store at Meadowmont Village, Munchies Mexican Bar and Grill and more.
The complete listing of participating merchants and details of the discount offers are posted on the district site for staff and on the foundation's website:www.publicschoolfoundation.org.
Harrington Bank again joined the foundation in sponsoring the Teacher of the Year Awards at the district level. Harrington president Larry Loeser announced the winners: Kim Mellor, McDougle Elem. and Honor Teachers Amy Sasscer, Morris Grove Elem. and Courtney Sears, FPG Elem. Below are the recipients of the Teaching Chairs and other awards presented through the foundation:
Mary Beth Braker, Carrboro High, Sullivan Chair for Excellence in Teaching English
Tom Brown, Carrboro High, Elmo's Diner Chair for Excellence in Teaching High School Science or Math
Tracey Hartman, Morris Grove Elem., Neil Pederson Chair for Excellence in Technology
Suzanne Stokes, FPG Elem., Sockwell Chair for Excellence in Teaching in the Primary Grades
Tina Atak, McDougle Middle, Rashkis Chair for Excellence in Teaching Language Arts
Karen Galassi-Ferrer, East Chapel Hill High, Elmo's Diner Award for Excellence in Teaching English Language Learners
Melodie Kelly, Rashkis Elem. School, Mary Scroggs Award for Excellence in Support Services, with finalists Cheryl Edwards, Carrboro Elem. and Elizabeth Whortan, Morris Grove Elem.
Hannah Goodwin-Brown, Carrboro Elem.., Exceptional Children's Award for Outstanding Contributions as a Teacher of Exceptional Children
Kalie Norton, Seawell Elem., CHC Foundation Award for Promising New Teachers
Louise Peters, McDougle Middle, the Jeanette Blackwell Mentoring Award
Jessica Harris, East Chapel Hill High, Exceptional Education and Student Support Services of the Year Award
Andrew Lathren, Smith Middle, and July Jones, East Chapel Hill, PSF/BRMA Equity in Teaching Award
Continuing awards that are multi-year went to:
In addition, the CHC Public School Foundation provided cash gifts to each school's Teacher of the Year.
Support CHCPSF through United Way, Harris Teeter and SECC
Parents, staff and community members can support the foundation through several other channels. Here are three:
Harris Teeter number: 6062 PLEASE RE-LINK by clicking here
SECC (State Employees Combined Campaign) No.: 1505
United Way Giving No.: 4130
The CHC Public School Foundation is pleased to continue a service so that parents and others can make tax-deductible donations directly online at the website: www.publicschoolfoundation.org. Just click on the "Donate" button and follow the instructions for one-time or monthly giving.
Tell A Friend. . .
About the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


ABSL Nifty ETF Fund is an Open-ended, large-cap category fund launched in 2011 by Aditya Birla Sun Life. The fund manager name is Lovelish Solanki. The risk in this fund is below average but the returns are above average. In this article, we will do a detailed analysis of the ABSL Nifty ETF Fund, we will dig deep into its AUM, NAV Returns & more.
The scheme aims to generate returns which closely correspond to the returns generated by securities as represented by the Nifty 50 Index. The scheme would aim to maintain the least amount of cash & will also try & avoid investment in debt & money market securities.


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In Davos, the Americans praise the IRA, their plan hated by the Europeans
In front of the Congress Center in Davos, Switzerland, which hosts the World Economic Forum. ARND WIEGMANN / REUTERS
Joe Biden's cabinet ministers and congressional elected officials service the massive green tech subsidy program.
IRA. This acronym is probably the most cited at the World Economic Forum in Davos, at least by European and American participants. It refers to the Inflation Reduction Act, a plan voted last summer by the United States Congress providing massive support for the energy transition, through 369 billion dollars in subsidies.
In Davos, the Europeans, commissioners and ministers, are discussing their counter-offensive in preparation, in the face of what they consider to be unfair competition, likely to suck up investments in electric cars or renewables in America.
The well-stocked American delegation, made up of big bosses, ministers, parliamentarians and even governors, supports the IRA with pride. " The IRA will enable the United States to lead the energy transition and create well-paying and qualified jobs ", Supports Joe Biden's Minister of Labor, Martin Walsh, who came from the union world. But when he is asked about possible adjustments or concessions which could be discussed with the Europeans, the minister kicks in touch: the subject does not fall within his competence and he has not been briefed by the White House, recognizes -he.
SEE ALSO – The call in Davos, by the Spanish prime minister, to tax big business
"A real power of transformation" of the economy
"Americans were rightly blamed for not doing anything about climate change, now they're getting into itcomments a big French boss. They don't do it against Europe but for themselves, he believes. Vicki Hollub is one of those industrialists across the Atlantic who welcome the federal support program. She is CEO of Occidental Petroleum and has committed her oil company to the energy transition. "IRA to subsidize lithium batteries and carbon capture and storage (CCS, in English). We plan to capture 100 million tonnes of CO2 by 2035, and the IRA is going to help us get there"explains the owner. "I say thank you Manchin!The Democratic Senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin, carried the text of the IRA, he who a few months earlier was hostile to subsidies on solar panels. The conversion of this elected official from a state dependent on coal was decisive. Joe Manchin is also in Davos where he points out that "the IRA helps us to consolidate our energy independence".
"The IRA has real transformative powerof the economy, supports Larry Fink, the boss of Blackrock, the largest asset manager in the world. Businesses around the world are looking to the United States».
A high-level working group was set up at the end of last year for the two sides of the Atlantic to discuss. But the Davos Forum allows informal exchanges between stakeholders, anxious to make their point of view heard. Joe Biden's representative for trade, Katherine Tai, is expected to meet a number of European ministers and high-level officials including Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis or Christine Lagarde, the President of the ECB, at a dinner on Wednesday .
The Amazon rainforest is being destroyed at an unprecedented rate by human activities
The winner of the Euromillions is from South Charente, he still has not given a sign of life
Who is Stray Kids, the K-Pop group headlining the Lollapalooza festival?
ASM Clermont: Peceli Yato towards a comeback against LOU
After desecration of Korans, Al-Azhar calls for boycott of Swedish and Dutch products


If the plumbing in your Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky home starts acting up and causing trouble, it can be an immediate and huge source of stress for any homeowner. We rely on our water systems to perform even the simplest of daily tasks, and you need your plumbing performing at its best at all times. That's why Schneller & Knochelmann Plumbing, Heating & Air offers complete 24-hour plumbing repair services throughout the Cincinnati, OH and Covington, KY areas.
Backed by years of experience and top industry training, our certified plumbers are equipped to deal with any and every problem you may have. We put our clients needs first, offering priority solutions to a comprehensive list of possible issues. For Covington and Cincinnati plumbing repair you can trust from a team that puts your needs first, trust Schneller & Knochelmann to provide!
Have a clog, drip, leak, or any other plumbing problem in your home or business? Contact our plumbers today to set a date for your plumbing repair appointment in Cincinnati or Covington, or call 513-407-4424 or 859-757-1877 for emergency service!
The problems your home can encounter range from tiny to huge, but no matter the issue it should be handled by trained professional plumbing contractors. Our Cincinnati and Covington plumbers take your plumbing repair needs seriously, offering priority and customer-focused solutions.
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Plumbing problems can strike at any time, and they're not just going to put themselves on hold in the name of your convenience. Schneller & Knochelmann Plumbing, Heating & Air knows that perfect service should be available at all times, and that's why we have certified and licensed plumbers available any hour and any day to meet your plumbing repair needs.
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For 24-hour plumbing service "near me" in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, call Schneller & Knochelmann at 513-407-4424 or 859-757-1877.


General Plan will be updated in the coming years to incorporate climate, active transportation, urban greening, healthy living and sustainable community strategies.
Housing Element will be updated to create a diverse mix of equitable housing types and incentivize innovative urban infill development, in response to Plan Bay Area and Regional Housing Needs Allocations.
Climate Action Plan adopted May 21, 2013.
Held community workshops to involve community in Climate Action Planning process.
City Environmental Services Division adopted Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets of a 15% reduction of the 2005 level emission by the year 2020 and 30% reduction from the 2005 levels by 2035.
Approved participation in Institute for Local Government's (ILG) 'Beacon Award Program' for local leadership towards solving climate change.
Together with surrounding cities of Albany, Piedmont and San Pablo received grant money through the EPA Climate Showcase Communities Program. Funding goes towards activities that establish and implement climate change initiatives.
Adopted an Urban Forest Plan to manage trees around the city.
In their support of local food production, El Cerrito updated their Animal Ordinance for hobby level sustainable food production of certain animals.
Council appointed Environmental Quality Committee comprised of residents and businesses that work to raise awareness and encourage involvement in reducing the entire community's environmental impact.
Presented GHG Inventory PowerPoint to City Council on May 5, 2008.
Participated in a Neighborhood Publicity Campaign to promote comprehensive audits services for small commercial businesses.
El Cerrito created Energy and Water Efficiency Program (EWEP) to generate funding options for energy and water efficiency upgrades in the city.
Replaced all street lights along San Pablo Ave. with LED lamps as part of Streetscape Upgrades.
Completing construction of a Platinum LEED certified Recycling and Environmental Resource Center.
Adopted a citywide ban on plastic grocery bags.
Offering curbside pick-up of residential compostable food scraps.
Retrofitted 400 feet of San Pablo Ave. storm drain system with low impact storm water rain gardens.
In partnership with East Bay Municipal Utility District the city replaced median landscaping along San Pablo Avenue with water efficient landscaping and awarded WaterSmart certification for reducing irrigation needs by 7 million gallons.
Planted almost 200 trees and water wise landscaping along San Pablo Ave.
Developing a San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Plan to catalyze mode shift away from the private automobile.
Updating the 2007 Circulation Plan for Bicyclists and Pedestrians into an Active Transportation Plan.
Installed Electronic Bike Lockers and Bike Racks near transit.
Constructed bike lanes on Moeser Avenue and Central Avenue and bicycle routes on Ashbury Avenue and Fairmount Avenue.
Constructed Ohlone Greenway improvements in coordination with BART to improve circulation conditions and safety.
Hosts an Energizer Station on the annual "Bike to Work Day".
Held a "No Car Challenge' for city workers and residents in 2010 to reduce reliance on vehicle transportation.
Established an Urban Forest Plan to manage public trees in the city.
Developing an Urban Greening Plan to evaluate and redesign existing open spaces and incentivize new, privately-owned spaces designed to maximize environmental and community development benefits.
Developed and adopted the Ohlone Greenway Urban Greening Project, to improve open space amenities along El Cerrito's 2.7 mile stretch of the Ohlone Greenway. Also includes vision and goals of the Ohlone Green Master Plan.
Created "A Greener El Cerrito" Newsletter with local news and ways to get involved for their interested residents.
As elected officials we must do our part to protect the environment. It's past the time to debate whether climate change is occurring. It's time to act. As elected officials we need to develop programs to change our practices to reduce the activities that have a negative impact on our local community and to increase practices that have a position impact. We can make a difference.


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On February 8, 2019, Dover Corporation issued a press release announcing that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Tobin, will speak at the Barclays Industrial Select Conference on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at 10:55 a.m. EST. Mr. Tobin will also speak at Citi's Global Industrials Conference on Thursday, February 21, 2019, at 8:45 a.m. EST. Links to the live audio webcasts of the meetings will be available on Dover's website (dovercorporation.com) prior to the start time of each meeting, and the replays will be archived on the website for 90 days.
The information in this Item 7.01 (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed by Dover under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
99.1 Press Release dated February 8, 2019.
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 8, 2019 - Dover (NYSE: DOV) announced that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Tobin, will speak at the Barclays Industrial Select Conference in Miami Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at 10:55 a.m. EST. The following day, Mr. Tobin will speak at Citi's Global Industrials Conference on Thursday, February 21, 2019, at 8:45 a.m. EST, also located in Miami Beach.
Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenues of approximately $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, specialty systems, consumable supplies, software and digital solutions, and support services through three operating segments: Engineered Systems, Fluids, and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of over 24,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com.


The full-time Master of Arts (M. A.) in the Economics of Globalization and European Integration program is an academic training program developing competence for European economists with career aspirations in research in universities, government and international organizations, and in research departments of large banks and industrial and commercial corporations.
The University of Economics, Prague (VŠE) has become a member of AACSB, the international association that provides internationally recognized "Business Accreditation". It takes a couple of years to get this prestigious accreditation. Thanks to membership in AACSB, VŠE has now launched this demanding but rewarding process.


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France confirms participation in Junior Eurovision 2019 in Poland!
Ervin Juhász	 Dec 12, 2018
After a break of 14 years and a successful comeback to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest last month in Minsk, France has just confirmed that they are going to be taking part in next year's Contest, which will be held in Poland. France…
France announces Destination Eurovision 2019: 18 songs and 3 live shows!
Nick Day	 Dec 6, 2018
Following the successful launch of Destination Eurovision in 2018, the French national broadcaster France 2 has revealed in a press conference today that the format will be back bigger and better in 2019.…
Vote for your top five of Junior Eurovision 2018!
Ervin Juhász	 Nov 20, 2018
The 2018 Junior Eurovision Song Contest is taking place this Sunday in Minsk. The running order of the 20 participating countries has been announced yesterday, and the first rehearsals on the stage have started today. A couple of days…
Your New Music selection from ESCBubble!
Nick Day	 Oct 30, 2018
Your ESCBubble team has once again had its magnifying glass out across social media, hunting down any new release it can find. We've checked both former Eurovision entrants and National Final contenders, and as always we have a great…
Angelina will sing 'Jamais sans toi' for France at Junior Eurovision!
Nathan Stella	 Oct 15, 2018
French broadcaster France 2 has revealed their Junior Eurovision entry today: they'll be sending Angelina with the song 'Jamais sans toi'! 12-year old Angelina was chosen internally by the French broadcaster and so was her song 'Jamais…
Steven Clerima replaces Edoardo Grassi as the new French Head of Delegation!
Ervin Juhász	 Oct 4, 2018
The official Twitter account of France Télévisions announced that Edoardo Grassi will no longer be the Head of Delegation of France at Eurovision, and that he is going to be replaced by Steven Clerima. After Bruno Berberes stepped down…
Madame Monsieur meet Mercy!
Nathan Stella	 Sep 7, 2018
Beloved husband and wife duo Madame Monsieur (who are Émilie Satt and Jean-Karl Lucas) represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with their song 'Mercy'. 'Mercy' is about a little girl called Mercy, who was born on board of…
France reveals further details about Destination Eurovision 2019
Nick Day	 Aug 24, 2018
2018 saw France's first move back to a National Final with a new show titled Destination Eurovision. It was well received at home and ESCBubble has already brought you the news that it will return in 2019. Yesterday France Télévisions…
The latest new music from ESCBubble
We may be midway through the summer holidays but we still have lots of music from former Eurovision and National Final artists finding its way to ESCBubble HQ. Here is your comprehensive guide to what's out there this week: Amir -…
ESCBubble brings you our New Music Roundup!
Once again the ESCBubble team have hunted all across Europe for some of the freshest new music from former Eurovision and National Final artists. Let's see what we've sourced for you this week: Dolly Style - L.O.V.E. One thing is for…


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Home/Statewide/When The Post-Hurricane Laundry Piles Up, This Is The Place To Go In Port St. Joe
When The Post-Hurricane Laundry Piles Up, This Is The Place To Go In Port St. Joe
By Sofia Millar
November 1, 2018	Statewide
Hurricane Michael left many in the Florida Panhandle picking up scraps and pieces of their homes. When your roof has been blown away, a clean pair of socks may not seem so important.
Port St. Joe residents will tell you clean clothes aren't as low on the list as you may expect. That's why the town's one open laundromat — The Laundry Basket — has been a blessing. Caryn Reid, its owner, evacuated to Mississippi for the hurricane. The chilling images of destruction were burned into her mind during her six-hour drive home to the Panhandle.
"It was overwhelming when we first got back but it's almost like you're kinda getting a little numb to it," Reid said. "You just kinda gotta pull up your pants and keep on going."
It's the only working laundromat that can be found for miles.
"I don't know how I escaped but I'm very thankful," Reid said as she took a look around her laundromat.
Without water, power or gas at home, Reid found it was easier to mop up some puddles and put her business back together than fix her house.
"It smelled 'cause it was closed up and the air wasn't running so it had kind of a funky smell," she said.
Within four days they were able to open their doors again. People came from as near as Wewahitchka and as far as Panama City take advantage of Reid's services.
"We've had everything from 'We've had no damage' to 'I've lost everything and this is what I have,'" Reid said, "so I've had the whole gamut of loss."
Dennis Thorne lives in St. Joe Beach, approximately thirty minutes away from The Laundry Basket. He doesn't visit the main town often, but a trip to the hardware store led him to realize the laundromat was up and running.
Thorne is thankful for the ability to have clean clothes throughout the severe circumstances he's undergoing.
"It's just trying to keep up with some routine of life," Thorne said.
Dennis Thorne is rarely in Port Saint Joe for more than a few minutes. Here, he spends a few hours at The Laundry Basket trying to regain some sense of normalcy with fresh linens. (Sofia Millar/WUFT News)
Reid said the hundreds of people who come through her doors come with all types of baggage — sometimes literally.
"Some people come with just one load cause either it's all they have or it's all they can carry or all they can deal with," Reid said.
Melanie Gant has much more than just one load. She has five children.
"I got a bed in my truck that's full of laundry and stuff that got wet because our roof got messed up and a lot of our stuff got wet," Gant said.
Melanie Gant pulls a heavy bag of laundry from her truck. Three of her five children sit inside the air conditioned truck waiting for her to finish. (Alexis Howard/WUFT News)
Michael broke her washing machine and made her laundry room inaccessible. She already spent six hours at The Laundry Basket and will likely spend many more. Hurricane destruction doesn't stop the dirty laundry from piling up.
It'll take time to rebuild the hurricane-ravaged town of Port Saint Joe. But it may not look like the same place where many grew up and raised their families.
The strong hurricane winds and storm surge leveled out many homes, destroyed businesses, and took a heavy financial toll on many residents in the Florida Panhandle. Reid is afraid a large number of them won't return.
"They want to cut their losses and go. Hopefully they'll find something better," she said.
For those who have come back, The Laundry Basket can make them feel like they've returned home — even if it is one load at a time.
People from all over the Panhandle find a chance to bring clean clothes home at The Laundry Basket. (Alexis Howard/WUFT News)
business Florida Florida Panhandle hurricane Hurricane Michael Panhandle Storm surge water wuft news	2018-11-01
Sofia Millar
Tags business Florida Florida Panhandle hurricane Hurricane Michael Panhandle Storm surge water wuft news
About Sofia Millar
Sofia is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.
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https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Convenience-store-clerk-shot-on-East-Houston-14872354.php
Convenience store clerk shot on East Houston Road, expected to survive
By Dylan McGuinness
Updated 10:42 am CST, Saturday, November 30, 2019
A convenience store clerk is expected to survive after he was shot around 2:50 a.m. Saturday at the East Houston Food Mart, police said.
Photo: On Scene
"Two individuals came in, demanded money, and during that altercation the victim was shot several times," said Christopher Bruce, a Houston police lieutenant.
RELATED: Box truck driver dead after veering into I-45 lanes, crashing into pickup
Responding officers applied compression until paramedics arrived at the store on the corner of East Houston and Ley Roads, Bruce said. The clerk was conscious and breathing when he left the scene.
The two people responsible fled on foot, Bruce said.


text:
package com.koma.mediacategory;

import com.koma.mediacategory.base.BasePresenter;
import com.koma.mediacategory.base.BaseView;

/**
 * Created by koma on 2017/1/14.
 */

public interface MainContract {
    interface View extends BaseView<Presenter> {
        void initViews();
    }

    interface Presenter extends BasePresenter {
        void initAdapter();
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


1973 House Bill 6727. An Act Providing For Reimbursement To The Town Of Weymouth By The Commonwealth For The Cost Of Certain Improvements And Renovation To The Weymouth Municipal Incinerator.
Title 1973 House Bill 6727. An Act Providing For Reimbursement To The Town Of Weymouth By The Commonwealth For The Cost Of Certain Improvements And Renovation To The Weymouth Municipal Incinerator.


I need to get organized. If I was organized, maybe I wouldn't be posting a repeated song so soon. Remember that year I made the kids do a different song every single week with no repeats the entire year? That seems like ages ago now! They also started off knowing more songs for some reason.
However, we've been working on our books of the Bible more.


text:
December 18, 2017 December 18, 2017 Harry C. Blaney III1 Comment
One of the most idiotic event of my lifetime happen just the past week when it was reported that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) told the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (CDC) what words they could not use. This immediately set of alarms both triggered by history and by understanding what is the basics of true national security for a democratic nation.
The "bad' or forbidden words were:
"vulnerable," "entitlement," "diversity," "transgender," "fetus," "evidence-based" and "science-based."
I think you get the drift of what was intended. It was to politicized our language, get it written into our budget process words with malevolent ideological intent.
Worst was the substitute words or phrases that were suggested by the Trump overseers they were: Instead of "science-based" or -"evidence-based," the suggested phrase is "CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes," In short, the local village idiot like Roy Moore or climate deniers would be equal to science based facts. Is it because the Republicans on the Hill are equally dense on science and facts, or are they influenced by the likes of the Koch Brothers, billionaires who have written the tax for the rich bill, the lobbyists for the oil and coal industry and their big fat checks for reelection or the treats of withholding money if they are not obedient?
Think of the implications for our health, for honest and tested science, and for free speech and implications for such an action in our America. Also it is reported that other agencies including the Department of State also received limitation on words they could use which is un-presidente. Further, the Trump people even gave misleading and insulting and politicized new words to use in the same way that Hitler did.
It is just the most recent signs of authoritarian rule and of the simple fact we are being led by both a man of deep ignorance and one who has demonic and dangerous tendencies that threaten in a fundamental way American democracy and frank and open and free debate.
My fears go back to a lecture I heard from the great Christian and controversial theologian Paul Tillich in the 1950s at a college conference in Ohio. He said that one of the great crimes that the Nazis committed was the destruction of the German language by changing the meaning of past words that were commonly understood among thinkers and philosophers into words that aimed to take new meaning to support Nazi rule and propaganda lies and rid the thinking by Germans of words that had real meaning supporting humane values. I have never forgot those thoughts.
The second example that I studied intensely was the Soviet revolution and likewise the period in Germany that lead to Hitler. Both were regimes where words were used to spread hate and as ways of limiting free speech. They used the banning of words and phrases that threatened recognition of true freedom of thought, tolerance, and speech. Now we have in full view the exact same methods of coercion and same methods to destroy truth and fact based discourse.
This move is as dangerous as any act of terrorism and Russian plot against our elections…it is now the deep mad "enemy within" the White House and the GOP that is trying and could caused us to fear the truth and have forced upon us a lexicon of hate, lies and falsehoods.
Efforts to "wash our minds" and silent those who are our truth tellers is as un-American as any external act and leads to a darkness that many of have seen in the past and is appearing in many authoritarian states like Egypt, Turkey, Russia, China and many more.
Words matter and the truth matters and we need the right words to tell the truth.
We Welcome your comments.
Democracy, Donald Trump, Partisan Politics, Republicans, Russia, Terrorism, Trump Banning words, Turkey, White HouseAuthertariaism, Banning of words by White House, Democracy, Donald Trump, Repu blicans, science-based facts, Turkey
RUSSIA'S PUTIN AND AMERICA'S TRUMP: A DISASTER TRAJECTORY FOR OUR NATION?
July 19, 2017 July 19, 2017 Harry C. Blaney IIILeave a comment
We are coming closer and closer to some kind of determining of the trajectory of both the Trump regime at home and the direction and risks of the inherent divide between Putin's Russia and its goals and Trump's own goals or perhaps just incoherent daily utterances and thoughtless unknown schemes. For America this landscape is filled with unknowns and ever growing risks. If we continue as we have with Trump, the ending will likely be danger of more conflicts and with more calamities for both sides and the rest of the world.
For Trump, the world is closing in and his walls of defense are increasingly more desperate and self-contradictory. His efforts to change the direction of attention away from the Trump-Russian contacts and towards diversionary issues confirm his sense of vulnerability. This includes the intensity of his incoherent tweets and acts that indicate at least that he senses serious risk for him, his family and administration. He perhaps sees a point of final dangerous conclusion by the Special Counsel investigation and Congressional inquires.
To put the situation simply, the Trump "walls" are starting to crack (and we do not mean the non existent one on the Mexican border). All of this is solely due to Trump's own nefarious behavior, his conflicting lies and those of his family and staff. Now we have proof of real collusion between Russian agents and the Trump family and staff according recent reported news on the now infamous Trump Tower meeting. This meeting was held clearly to work with the Russian government to influence the 2016 election.
The meeting was with a total of eight persons, some with questionable backgrounds. It was focused much more on helping Trump's election than Trump Jr. reported to the public or US officials originally. The fundamental question that must be in the minds of those alert to the legal and national security implications is that of collusion. The recent revelation of this meeting and that lies were told about it includes the fact that Trump's son and people were offered Russian government information as a key inducement. And Trump Jr., in response to the offer said that he would "love it." Trump Jr. did not put down initially all the people in the room for his security clearance. That in normal times would bar him from access to high level classified information.
The recent revelation of Trump's "private" and unannounced meeting at the G-20 dinner for about an hour with Putin with only a Russia interpreter present and no American interpreter, has raised many serious questions, not least about Trump's primary loyalty and judgement. This is, even more so, as it may have been planned earlier with Putin to assure no Americans would know what was agreed. And we note that Putin had a briefing paper and pen at hand and Trump had nothing!
We have had no real readout of what was discussed at this lone bilateral. Further we initially had strained obstruction regarding getting information on the heart of this meeting by the White House staff.
I can assure all readers, as a former White House staffer and Member of the Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff, this was not normal if substance and deals were discussed and there was no planning or debate by officials on what Trump proposed. Efforts to make little of it only reinforce doubt. This was likely a very BIG DEAL! That there was no serious readout of the meeting only intensifies the feeling America may be sold out by our incompetent and unstable president. Does anyone who should be brief on this discussion really know what was agreed? Perhaps his family knows, or others in the White House or the Secretaries of State or Defense??? Or just the Russians?
One further question: is there other material, likely in the hands of the intelligence community or FBI, which should be shared with Special Counsel Robert Muller? If there is full sharing, we may see the start of far more serious inquires by the Special Counsel who already has asked to interview at least one member of that Trump Tower meeting and reportedly more.
At this time — with the President at the lowest point in public opinion polls and with a history of vitriol and lies in almost all that he does — the question is being asked if this nation can stand and be secure for the next three years with this individual and his "disruptive" family and staff. Not least in this regard Stephen Bannon with his Alt-Right views, seems increasingly to be behind some of the more cruel and hateful policies of this administration.
Some say impeachment is not possible with this GOP dominated Congress which itself says a lot about how our democracy has declined and the integrity of our elected GOP officials as well. Think what the GOP would do if all this was done by a Democratic president? So many have been bought (literally in many cases), by dark wealthy forces wanting to undermine our democracy's efforts towards fairness, equality, and justice for all. How many disasters will the GOP accept before acting?
Thus the issue is likely in the brave hands of the Special Counsel, the FBI and our overall justice system. As Robert Mueller and staff examine the case for civil and criminal action against some in the highest levels in our land we many be able to discern who may have desecrated and shown they are disloyal to our constitution. We also need to thank some in the media who have exposed with courage much of the nefarious dealings of this administration.
We welcome your comments! (Click on title and comment section will be at end of post.)
American-Russian Relations, CIA, Defense, Diplomacy, Donald Trump, Foreign Policy, Hamburg G-20 Meeting, Inteligence Community, ISIS, National Security Strategy, Republicans, Robert Mueller, Special Counsel, Russia, Russian Hacking, Secretary of State, Strategic policy, Syria, U.S. Foreign Policy, Vladimir Putin, White HouseCIA, Donald Trump, FBI Inventigation, Foreign Policy, G-20 Meeting Hamburg, Syria, Trump Tower meeting with Russian, Vladimir Putin
THE TRUMP REGIME – PEOPLE DO MATTER, THEY DETERMINE WHAT WILL HAPPEN! (THE PARADE OF STOOGES)
November 22, 2016 December 7, 2016 Harry C. Blaney III2 Comments
By Harry C. Blaney III
Photo Credit via CNBC
Perhaps the greatest indicator of what will happen in any given administration is the people that are picked for the top posts. I have watched this for many decades for both Democratic and Republican administrations and their choices, like the canaries in the coal mine, tell you what to expect and what to fear. This is especially the case in the foreign and national security area as the consequences can be catastrophic rather quickly and can make for disastrous long-term trends. It tells us also how Trump intends to govern, or is it rule?
Bad choices often have a very high price in such areas as climate change, conflicts in the Middle East, dealing with our allies, and working with Russia and China, as well as dealing with nuclear weapons and getting our critical intelligence right and not politicized.
But the names that have so far emerge have shown a dangerous trend. It is not unlike the naming of Stephen Bannon as Counselor to the President and chief strategist and essentially policy co-equal to the White House Chief-of-Staff. In his case we have next to the president's office a racist, bigoted and alt-right Breitbart News head which has spewed the media and our citizens with hate of just about every minority and group one can conjure up. The exception is the KKK, which endorsed Trump and rejoices in the lifting up of Bannon as one its own. That act alone has cost us greatly in every decent nation and with citizens around the world that prize decency towards all and the worth of every human being. It has given inspiration to every fascist group and dictator around the world and at home. That one appointment alone says much of what the new administration will be like.
Just so is the case with the national security and foreign policy choices that have for some appointments come out of the Trump Tower. Here is the latest developments for the key foreign and national security posts: They are all critical positions of importance like Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the heads of the intelligence agencies, and the National Security Advisor to the President, who heads the National Security Council. We need to remember that for the Chiefs-of-Staff of the Armed Forces Trump gets to have the last say on appointments.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE:
The Department of State is a critical position as John Kerry has already demonstrated in his unbelievable efforts to act as peacemaker, peacekeeper and "Crisis Manager In-Chief". The current crop of "likely suspects" has already been bantered around by leaks and media speculation. For the Department of State such names as Rudy Giuliani, John Bolton, and perhaps a more responsible individual Stephen Hadley, a former George W. Bush national security adviser, who unlike some other Bush types abstained from criticizing Trump during the campaign.
Now the speculation has widened by leaks from Trump's headquarters. Here is a short look at this long and rather bizarre list:
With regard to Bolton, a former Ambassador to the United Nations, who has a not very favorable reputation among many foreign affairs professionals and is known to be difficult to work with. He is the "macro" war hawk and hates almost all global international organizations especially the United Nations. Senator Rand Paul opposes both Bolton and Giuliani, with regard to Bolton in an editorial he wrote: "Bolton is a longtime member of the failed Washington elite that Trump voted to oppose, hellbent on repeating virtually every foreign policy mistake the U.S. has made in the last 15 years."
The other candidates according to the New York Times are: Senator from Tennessee and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker, who has many strange ideas about foreign affairs and has been very partisan.
In the list is former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, who campaign officials said last Tuesday is the leading contender for the job but has been a bit of a nut and attack dog for Trump during the campaign and many now think he is off his rocker with his outlandish statements and campaign hate speech,
South Carolina Governor Nikki R. Haley is on the list, with zero international experience, as are Former United States ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad, former senior military commander in Afghanistan Stanley A. McChrystal, and finally the 2012 Republican presidential nominee and former governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney.
What can be said of the above group is that only Khalilzad and McChrystal have any relevant experience but each have serious faults and problems of their own, and the rest are utterly the worst possible candidates for this demanding job I have seen in 50 years of studying State secretaries or 25 years of working with them as a Member of their Policy Planning Staff and a Foreign Service Officer. They are a kind of joke and likely a disaster in any high foreign affairs position.
As for Gingrich, other than being a virulent extreme Trump pawn, he is as emotionally, morally, and in terms of wisdom in foreign affairs as unfit for any high office as one can think of and especially the Secretary of State. He has now taken his name off the list and seeks at the moment to merely be an outside advisor.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR:
For the position of National Security Advisor Lt. General Michael T. Flynn is to be the pick. He is a man much disliked and mistrusted in national security circles both Democrat and Republican, A irresponsible man who's hawkish stances include views that the highest risk to America is "Islamist militancy" and according to a New York Times article will revive George W. Bush's global war against terrorism. He also has many conflicts of interest due to his financial connection to such authoritarian regime as Turkey where he, while working with Trump, lobbied for the extradition of a political opponent of Turkey's president.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE:
For the Department of Defense one option that has been suggested is 39 year old Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, who saw combat in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army infantry officer and serves on the Armed Services Committee and the select committee on intelligence of the Senate. Stephen Hadley, national security adviser under George W. Bush is now also thought to be a possible candidate, but some sources have ruled him out.
Duncan D. Hunter has also been named as possible for Defense Secretary. He is a Representative from California, a former Marine Officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, just 39 years old, serves on Armed Services Committee, and was among the first two Members of the House to endorse Trump.
Jon Kyl, former Senator from Arizona with a far right reputation, has also been named as a possible pick and former Senator from Missouri Jim Talent, has been cited in the press as another. Finally and not least, James N. Mattis, Retired Marine Corps general and former commander of United States Central Command has risen in the ranks for possible nomination.
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP:
Rep. Mike Pompeo, has been chosen for the job of Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He is on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and United States House Select Committee on Events Surrounding the Twenty Twelve Terrorist Attack in Benghazi. In that role he as been among the most wild partisan attack dogs against Hillary Clinton, ignoring almost all official reports that she was not to blame for the Benghazi events.
For the position of Director of National Intelligence (DNI), who overseas all of the intelligence agencies, National Security Agency Director Admiral Mike Rogers is the leading candidate. Rogers met with Trump on Thursday and his transition team on Friday. Rudy Giuliani is also being considered for DNI, where he would be just as hopelessly unqualified as Secretary of State.
ATTORNEY GENERAL: THE INTERNATIONAL IMPACT OF THIS CHOICE
But with the pick of Senator Jeff Sessions, we not only get an Attorney General who has a racist past and can OK now illegal torture and other actions including illegal surveillance, but one who can also use the FBI to punish political opposition — like the "throw her in jail" or registration of Muslims calls made during the campaign by Trump and others in his motley team. We could see a halting in enforcement of civil rights laws in America. These actions will likely be upheld by the Supreme Court with a new Trump pick who's qualification is holding the most extreme views on all civil liberty, democratic voting protection, and fair governance, and agreeing with illegal presidential orders. He would in effect essentially be a marionette responding yes to any request in the hands of Trump and his far right and racist views. These picks will not least sadly give cover to every obscene brutal act by foreign rulers around the world.
The only way I can sum up the meaning of these appointments is that he has chosen either just compliant stooges or puppets or simply dangerous and unqualified and unbalanced people who can do great damage to our nation. It can also do the same to our globe community by their acts of stupidity, crassness, and evil intent in opposition to every democratic, humanitarian, and decent moral value in existence. More appointments are coming, but these early ones do not signal well for constructive American leadership in the world nor for our well-being and democracy at home.
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Defense, Department of Defense, Department of State, Donald Trump, International Organizations, John Kerry, Republicans, U.S. Foreign Policy, War Hawks
PROSPECTS FOR A "TRUMPIAN" FOREIGN AND SECURITY AGENDA: INCOHERENCE & IGNORANCE VERSUS THE REALITY OF OUR MESSY AND DANGEROUS WORLD
November 14, 2016 November 15, 2016 Harry C. Blaney III4 Comments
THE PROBLEM OF TRUMP THE MAN AND THE DEFICIENCY OF NO CREDIBILITY
Trying to understand what a Donald Trump foreign and security policy might be is like reading tea leaves in a very dark and mushy tea. There is no consistency, little true knowledge of diplomacy and security issues, and no cohesiveness to his many pronouncements. His formal documents and off-hand remarks and his stances are, to say the least, not very enlightening and often rather simplistic, silly, and dangerous.
There will be great efforts to have him look like a "statesman," but if his campaign is any indication he will be, as they say, out of his depth and playing it "by the seat of his pants." You can only do so much with a Teleprompter or printed talking points when you have no depth of knowledge and not a clue to what the other side wants and dangers of misunderstanding when tens of thousands of lives are at stake for example. In this world, those empty grey cells will likely not be enough to ensure the security of our nation nor solve the deep and complex challenges of our conflict-filled messy world.
Subtlety, attention to detail, and seeing the other side of the equation have proven not to be Trump's strong points. However bullying and lying are. What do we do with a leader that has told so many lies that it would be hard for a leader of another country to believe any word he says?
Further, he starts his new presidency with a set of positions that the rest of the world already sees as a disaster, not in their own national interest, and indeed a danger to the entire globe. Here are a few examples which we will examine in more detail in forthcoming posts:
– CLIMATE CHANGE: His rejection of the Paris Global Warming accord which has now come into force. Not only will he not support that agreement despite the science, he does not even believe its reality that man made global warming and ignores its impact on our earth, and has even advocated churning out CO2 with more coal-fired power stations and expanded mining.
– THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL: His stated goal is to repudiate the Iran nuclear deal, which bars Iran from developing nuclear weapons for some 10-20 years and beyond. It will be a total disaster for the world's security and that of Israel, as Iran would be within months of being able to build a nuclear bomb. Further, the alternative of a massive bombing campaign against Iranian targets would do little in the long run, exacerbate the situation, and create even more conflict in the region. Such an effort might draw us into a war we would not have to face with the agreement in place.
– NATO AND OTHER ALLIES: He said we would, in effect, not support NATO allies that do not pay fully for their defense. This is contrary to our NATO treaty obligations AND ALSO REGARDING OUR OTHER ALLIES IN Asia and elsewhere. His position undermines our defense credibility and deterrence power.
– TRUMP AND INTERNATIONAL LAW: Trump has said he supports torture and water boarding, but there is the Convention Against Torture and the Geneva Conventions to which the United States is a party. He can withdraw from these conventions, but that would put our people still under danger of being found criminals if we carried out such horrific inhumane acts. Such action are in any case counterproductive and encourage terrorism. How is that for a moral American position and what it does to us as a presumptive leader of other decent countries?
– DEALING WITH ISIS AND TERRORISM: On 60 Minutes after the election, Donald Trump said he will destroy ISIS as he has said earlier, but gave little indication of how he might do this. He still maintained that he knows more than the generals.
There are facts on the ground which will not change after the election. Much has already been done by Obama's strategy which has severely weaken ISIS without major commitment of U.S. combat forces on the ground and without huge loss of American lives. The concept behind that strategy is to let regional forces carry the fight to ISIS as they do have much to lose and they know the environment that they are fighting in. Our main contributions now are bombing, intelligence, training, and logistics.
What more can be done with an eye on also not ending up mired in a costly "endless war" with high costs of American lives and resources or unneeded and counterproductive destruction of civilian populations? The new president will have to weigh many options but also many major risks in an area he knows almost nothing about, but thinks he knows more than the generals or for that matter perhaps our diplomats and intelligence experts. Also, in the end, it will be politics and diplomacy that will be needed to create the conditions for lasting security and stability in the Middle East. Will he act before he learns and listens or will he act precipitously with high costs for all?
– TRUMP AND CHINA: It can't help but be a clash, but the constraints on the reality of continued trade and their importance as well as cooperation on key issues like North Korea. All the constraints and realities should give some pause to hasty actions by both sides. But it may not if China is aiming for a predominant role in the Pacific and sees Trump as leading America to global weakness. Trade and economics and security are deeply intermixed and the question must be asked if both sides see the advantages of cooperation rather than confrontation. Up to now Trump seems perhaps to often favor confrontation and the American economy may suffer as well as China's from such a strategy. But absent a creditable presence and strong economic and military ties in the Pacific region, China is likely to be even bolder to gain predominance.
– RUSSIA/PUTIN: Trump and Russia remain a hazard zone for both sides. Things can go very badly quickly depending on the reaction of just two people: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Will Putin push too hard, and test the mettle of neophyte Trump? Will Trump think he can make a deal with Putin? But at what cost to American leadership and security or that of our allies? On the agenda is the question of continued sanctions on Russia for the annexation of Crimea and invasion of Eastern Ukraine, and not least how to deal with Russia's violence to civilians and military action on behalf of Syria's Assad, who has committed butchery of much of his own people with Russian help..
NUCLEAR WEAPONS: Of high importance is trying to deal with key nuclear weapons issues. That includes the future of the Iran nuclear deal which Trump has said he will scrap. But also it must address the danger of nuclear war which is the most important issue that needs some kind of understanding between the two largest nuclear nations. Putin seems to think that the nuclear weapons and his military are his high cards which he has used to some success and a way to intimidate America and the West generally. What might Trump do to offer a counter action to obtain a mutually cooperative and fair "deal?" More belligerence from both sides and greater risk of military confrontation is one option, or some measure of cooperation and backing away from dangerous actions is another. In the end, a key question is whether Putin sees in Trump an easy pawn, a partner in his goals. or make deals that can complete his ambitions and harm the West without any cost? For Trump the question is whether he even understands the high risks for all. The whole world will be asking what kind of "deal" can come out of this mix.
There are many other questions that will need to be examined in forthcoming posts on this site, and we will examine in more detail in the coming weeks these and the cited topics here. A key will be who Trump advances as high level national security and foreign affairs officials. However, their influence might be either as bad or even if they are more reasonable, Trump might not listen or even want to learn. We have seen that Trump seems to desire to act compulsively without thought of the long-term harm.
One thing is certain with Trump: we likely will be living in a world sliding quickly into unknown conflict and chaos.
We welcome your comment. Click here to make a comment.
2016 Elections, American-Russian Relations, China, Climate Change, Donald Trump, Iran Nuclear Deal, ISIS, NATO, Putin, Republicans, TPP, U.S. Foreign Policy
CAMPAIGN 2016 IMMIGRATION: THE LARGER BATTLE FOR AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
September 6, 2016 September 16, 2016 Harry C. Blaney IIILeave a comment
By: Harry C. Blaney III
Via the New York Times
The debate over Immigration policy is in reality but a subset of larger issues of what America should be at home and its role in the larger world. It is defining what our country should be in the future and how the world should be shaped to create a safer, more secure, and fairer globe for all humanity.
This subject is not new either for this country nor on a global scale. In reality it goes back to early man and the search for a better life. Having recently visited Britain and the European continent, the problem of migration also has become a major social and political issue. It has, as here in America, begotten the rise of far right, bigoted politics, and neo-Nazi parties that undermine democracy and the social fabric. This trend has become a threat to the unity, sense of common burden, and value sharing throughout most of Europe.
But here in America the immigration topic has also threatened the same values, and in this case the very purpose of the American experiment of a fair, democratic, and open and welcoming society. Many Americans have forgotten our own origins and the struggles of our ancestors to find a better life and build a vibrant and inclusive community. No one today perhaps except for our native population, did not immigrate here, often under conditions of risk and privation.
Today we have as a society witnessed in the form of Donald Trump, the presidential candidate of a major political party and on the cusp of being the leader of the free world. A man with a finger on the atomic button, the antithetical of American ideals and values in his many statements about immigrants, Mexicans, both native born and new to America, as well as African-Americans, the handicapped. and woman of all sorts, who demonstrates the kind of prejudice and racism which has already greatly weakened our nation at home and abroad. He is feared by our friends and welcomed with glee by our adversaries.
All of this has been reinforced by the farce of his visit to Mexico to see its president and in his abhorrent speech in Phoenix on what he would do to our undocumented immigrants. I will not outline here the draconian actions that he has advocated that call in essence to deport some 10 million immigrants and deprive them of any kind of humane treatment or decency. (These can be found in our 2016 Campaign quotes under the "Immigration" section, with the complete speech transcript on our document page).
Here we need to see the deeper implications of these actions and the reverberations of them for our nation and for our stability. And yes they impact not least global security.
These Trump actions and policies already have threatened a globe that acts with humanity and protects our most vulnerable migrating and refugee families. While we are often focusing on our own internal American challenges, such brutal actions proposed by Trump, has much broader implications. We should highlight and better understand the need to add another and often lost dimension in our debates of what his policies might engender around the world and how it would impact on our own values and security.
The first impact would be to alienate us from our vital friend on our Southern border and to do the same to many Latin American citizens from other countries fleeing mortal dangers. It would also encourage similar polices by others, all illegal under existing refugee treaties. This brute behavior by other nations applies especially to our European allies and friends who are facing the coming to power of neo-Nazi and far right parties who are using this issue to create far different harsh societies that we have not seen since Hitler's Germany or Stalin's Soviet Union. American influence is not just because of our military might, but it is largely due to respect of our democratic institutions, our value for the rule of law, and for our firm adherence to our treaty obligations. All of these are threatened by Trumps statements already and even more should he gain power.
The image of an America led by bigots and those that advocate torture and racism is one of the greatest risks we face in a still dangerous world in which respect, and wide acceptance by others of our impartial desire for a more peaceful and just world remains our greatest strength. Other nations depend on our promises contained in our alliances and collaborations, and are our strongest hand in a world of too much conflict and distrust. We lose that and everyone is imperiled.
We welcome your comments! Click here and contribute to the discussion at the bottom of the page.
2016 Elections, Diplomacy, Donald Trump, Foreign Relations, Immigration, International Politics, Latin America, Refugees, Republicans, US Foreign Policy
TRUMP: EXTREME VETTING AND AN EXTREME CANDIDATE: HIS OWN WORDS!
August 18, 2016 August 18, 2016 Harry C. Blaney IIILeave a comment
TRUMP: EXTREME VETTING AND AN EXTREME CANDIDATE
There is much one can learn from the most recent Trump speech on foreign policy. It is still scary and incredulous that there is no real "there there" with any of Trump's foreign policy perspectives. This is especially true when he is off his text and speaks what is really in his mind at that moment and it leads him to express ideas that are his own unbalanced perceptions of reality and his worst prejudices. Yes they are often crazy and silly and not least dangerous.
The examples of going off tract and into the realm of "extreme" views is exemplified in much of this speech which was billed as a means to show a serious policy side in the foreign affairs sector. Between a few peremptory statements that were written by his so-called foreign affairs "experts" that in large part were often along the lines of our current policies, much of the speech's content would make the world a less secure and more dangerous in a host to areas.
His statement that he would institute what he called "extreme interrogations" of Muslim immigrants and visitors to America. Once again, along with building a massive "wall" between the US and Mexico, and clear bigotry against Muslims and even deceased American Muslim war heroes, he sees only what the people at the NRA and the KKK see and this is perhaps more destructive to American democracy, its internal unity, and yes our security globally than almost any other external challenge we face abroad.
On the question of dealing with ISIS, Trump adopted much from President Barack Obama's approach to fighting the so-called Islamic State. Trump's outrageous perception of "solutions include in his words: "I say that you can defeat ISIS by taking their wealth. Take back the oil. Once you go over and take back that oil they have nothing. You bomb the hell out of them and then you encircle it, and then you go in. And you let Mobil go in, and you let our great oil companies go in." Trump also said the United States should have left troops in Iraq to guard oil facilities while the U.S. took all the oil to pay for the war. All of this is clearly absurd, crude unthought through strategy, and also illegal under international law.
What he has not made clear is whether he would send massive troops into the Middle East conflicts?
One lie was his statement was when he said that he has been right about the Middle East from the start. This is not true, old video and audio clips shown on the
MSNBC's "Morning Joe" showed footage against his claim that "I have been an opponent of the Iraq War from the beginning," as he said in his address at Youngstown State University in Ohio. But The "Morning Joe" video played a clip from Howard Stern's radio show. At that time he asked Trump if he was for invading Iraq, and Trump responded, "Yeah, I guess so." The same is true when Trump also contradicted himself on the troop withdrawal or draw down in Iraq.
He said on August 15th: "I have been just as clear in saying what a catastrophic mistake Hillary Clinton and President Obama made with the reckless way in which they pulled out," But the record shows he supported pulling out of Iraq in 2007, when he said "You know how they get out? They get out," Trump told CNN that year. "Declare victory and leave."
He also prevaricated on Libya. In his speech he said "Libya was stable and President Obama and Hillary Clinton should never have attempted to build a democracy in Libya,"
But he also he advocated for deposing Libyan Prime Minister Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
In February 2011, Trump also said in a video filmed in his office that "Gaddafi in Libya is killing thousands of people. Nobody knows how bad it is. We should go in. We should stop this guy, which would be very easy and very quick."
He has been all over the map on the Middle East and time and time again he has change his position but never admitted it that he was wrong. What this shows is his clear lack of analysis, willing to face hard facts on the ground, and unwilling to accept being wrong. That is dangerous for a president and for our nation's effective leadership in the world.
Trump repeated his previous policy to continue the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and even fill it with new detainees. He hinted at including, possibly some U.S. citizens. This facility is one of the great weapons that terrorists point to of the evil of America and a recruiting tool for ISIS. Trump does not even acknowledge this and seems to think that water boarding, torture, and mass bombing including killing of civilians is the way to conduct an effective policy in the Middle East. Even worse he has hinted at using atomic weapons. The Obama administration is trying to close Guantanamo via sending current detainees abroad, which he did recently with 15 individuals, and more are planned. But the easy and right answer is to send them to American maximum security prisons and bring them under US laws.
His stands on climate change, NATO's unity and that of EU, the Iran deal, trade, and dealing with Russia, and on many other issues are the among the most dangerous for a viable and peaceful world and US national security.
In sum, the time has come, given Trump's own words over time and especially now, for a true deep serious analysis of what Trump might do to American respect and security and indeed just rationality in our vital foreign and national security area.
Some in the media have done this, but in the vast conservative Republican owned mainline media and right wing radio talking heads have done little to challenge Trump's lies and clearly deranged and unnecessary aggressive statements that have frightened our allies and embolden our adversaries. It is a high risk world where idiocy is our greatest danger. Indeed, we need more debate and even more serious examination in the media of the full range of global challenges and of what our own corrosive politics has done to our global position. Time has come for more public questioning and more attention to the implications of Trump's policies if we are to achieve a sane and safe world.
SEE OUR 2016 ELECTION PAGES FOR DEBATE UP-DATES
2016 Elections, 2016 Presidential Candidates, Donald Trump, E.U., EU, Europe, Foreign Policy, Hilary Clinton, International Politics, Iran, Iran Nuclear Deal, Iraq, ISIL, ISIS, Islamic State, Libya, Middle East, National Security, National Security Strategy, NATO, President Obama, Putin, Republicans, Role of Media, Russia, Terrorism, US Foreign PolicyBarack Obama, Europe, Foreign Policy, iran, Middle East, National Security, NATO, Russia, Syria, U.S. Politics
GOP National Security Officials Weigh in on Trump
August 9, 2016 August 9, 2016 nsintern1 Comment
On Monday, 50 former Republican national security officials, including Michael Chertoff, Michael Hayden, John Negroponte, Meghan O'Sullivan, and Tom Ridge, released an open letter in which they stated that Donald Trump, if elected, "would be the most reckless President in American history." Below is the full text of the letter and its signatories.
STATEMENT BY FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS
The undersigned individuals have all served in senior national security and/or foreign policy positions in Republican Administrations, from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush. We have worked directly on national security issues with these Republican Presidents and/or their principal advisers during wartime and other periods of crisis, through successes and failures. We know the personal qualities required of a President of the United States.
None of us will vote for Donald Trump.
From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief. Indeed, we are convinced that he would be a dangerous President and would put at risk our country's national security and well-being.
Most fundamentally, Mr. Trump lacks the character, values, and experience to be President. He weakens U.S. moral authority as the leader of the free world. He appears to lack basic knowledge about and belief in the U.S. Constitution, U.S. laws, and U.S. institutions, including religious tolerance, freedom of the press, and an independent judiciary.
In addition, Mr. Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he has little understanding of America's vital national interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances, and the democratic values on which U.S. foreign policy must be based. At the same time, he persistently compliments our adversaries and threatens our allies and friends. Unlike previous Presidents who had limited experience in foreign affairs, Mr. Trump has shown no interest in educating himself. He continues to display an alarming ignorance of basic facts of contemporary international politics. Despite his lack of knowledge, Mr. Trump claims that he understands foreign affairs and "knows more about ISIS than the generals do."
Mr. Trump lacks the temperament to be President. In our experience, a President must be willing to listen to his advisers and department heads; must encourage consideration of conflicting views; and must acknowledge errors and learn from them. A President must be disciplined, control emotions, and act only after reflection and careful deliberation. A President must maintain cordial relationships with leaders of countries of different backgrounds and must have their respect and trust.
In our judgment, Mr. Trump has none of these critical qualities. He is unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood. He does not encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts impetuously. He cannot tolerate personal criticism. He has alarmed our closest allies with his erratic behavior. All of these are dangerous qualities in an individual who aspires to be President and Commander-in-Chief, with command of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
We understand that many Americans are profoundly frustrated with the federal government and its inability to solve pressing domestic and international problems. We also know that many have doubts about Hillary Clinton, as do many of us. But Donald Trump is not the answer to America's daunting challenges and to this crucial election. We are convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless President in American history.
Donald B. Ayer
Former Deputy Attorney General John B. Bellinger III Former Legal Adviser to the Department of State; former Legal Adviser to the National Security Council, The White House
Robert Blackwill Former
Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Planning, The White House
Former Secretary of Homeland Security; former Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, Department of Justice
Eliot A. Cohen
Former Counselor of the Department of State
Eric Edelman
Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; former National Security Advisor to the Vice President, The White House
Gary Edson
Former Deputy National Security Advisor, The White House Richard Falkenrath Former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, The White House Peter Feaver Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning, National Security Council, The White House
Richard Fontaine
Former Associate Director for Near East Affairs, National Security Council, The White House
Jendayi Frazer
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs; former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
Aaron Friedberg
Former Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President, The White House
Former Director of Policy Planning, Department of State
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asia, National Security Council, The White House
Brian Gunderson
Former Chief of Staff, Department of State
Paul Haenle
Former Director for China and Taiwan, National Security Council, The White House
Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency; former Director, National Security Agency
Carla A. Hills
Former U.S. Trade Representative John Hillen Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
William Inboden
Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning, National Security Council, The White House
Reuben Jeffery III
Former Under Secretary of State for Economic Energy and Agricultural Affairs; former Special Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, National Security Council, The White House
Former Deputy National Security Advisor, The White House
Ted Kassinger
Former Deputy Secretary of Commerce
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
James Langdon
Former Chairman, President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, The White House
Peter Lichtenbaum
Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration
Mary Beth Long
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
Clay Lowery
Former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs; former Director for International Finance, National Security Council, The White House
Robert McCallum
Former Associate Attorney General; former Ambassador to Australia
Former Director for North America, National Security Council, The White House
Andrew Natsios
Former Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development
Former Director of National Intelligence; former Deputy Secretary of State; former Deputy National Security Advisor
Meghan O'Sullivan
Former Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan
Former Deputy National Security Advisor
Tom Ridge
Former Secretary of Homeland Security; former Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, The White House; former Governor of Pennsylvania
Nicholas Rostow
Former Legal Adviser to the National Security Council, The White House
Former Director for Defense Strategy, National Security Council, The White House
Kristen Silverberg
Former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations
Stephen Slick
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Intelligence Programs, National Security Council, The White House
Shirin R. Tahir-Kheli
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations, National Security Council, The White House; former Ambassador and Senior Advisor for Women's Empowerment, Department of State
William H. Taft IV
Former Deputy Secretary of Defense; former Ambassador to NATO
Larry D. Thompson
Former Deputy Attorney General William Tobey Former Deputy Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy; former Director for CounterProliferation Strategy, National Security Council, The White House
John Veroneau
Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Kenneth Wainstein
Former Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, The White House; former Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Department of Justice
Matthew Waxman
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense; former Director for Contingency Planning and International Justice, National Security Council, The White House
Dov Zakheim
Former Under Secretary of Defense
Roger Zakheim
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
Robert Zoellick
Former U.S. Trade Representative; former Deputy Secretary of State
2016 Presidential Candidates, 2016 Strategic Landscape, Collective Security, Defense, Diplomacy, Donald Trump, Foreign Policy, Foreign Relations, Global Strategy, Grand strategy, International Politics, National Defense, National Security, National Security Strategy, Republicans, U.S. Foreign Policy, US Foreign Policy


Academics are often accused of staying in their ivory towers. People assume that intellectuals are so absorbed with their thoughts and theories that they are isolated from the real world. Even more, people assume that because intellectuals are often isolated from the real world, their thoughts and ideas don't really translate to the real world. This makes it easier to dismiss their ideas and suggestions.
But we should not be so dismissive. This picture of intellectuals is a crass caricature, and I think you'll find that many of the most powerful minds in history have not been separated from the real world. If you spend much time reading biographies of past intellectual giants, then you will find that they were deeply affected by events around them. They were not cut off from the world, but often lived in extraordinary times. In 20th century theology, this is true of Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, both of whom had to contend with evildoing and oppression of the Nazis.
I was reminded of this recently while readying George M. Marsden's excellent biography of Edwards, Jonathan Edwards: A Life. Edwards was frighteningly intelligent; he was one of the deepest and most innovative American philosophers and theologians ever. He was accused of being too disconnected, too intellectual, particularly during his ministry in Stockbridge, MA.
But as intelligent as he was, and as impractical as he could seem at times, Edwards' life experiences undoubtedly had an effect on him. If you are familiar with Edwards' theology, you might dislike his somewhat pessimistic view of humanity. But in addition to his reflections on what the Scriptures say about human fallenness, Edwards also experienced a lot of evil and wickedness in his time. I was in fact surprised to learn about the level of dysfunction among some of his relatives. Let me give you three examples.
If his grandmother's behavior wasn't bad enough for Puritan America, his grandmother's sister, Jonathan's great-aunt, was even worse. While his grandmother only threatened violence, his great-aunt carried out her violent threats. She murdered one of her own children.
Not only did his grandmother and great-aunt have serious problems, their brother, Jonathan's great-uncle, also had mental problems. He axed another one of his sisters to death.
"Jonathan Edwards is sometimes criticized for having too dim a view of human nature, but it may be helpful to be reminded that his grandmother was an incorrigible profligate, his great-aunt committed infanticide, and his great-uncle was an ax-murderer." George M. Marsden. Jonathan Edwards: A Life (Kindle Locations 390-391). Kindle Edition.
Edwards, as a theologian in the Reformed tradition, has a high view of God's sovereignty. But this wasn't held cheaply, nor was it ever put to the test. For Edwards witnessed a lot of suffering in his life, and he lived in a time of great uncertainty. He lost a cherished daughter to illness. But the uncertainty didn't only involve falling ill, but also to societal dangers. After all, the New England in which Edwards lived was tense, with the rivalries between the French, English, and Native Americans strong. I was struck by one incident that shaped Jonathan's early life.
Jonathan Edwards heard this story from the time he was little. Undoubtedly, it would have been formative in his thoughts and perceptions of humankind. Later in life, when he lived in Stockbridge, MA and worked in a mission to the Native Americans, there was a prolonged period of fear that the Native Americans might raid the town. And they heard plenty of horror stories from raids on nearby villages and farms to know how deadly these raids could be.
So Edwards detailed reflection on God's sovereignty and suffering wasn't conducted in a vacuum. He wasn't isolated from the world. What he experienced in the world — whether the sinfulness of humans or the suffering in the world — had to impact his thinking.
So don't dismiss the intellectuals and the thinkers. For many, their ideas and theories do not arise from being disconnected with the world. Rather, they often arise from a deep engagement with reality. Yes, they might read and ponder more than the average person, and that might pull them from all the bustle that others engage with. But couldn't this be a sign, not of a disengagement with the "real world," but a deeper-than-usual engagement with the world? So take seriously the ideas of the intellectuals, even if they seem too abstract. Chances are these reflections have been generated by deep thought on real-life experiences, experiences that you, too, might have, but perhaps haven't thought about it much.


With only a few days in London we wanted to tick off a few of the sites around the City as well as get some shopping in as with the current exchange rate Mrs bwhouse house was keen to purchase several things.
We happened to be in London while they are having a heat wave of sorts. N,ow while 32c days are nothing out of the ordinary for anyone who lives in Aus, what we quickly discovered is that there is no air conditioning in London - anywhere. The subway must have been a good 5c hotter than the ambient temp and was sweltering. Even most of the British museum wasn't air conditioned. Regardless, we had a great time, the history in London is just amazing. I loved walking around the city and seeing all the random tiny alleyways and arches connecting different streets.
In our short time we ticked off most of the main attractions, Tower of London, Southbank, The Palace, St James Park, Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the British Museum.
We stumbled across Southwark Cathedral, which was a great little find. I am guessing it isn't a usual tourist trap but has some fascinating history inside.
The British Museum, they had a pretty cool exhibition on the history of clocks. And as someone who loves and collects watches I found it fascinating. I felt the need to grab a classic British pub dinner along with a pint of ale - interestingly the best part of the meal was the gravy that came with the mash!
Walking through St James' Park on the way to Buckingham Palace Mrs bwhouse made friends with a little squirrel. After a quick stop at Buckingham Palace we made our way to Borough Markets, which is well worth checking out. Lots of little places to eat and sample food.


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