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Palo Alto Weekly
News - June 8, 2018
In wake of renaming, school board seeks to address discrimination
Former district parent tells board: 'Racism here is like the ocean'
by Elena Kadvany
Palo Alto school board members agreed Tuesday night with community members' pleas that they must face head on racism and discrimination that has reportedly occurred in the school district following the controversial renaming of two middle schools earlier this year.
Parents and others described a community sharply divided along racial lines, more overtly so after a proposal to rename a school after Fred Yamamoto, a Japanese-American Palo Altan who fought and died in World War II. The local Chinese immigrant community rallied against naming a public school after a man who shared a last name with unrelated Japanese admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and to whom local parents attribute WWII war crimes against the Chinese. (The board ultimately decided to rename the schools after other Palo Altans.)
On Tuesday, parents concerned about increasing racism talked about students openly denigrating students of Japanese descent in classrooms. Five district families who share the Yamamoto surname have reported feeling personally attacked by statements made during the renaming debate.
As a result, a group of current and past district parents drafted a resolution calling for the formation of a standing district committee that would review and potentially make recommendations on issues of inclusion, diversity and equity. The group includes Michelle Higgins, Rika Yamamoto, Eimi Okano (also one of the founders of nonprofit Asian Americans for Community Involvement), Satomi Okazaki and Kim Shimazaki. Steven Lee, who serves on the city's Human Relations Commission, also has been involved in the effort.
The resolution was signed by more than 150 supporters, including representatives from local and national civil-rights organizations. In a statement at the April 24 board meeting, the parents described a community "left with discord rather than harmony" and urged the board to not be "bystanders rather than upstanders in the face of behavior and attitudes that we would not tolerate if they occurred on our school campuses."
"The tone of our discourse must be elevated to a more constructive and civil discussion," the resolution stated. "We ask that the board not remain silent and call on our greater PAUSD community to actively embrace and model the American values of tolerance, compassion, empathy and inclusion."
As proposed, the standing committee would organize forums and evaluate district policies, practices and programs "as they relate to issues around human rights, diversity and inclusion and recommend changes as necessary." The committee would work with other relevant community organizations, including Asian Americans for Community Involvement, the Japanese American Citizens League and the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission.
Sally Horna, a legal fellow for the San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told the board that her organization is "concerned about the hostility that has emerged against (the) Japanese-American community in Palo Alto as a result of the school renaming process" and urged them to support the parents' resolution.
The board Tuesday unanimously directed staff to return with recommendations for actions the district can take to address racist behavior in a concrete way. They urged more specificity in the resolution, however, to give it teeth and to avoid overlap with district work already underway to address these issues.
"I support us taking a stand and saying, 'This is not who we are and this is not who we want to be,'" board member Terry Godfrey said.
Of 15 speakers, only one opposed the resolution. Parent and school board candidate Kathy Jordan urged the board to take a different course of action rather than "compound a wound" in the community. Some language in the parents' resolution could be considered "inflammatory," she said, in reference to a statement warning of the kind of thinking that led to the internment of Japanese-American citizens during World War II. It was an assertion board President Ken Dauber later echoed .
Debra Cen, co-founder of the Palo Alto Chinese Parents' Club, wrote in an email to the Weekly that she disagreed with what she called putting "political issue(s) into the school agenda."
"We hope the school board will concentrate on helping all students to succeed" rather than responding to "the most vocal group," she wrote.
For many in the room Tuesday night, racism is a deep-seated issue that goes beyond the renaming debate. Board member Melissa Baten Caswell referenced anti-semitic graffiti found in Palo Alto last year and anecdotes of African-American students who have experienced racism at school. Lars Johnsson, the parent who led the initial effort to rename Jordan and Terman middle schools, said underlying racism exists "at all levels" and affects "all different groups" in the district.
"This is not about Fred Yamamoto," Baten Caswell said. "This is about how do we get people to respect each other."
Rosemary McGuire, a longtime African-American Palo Alto resident and the parent of five graduates of the school district, said she wouldn't want her children to attend Palo Alto schools today.
"Racism here is like the ocean," she said. "We live in it."
She urged the board to not shy away from taking action on a thorny, difficult issue.
"You have a job to do," she said. "Do not shirk. It's OK to be uncomfortable."
Board members agreed that the board president and vice president would work on a revised resolution and expect staff to return with recommendations at the final board meeting of the school year on June 19.
In other business Tuesday, the board unanimously approved a 1 percent raise and 1 percent bonus for the district's non-represented management employees.
The board also appointed Anne Brown, the former principal of Barron Park Elementary School who has been leading the human-resources department on an interim basis this year, as the new chief academic officer of elementary education. The board approved a one-year contract for Brown, who will replace retiring Chief Academic Officer of Elementary Education Barbara Harris.
Eric Goddard, a former longtime Palo Alto Unified elementary school principal and administrator who served as the interim Barron Park principal this year, will become the school's next permanent principal.
This story contains 995 words.
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Staff Writer Elena Kadvany can be emailed at ekadvany@paweekly.com.
Posted by Terman- ator
a resident of Charleston Meadows
on Jun 6, 2018 at 11:31 am
I must admit I have a half-smile reading this .... resolutions, committees,board meetings, reviews, proposals.... the school board hoisted on it's own petard. I could see this coming a mile away. Have fun with the mess you created by going down the renaming path. Unfortunately this is only more time taken away from a focus on more important issues in our schools such as class room size and teacher retention.
Posted by PAUSD Parent
a resident of Community Center
on Jun 6, 2018 at 12:11 pm
These kinds of issues become a priority when one's own child becomes a target of racism or exclusion by those lacking empathy and compassion. If it doesn't, there's another issue altogether.
Posted by Thanks, SJWs
a resident of Professorville
on Jun 6, 2018 at 2:09 pm
This is the disgusting, if inevitable, result of the atomization of our nation into competing interest groups. The school board needs to take responsibility for their mistake, apologize to our neighbors of Japanese descent, and never do this again.
Posted by chris
a resident of University South
The school board should be recalled. This could have been easily avoided by giving schools generic geographic names.
Posted by stanhutchings
a resident of Old Palo Alto
stanhutchings is a registered user.
Told you so. But you insisted on renaming after people.
Posted by Old Person
a resident of Green Acres
The school board members are idiots! Two are up for election this vote - we need need more candidates!
Posted by Watch Out Racism!
Wow, a COMMITTEE- racism better watch out! Palo Alto is coming for you - and we've got a RESOLUTION and a STANDING COMMITTEE! 15 speakers came out to support it!? Wow, it's like an ARMY against evil. So glad the school board is "taking a stand" as Godfrey put it. Racism, you don't stand a chance.
Posted by Resident
So much good has come out of this renaming thing. It just keeps giving and giving.
We are all so "woke" now. Our kids are so lucky we are spending our time on this and not that stressful, boring academic stuff or reading the teacher contracts.
@ Watch out Racism
I assume your comments are tongue in cheek. Our school board is exhibit A of a group bowing to the vocal 2% at the expense of the rest of us. I want our school administrators focussed on "objective" education deliverables and preparing our kids for college. Leave the "subjective " social justice mumbo jumbo to me as a parent- thank you!
Posted by Hawaiian Bob
Posted by Former parent
We're descending into mumbo-jumbo.
Of course, decency and equality of opportunity are crucial here, as elsewhere in the U.S., as much as possible and leadership and administration do count bigtime for setting the tone.
But you can't legislate who are friends among chikdren, for example.
But I simply don't understand this actually divisive talk: what are the merits of it?
Endless racial divisiveness being promoted by the school board does no good at all and is arguably a distraction.
I am neutral on the Yamamoto name; how's that.....
@former parent.
" Endless racial divisiveness being promoted by the school board does no good at all and is arguably a distraction."
and helped along by the Palo Alto weekly, they've been partners in this from the beginning. Look at the subtitle of this article. Really?
Posted by Chill
a resident of Barron Park
Palo Alto is pretty messed up.
"The local Chinese immigrant community rallied against naming a public school after a man who shared a last name with unrelated... "
So is Palo Alto as a whole racist ? thus necessitating all this response, or
should the school board have simply stomped down the local Chinese Immigrant communities rally against a man with a similar name ? Personally I was appalled and opposed the The local Chinese immigrant communities blatant racism but was accused of racism myself for not being "sensitive" to their concerns. Can you be racist for not being "sensitive" to a group of racists ?
@ chill
yes we are all racists. Through unconscious bias training I've taken we are all either blatant racists or we don't know we are racists but we really are. So let's all of us racists give each other a big hug!
Posted by Rebecca White
a resident of Greenmeadow
Elena, I'm not sure if this is your quote or Melissa Baten Caswell's, but certainly as a journalist you could do more than suggest in your piece that there are "anecdotes of African-American students who have experienced racism at school."
If your editor didn't immediately ask you to start investigating those "anecdotes," then the Weekly has really lost it's integrity as a "newspaper."
Posted by Tim
We live in an ocean of racism in Palo Alto? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Posted by BringbackCompetenceCourtesy
It's too early to rename the schools!
Palo Alto is still practicing eugenics by the lack of support for minorities, low-income and refusing to actually acknowledge disabilities that might require INDEPENDENT education plans of special ed students.
The message is clear - there is never time for the promises of support, some teachers can't bothered to fulfill commitments they make to these kids. This audience isn't very important because we sue the pants off of them if they don't get the message and head out of town, then once we splay their personal information offered up by all the 'CARING' adults at school, I guess the kids have to leave town or head for the next train.
Your race stuff just window dressing, actions speak louder than words. If PAUSD really wasn't racist and elitist it would treat people better, and if the community weren't so passive or caught up in their own stuff, they wouldn't let others get abused. You just spent 1/2 million dollars attacking a family and no one cares. I'll bet you will renew the law firm that destroys children and didn't even think about what that child will do next? $100 bucks the child drops out of school.
Tragically funny how there is never follow-through on the supports we promise the HUR community, these things always seem to stall, we are too busy with weighted grades and renaming schools.
The truth is PAUSD really isn't serious about addressing the needs of HUR as long as the upper crust get their A+ for college. As a member of the HUR I can tell you I am treated like I am dirt. I am not listened to and so my needs are never understood.
But hey, if all AP classes were cancelled because no one got around to it - Wow, can you imagine the outrage?
Posted by Parent of Two
a resident of Fairmeadow
Palo Alto is sick. USA is too. Why?
A very bad part of the culture is labeling, especially calling out racism and sexism.
People are abusing these words. To me, racism is much worse than using C* word against Chinese and N* word against African American.
Please do not use these words just like chewing a gum. It's dangerous, divisive and annoying.
When you call other people racists, are you inclusive?
Posted by memyselfandI
a resident of Midtown
This is priceless. People who call out racism are now labelled racist. The idea of looking inward and exploring who we are based on anyone else's reality is something most people cannot fathom. As long as we fail at finding a way to do this no attempt to come together as a community will succeed, however many resolutions are passed.
Posted by Pat
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 9, 2018 at 7:17 am
Parent of Two: "Palo Alto is sick. USA is too. "
Not a very good message to pass on to the kids. The article is about a specific case in Palo Alto schools. Why does that cause you to dislike America ?
We are a very diverse community. Our culture is complicated. This proves it.
Renaming the schools caused all types of conflict which wasn't there before. We must learn from the past. No more renaming of something established and no more naming after people. Too many people take offense when offense isn't intended and too many people will see the downside of any decision.
This is now the culture of Palo Alto. We must learn to live together and understand that our culture is complicated, confusing, and there are those who will complain and take offense. None of that makes us racist. It should make us cosmopolitan.
@Pat
Simply do not like the culture of "labelling".
It does not mean I do not like USA. This is "critical thinking". Is that what kids need to learn?
Praising the city and country while calling others racists does not make us patriots.
@ Parent of Two : "Simply do not like the culture of "labelling". It does not mean I do not like USA. This is "critical thinking". Is that what kids need to learn Praising the city and country while calling others racists does not make us patriots."
I think you need to look up the definition of "critical thinking".
@Chill
Thanks for pushing me to revisit this.
Interesting. Here you go. Please let me know whether labeling culture matches any of the following definition. What's wrong with disliking this type of culture?
When people call out racism, did they follow the spirit of critical thinking?
Critical thinking is the objective analysis of facts to form a judgment.[1] The subject is complex, and several different definitions exist, which generally include the rational, skeptical, unbiased analysis, or evaluation of factual evidence. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposed assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command to their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism[2][3] and sociocentrism.
a resident of Charleston Gardens
@Chill - just casting aspersions doesn't do much to push the conversation forward. @Parent of two thinks people use the term racist too freely to describe people they disagree with (kind of like "fascist" but with more zing). There's little doubt that's true. Racist has become a term used to shut down conversations and de-legitimize others' positions - almost like a playground taunt at this point, now drawing the "I'm rubber, you're glue" comeback, where both sides accuse the other of "racism." To me, that's not how we make progress on community problems.
@Resident
Exactly. People often call out racism too easily just like saying hello. This is no good.
Not everybody realizes how serious it should be.
I'd never seen this quote from George Orwell on "fascism," written in 1944:
"The word 'Fascism' is almost entirely meaningless. In conversation, of course, it is used even more wildly than in print. I have heard it applied to farmers, shopkeepers, Social Credit, corporal punishment, fox-hunting, bull-fighting, the 1922 Committee, the 1941 Committee, Kipling, Gandhi, Chiang Kai-Shek, homosexuality, Priestley's broadcasts, Youth Hostels, astrology, women, dogs and I do not know what else.... Almost any English person would accept 'bully' as a synonym for 'Fascist'."
We can agree that fascism is bad; but if it is just a name to label your opponents, it's not much more than a tribal signal.
@Resident: George Orwell was an author - not a linguist.
@ Parent of Two : "Simply do not like the culture of "labelling". <- This is not "critical thinking".
@ Resident: "just casting aspersions doesn't do much to push the conversation forward."...."We can agree that fascism is bad; but if it is just a name to label your opponents, it's not much more than a tribal signal."
The article is about injustice done to Mr. Yamamoto and his family by a segment of the Palo Alto population (identified in the article as "The local Chinese immigrant community "). It was racist, ethnocentrist, and predjudice on the part of that group. I'm not sure why you are bringing up Fascism.
Thanks for showing me your critical thinking skill by freely adding racist, ethnocentrist, and prejudice. You have done great job here.
Good example of "mainstream" culture.
Other than that, I am speechless.
@Chill, I think most agree that Orwell had as much insight on the use (and particularly mis-use) of political language as anyone writing in the 20th century. Here's a description of his 1946 essay, "Politics and the English Language:"
The essay focuses on political language, which, according to Orwell, "is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." Orwell believed that the language used was necessarily vague or meaningless because it was intended to hide the truth rather than express it. This unclear prose was a "contagion" which had spread to those who did not intend to hide the truth, and it concealed a writer's thoughts from himself and others. Orwell encourages concreteness and clarity instead of vagueness, and individuality over political conformity.
I brought up the term "fascism" because, like "racism," it was so over and mis-applied to become meaningless, except as a taunt or pejorative. Your (and others) use of "racism" to cover the current case is an example.
Posted by Jagjit
a resident of JLS Middle School
on Jun 13, 2018 at 6:35 pm
By simply labelling one group of residents to racist to let opponents shut up, you did a great job.
Like this comment
Posted by Who wins ?
on Jun 14, 2018 at 9:16 am
But according to the article, the racists won. The city is now trying to restore some balance by attempting to mitigate the damage done by all the racism.
Posted by SallyAnnRudd
I was at Channing House with some kids from my daughter's school, the subject of the renaming came up (we were a group from Jordan) and one of the residents asked who was Henry Green, the person Jordan will be named after. I replied he was African-American and from Palo Alto. Then she asked me why they'd named the school after a janitor. Words fail.
Posted by Retired
Actually Greene, by all accounts a fine person, was not from Palo Alto and never lived here. His Palo Alto connections were tenuous - he had an office here for part of his career. Such are the politics of school naming.
Posted by send names to Texas
Maybe we can use some of these good names for the walmart in Texas where they're holding asylum-seeking kids in cages. Heck, they call three of the camps "tender age" camps. Clearly need a better name.
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On the Boulevard
Oh the irony…
In "Boulevard," the last movie Robin Williams appeared in before his death, his character was sad and lonely, even around the people who loved him. Nolan, portrayed by Robin, had lived his whole life as a lie. And in a split second, to satisfy his thirst for something tangible, something to make him feel alive again, he reached out, not to those close to him, but to a total stranger. It was a moment that he couldn't take back. And he didn't want to.
I won't go into detail, for those who haven't seen the movie yet. But as I sat in the movie theater on a Sunday afternoon, right here in Nashville where the movie was filmed, I actually found myself holding my breath several times, feeling Nolan's pain and sadness. Or was it Robin's?
Painting by Warren Louw –
http://warrenlouw.deviantart.com/art/Robin-Williams-Tribute-475139150
In the end, Nolan had the chance to start over, to finally be true to himself. Though as the movie ended, we don't know if he ended up being happy with his new life, or if he ended up lonely again, in a new city, still pretending to be someone he's not…
I can't help but wonder how making this movie may have impacted Robin's life, and whether the story line may have left him more depressed… enough to take his own life.
The many personas of Robin Williams were so much a part of the fabric of my life, making me laugh in my formative years with the sheer genius of "Mork and Mindy" and all his other antics on Saturday Night Live and late night talk shows, and making me think and feel deeply in later years with "Dead Poets Society," "Awakenings," "Good Will Hunting," and "What Dreams May Come."
If you haven't seen the latter, I highly recommend it. It totally changed the way I think about life, and death, and everything in between. It was, in my opinion, his greatest work. And coincidentally, the story line is about a man whose wife died by suicide. He loved his wife so deeply that when he later died in an accident, he went to hell, literally, to bring her back into the light.
It somehow brings me comfort to imagine someone on the other side, who loved Robin deeply, making that same journey to bring him back into the light…
No matter our beliefs, we have to hold on to something. And I'm holding on to that image of Robin smiling again. It's the only thing that keeps me from grieving over losing him, all over again.
Life and living. Death and dying.
It goes on, down the Boulevard.
And we just do the best we can, trying to stay between the lines…
"Sober, tender and reassuringly unsentimental…As Robin Williams' final film, it tolls a wonderful bell for the legacy of a distinguished career." – Rex Reed, New York Observer
"Uncommonly compassionate, candid and courageous." – Prairie Miller, WBAI Radio
"…one of the best performances of his career." – Alfonso Espina, ScreenPicks.com
"…this is one of the kindest characters Williams has ever played, which makes his self-imposed turmoil — the consequence of not wanting to hurt anyone, least of all his wife — all the more tragic. Tapping into that same loneliness felt in "One Hour Photo" and "Good Will Hunting," the actor projects a regret so deep and identifiable, viewers should have no trouble connecting it to whatever is missing in their own lives — whether those regrets are romantic, sexual, professional or spiritual." – Peter Debruge, Variety
http://www.belcourt.org/events/boulevard.1676418
| Tagged Alfonso Espina, Awakenings, Belcourt Theatre, Boulevard, Dead Poets Society, Death and Dying, Good Will Hunting, Life and Living, Mork and Mindy, Nashville, New York Observer, Nolan Mack, Peter Debruge, Prairie Miller, Rex Reed, Robin Williams, Saturday Night Live, ScreenPicks.com, Variety, Warren Louw, WBAI Radio, What Dreams May Come | Leave a comment
November 10, 2014 by solitarylogic
Nashville loses an icon
The news hit me hard yesterday… not because I knew him personally, but because of who he was, and how he died…
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2014/11/09/opryland-hotel-figure-jack-vaughn-dies/18778475/
Two words are synonymous with Nashville tourism – Jack Vaughn.
Those of us who live here tend to get complacent, and immune to the fact that people from all over the world come to Nashville – for the music, for the food, for the shopping, for the entire experience. That experience is what Jack Vaughn imagined, back in the days when the Opryland property was only a tract of dirt. A visionary, a good business man, a kind and compassionate person, he literally changed the face of Nashville.
I worked for Gaylord Entertainment, the parent company of the Opryland hotel, and though our department served all of the Gaylord companies, I never had a personal encounter with Mr. Vaughn. But in all my years there, I never heard one person utter a harsh word about him. How could they? He treated EVERY employee, from the housekeepers to the board members, with the respect they deserved. He called employees by their name, and when he had time, would engage them in conversations.
When I worked there, there was a strong sense of family. I believe that part of that feeling came from the CEO, Bud Wendell. I actually had several interesting, personal conversations with Bud, and his warmth carried over to the entire company. He and Mr. Vaughn created an atmosphere of kindness and caring. Things have certainly changed at the company in recent years, but as anyone who worked there back in the day will tell you, when Mr. Vaughn was in charge, it was a great place to work.
I can't begin to comprehend what Mr. Vaughn's family is going through, and the immense loss they must feel. The days ahead will be difficult, for them and for all those who loved him.
If there's a lesson in all this, it's that we never know what someone is going through. Like Robin Williams, we can assume that someone's life is going well, but unless we're in the trenches with them, we can't know how much they hurt…
To honor Mr. Vaughn, let's try to be more kind and compassionate towards one another. We don't know the burdens someone carries, and maybe a smile, or a kind word or gesture can make that burden a little lighter, if only for a moment…
Mr. Vaughn had big ideas, and he dreamed big. When you look around our fair city, think of him, and his family. We are who we are because of him.
Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. Your legacy lives on….
| Tagged Bud Wendell, dream big, EG Kight, Gaylord, Jack Vaughn, Mr. Vaughn, music, Nashville, Opryland, respect, Robin Williams, tourism | 1 Comment

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The Purple Rain legend passed away at his Paisley Park studios in Minnesota on Thursday (21Apr16), but multiple sources reveal to TMZ.com the singer never left instructions about how he wanted his fortune to be divided after his death.
Insiders claim Prince was advised to consider laying out his final wishes in the event of his demise by various professionals, but he was not interested in drafting a will.
As a result, his six brothers and sisters look set to benefit from the music icon's huge wealth, as Minnesota law dictates a person's closest living relatives will equally share in the estate in the event a resident dies without a will.
According to TMZ, Prince and his sister Tyka Nelson shared six half-siblings, but two are deceased. However, any children the late siblings may have had would also be entitled to their parents' share of the estate, which is claimed to be worth less than $150 million (£104 million).
Sources tell the website Prince struggled with some financial issues in his later years, allegedly spending more than he made, as he always refused to cash in on the rights to his music catalogue.
Initial reports had estimated his fortune to be worth a staggering $300 million (£207 million).
Representatives for Prince and his relatives have yet to comment on the reports about his lack of a will.
The singer's passing occurred a week after he suffered a mid-air medical emergency, prompting the pilot of his private jet to make an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois so he could be briefly hospitalised while en route home from a gig in Georgia. At the time, his publicist blamed the health scare on a nasty case of the flu, but reports suggest he had actually been treated for an overdose of painkiller Percocet, which he had been taking for hip issues.
An autopsy to determine to his cause of death was completed on Friday (22Apr16), but the results are pending further tests.


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Home MMA News Bellator Bellator releases Matt Riddle following second fight withdrawal
Bellator releases Matt Riddle following second fight withdrawal
Matt Riddle (7-3 MMA) is once again a free agent, as Bellator officials recently announced that the welterweight fighter has been released by the promotion.
Riddle was expected to face Nathan Coy on the main card of Bellator 109, which goes down this weekend in Matt's home state of Pennsylvania. However, due to reasons not yet public, Riddle has decided to withdraw from the scheduled welterweight bout.
In March, Riddle signed a multi-fight deal with the Texas-based MMA promotion 'Legacy FC', this after his UFC run was ended by a pair of failed drug tests for marijuana. Then, Bellator MMA picked up Riddle's contract, in order to have him compete in their season 9 welterweight tournament.
Riddle was expected to make his Bellator MMA debut in September, but was forced to pull out of that fight due to a cracked rib.
Then things really got interesting. As shortly after he revealed his injury, Matt Riddle announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, citing several issues he had with both the UFC and Bellator.
The retirement proved to be short-lived, as a month later, Riddle announced that he was back and would be fighting at Bellator 109 in his home state of Pennsylvania.
Now, following his second fight withdrawal, Riddle has subsequently been cut.
Bellator released the following official statement regarding Riddle's release:
"Matt was a guy we had high hopes for coming into Bellator," said Bellator Director of Communications Anthony Mazzuca. "After Matt suffered his rib injury and withdrew from our tournament, we went back to the drawing board and got Matt another fight on November 22nd.
"Unfortunately, Matt very recently informed us he would not be fighting on November 22nd from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and at that point we decided to release Matt from Bellator. We wish him the best in his future endeavors."
The 27 year-old, Matt Riddle, has not competed since February of 2013. He boasts a professional record of 7-3 with two no contests (both due to testing positive for marijuana), all of which occurred under the Zuffa banner.


Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2016 filled with much love, happiness, good health and success in all you projects!
This is always the perfect occasion to say thank you for your support and the private messages you have sent me. I truly appreciate it and feel terrible because of my lack of communication with you all. I'm just starting to get into more of a routine with my little one and hope to be back to more regular blogging in the new year.
The least that I can say is that it has been a very busy year in our household. We moved to a new home and had a baby. We also had a wonderful three months visit from my parents and I travelled with our little one for a five weeks trip to Canada. Finally, my short story, The Artist, was published in the anthology Sweet and Spicy – A celebration of romance. With these circumstances, blogging took the back burner. But, I have collected many stories and look forward to share them with you.
Enjoy this special time with your loved ones and see you soon!
If you enjoyed reading my post, you can subscribe by email and receive all my new posts in your inbox. You can also like my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, on Instagram and Bloglovin.
Please, leave me a comment. Let me know what you think of my post or any opinion you would like to share. Even though I don't answer all the comments, I read them all and I love them.
Well, I'm back from Canada and my trip went very well. Baby girl was amazing on the plane and the trip was wonderful if we put aside the first week because Florence was on the jet lag. But, she quickly adjusted and we were able to enjoy our time with family and friends.
Sweet and Spicy, the Silver Anniversary Anthology that includes 18 short romance stories written by current members of The Melbourne Romance Writers Guild is now available for purchase!
This anthology includes my short story, The Artist. It's only about 800 words but, it's the first short story I have ever written so I'm excited and proud that it's finally published. Here's an excerpt.
– Rita H. Azar, The Artist, published in Sweet and Spicy: A Celebration of Romance by Melbourne Romance Writers Guild.
If you decide to purchase and read Sweet and Spicy, I would love to hear from you. Thank you for your support!


Year 3 of my Photo of the Week project ends with Ben's ball hockey team coming in 2nd place! WTG Orange!! The final game of the weekend was a great game to watch. Both goalies made some really great stops.
Ben was disappointed that they lost to their 'arch rivals' the White team, but he didn't have anything to be disappointed about. Everyone on his team played really well.
This summer we decided to sign up for the Harvest Share Box program offered through one of the local farms in our area. Last week was our first box! It was exciting to see what we were going to get in it.
The program coordinator emails us the day before with a list of what's going to be in the box as well as some suggestions and recipes for cooking it all up. We signed up for the personal size box, which they say feeds approximately 2-3 people.
We've used up pretty much everything. :) Here are some pictures of what we received.
I can't believe that there's only one more week to go and year 3 of my Photo of the Week project will be finished!!
I had the pleasure of meeting Judy at our Tottenham WINGS & HEROS meeting back in April, and in May I had the opportunity to take professional headshot portraits for her at my home studio. Judy is a Lia Sophia Star Unit Leader.
"I have been working, part time, in the Direct Selling Business for over 23 years. At this point in my life I would love to share my knowledge and experience. My goal is to work with women to develop the ultimate business which will empower them to obtain not only personal growth but also financial freedom.
The last 3 years I have been with Lia Sophia, a company which provides the most welcoming and fostering environment to guide you on a productive and fun journey.
Help me to help you create the perfect path for you.
Please visit my web site www.liasophia.ca/sites/accessorizeme or contact me by email or phone.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK #50 - Only about an inch to go!!
This is another picture from my phone camera. Even though it's technically not a great photo, it does mean a lot to me.
Every time we go to Wonderland, Ben runs to the measuring station to get measured and get his height wrist band. He wants to be 54" sooooooo bad. And since the beginning of the season, he's actually grown almost an inch already! I think he's really willing himself to grow. My guess is that he's going to get on the Behemoth and Leviathan before this Wonderland season is over!
The Tottenham WINGS and HEROS chapter have our monthly meeting on the 4th Monday of the month. For May, the meeting was held on May 28th at Cedar Kitchen Restaurant in Tottenham.
I got everyone 'lined up' and then had one of the women from Cedar Kitchen take the photo for us so we could all be in it.
Standing: Wayne Irwin, Diane McGee (Founder of WINGS & HEROS), Macy Wang, Tammy Birtley, Judy Irvine, Diane Sawyer, Rosie Hegarty.
It was great to see both familiar and new faces at the meeting.


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As a member of VIP VA, you not only showcase a comprehensive profile on our private members directory for potential client matching, but also have the opportunity to use our exclusive Facebook forum for building your own VA teams, networking, sharing knowledge and experiences and tapping into each others niche skillsets. We also have a private messaging facility with the directory for you to continue to nurture your relationships outside of the forum.


text:
ViDrate Starter Packs
Vidrate Bottles
Why ViDrate
Is ViDrate for you?
Reduce Plastic Waste
Currency "Close Basket"
Water is great but doesn't always quench your thirst, ViDrate helps with the flavour and comes with more goodness which your body needs!
ViDrate replenishes electrolytes & minerals used during the day, especially after exercise. Even after a normal '9-5' working day in the office your body still needs to recover. ViDrate comes with added vitamins & contains no artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners (sweetened naturally with stevia) & is suitable for vegans & vegetarians and is gluten free.
What ingredients are in ViDrate?
Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Natural Flavouring, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Natural Sweetener (Steviol Glycosides), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Natural Colouring, Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12).
Maltodextrin, Natural Flavouring, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Natural Colouring (Beetroot Extract), Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Natural Sweetener (Steviol Glycosides), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12).
Tropical Nutritional Information (per sachet)
Energy Calories 14.11, Kjoules 59.03, Protein 0.01g, Fat 0g, Saturates 0g, Carbohydrate 3.35g, Sugars 0.22g, Fibre 0g, Salt 0.1g, Chloride 107mg, Potassium 51mg, Sodium 38mg, Vitamin C 25mg, Vitamin B12 625µg.
Mixed Berry Nutritional Information (Per sachet)
Energy Calories 13.58, Kjoules 56.77, Protein 0.01g, Fat 0g, Saturates 0g, Carbohydrate 3.2g, Sugars 0.2g, Fibre 0.02g, Salt 0.1g, Chloride 107mg, Potassium 51mg, Sodium 38mg, Vitamin C 25mg, Vitamin B12 625µg.
Now for the more "geeky" bit behind ViDrate for those that are interested...
Both muscle tissue and neurons are considered electric tissues of the body. Muscles and neurons are activated by electrolyte activity between the extracellular fluid or interstitial fluid, and intracellular fluid. Electrolytes may enter or leave the cell membrane through specialized protein structures embedded in the plasma membrane called "ion channels". For example, muscle contraction is dependent upon the presence of calcium (Ca2+), sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+). Without sufficient levels of these key electrolytes, muscle weakness or severe muscle contractions may occur.
Electrolyte balance is maintained by oral, or in emergencies, intravenous (IV) intake of electrolyte-containing substances, and is regulated by hormones, in general with the kidneys flushing out excess levels. In humans, electrolyte homeostasis is regulated by hormones such as antidiuretic hormones, aldosterone and parathyroid hormones. Serious electrolyte disturbances, such as dehydration and over hydration, may lead to cardiac and neurological complications and, unless they are rapidly resolved, will result in a medical emergency.
You can drink TOO MUCH water alone (this can dilute and 'flush out' electrolytes). NOT ENOUGH water (dehydration) has a similar effect (flushing out the electrolytes).
"In addition to keeping fluid levels in your body balanced, electrolytes create electrical impulses that enable cells to send messages back and forth between themselves, so you can think, see, move, and perform all the bioelectrical functions that you take for granted."
Contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system, and psychological function whilst reducing tiredness and fatigue.
B12 also contributed to normal energy yielding metabolism (Energy-yielding metabolism is needed for all functions and activities of the body, including physical activity and exercise.)
Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system & normal energy yielding metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. It also supports normal collagen formation for the function of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, gums, teeth and skin as well as the normal functioning of the nervous system & normal psychological function.
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text:
Coen brothers' TV ad ridicules 'clean coal'
Academy Award winners Joel and Ethan Coen, known for their grimly comic portrayals of human nature, are poking fun at a new target: the coal industry.
The filmmaking brothers have directed a TV spot for an environmental coalition that's trying to demolish the notion that there's anything clean about so-called clean coal.
Launched Thursday, the ad follows a grinning, lacquer-haired pitchman whose can of "clean coal" air freshener sends a suburban family into coughing spasms when they spray a grimy cloud of it inside their spotless home.
The ad ends with a tag line: "In reality, there's no such thing as clean coal."
The spot is the latest salvo in the media battle between the coal industry and environmentalists over the role that carbon fuels should play in the United States' energy future.
The Obama administration has signaled its intention to move the nation toward clean, homegrown energy sources in an effort to boost energy security and fight global warming.
The nation's coal industry has gone on the offensive to persuade Americans that coal is part of the solution, not part of the problem. It has formed a trade group known as the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, spending $18 million so far on television spots touting coal's abundance and the efforts being made to clean up this fuel, a major emitter of the greenhouse gases that are changing the Earth's climate.
"Meeting America's growing energy demand . . . is going to require the use of all energy technologies," said Joe Lucas, spokesman for the coalition. "Technology has made coal a cleaner energy option."
Lucas said the industry had spent more than $50 billion since the 1970s installing pollution-control equipment and designing plants that are more efficient. The industry is working on the next wave of innovation, he said, including carbon sequestration to capture carbon dioxide emissions and prevent their release.
The trouble, environmentalists say, is that the coal industry's marketing campaign has left Americans with the impression that such "clean coal" technology already exists. Such a breakthrough has yet to be developed and may never be at a cost that makes economic sense, said Bruce Nilles, national coal campaign director for the Sierra Club.
His nonprofit and four others -- the Alliance for Climate Protection, the League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Wildlife Federation -- formed their own group last year to counter the coal industry's message. Known as the Reality Coalition, it has launched three TV spots since December mocking the notion of "clean coal."
Coalition spokesman Brian Hardwick said the sardonic script proposed by the group's advertising agency hooked the Coen brothers, who won 2007 Oscars for producing, directing and adapting "No Country for Old Men" and a 1996 Oscar for writing "Fargo."
"They thought it was their style," he said.
In a statement, the Coens said: "We were excited to be part of this important project and tell another side of the 'clean' coal story."
The spot is running on CNN, MSNBC, Comedy Central and can be viewed at www.thisisreality.org.
The ad is humorous, but the stakes are serious.
Coal is the bedrock of U.S. electricity generation. About half of the nation's power is supplied by 600 coal-burning plants. The fuel is reliable, cheap and plentiful. The U.S. possesses about one-quarter of the planet's coal reserves.
But some scientists say that weaning the world off coal is crucial to slowing the devastating effects of climate change.
marla.dickerson@latimes.com


Two four-year terms on the Globe Unified School District Board are up for grabs in Tuesday's election.
Information on each candidate was obtained from the Gila County Superintendent of Schools website.
Candidates Lisa Brown-Quintero, Frankie DalMolin, Frank Grice, Roberta Hunter-Patten and David Kell submitted candidate statements, which are on the website.
Candidate Robert Howard did not submit a candidate statement, according to officials with the county superintendent's office.
Contacted last week, Globe school district officials told the Silver Belt they do not have a candidate statement from Howard, either.
Brown-Quintero is the mother of six children, three of whom are currently enrolled in the district.
She believes in "the value of public education," and in "creating a safe learning environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed; that has a rich curriculum with diverse electives, advanced placement, career-technical, and vocational courses," she said.
Brown-Quintero lists her occupation(s) as parent, supply chain management director, community volunteer and adult educator.
Her education and qualifications include a Master's in Business Administration; Certified Professional in Supply Management; Adult Education Teacher Certificate and Boy Scouts of America Troop 5883 Committee Chair, she said.
"I support a fully-funded education, and will help play a vital role in keeping our local schools on track, always with the students' best interests in mind," she said.
Running as an incumbent, DalMolin has been on the school board since June 2008, is currently serving as its president, and has served as its clerk and as a board member.
DalMolin is a third-generation alumnus in the district, and has served on the Legislative Committee, Nominating Committee and has also been the Gila County Director on the Executive Board for the Arizona School Boards Association.
He believes in local control of the district, he said.
"I am a champion for every student and believe that they all deserve a fair chance, a helping hand, an exceptional education and the best we have to offer," DalMolin said.
He believes students need both athletics and the arts to be well rounded and describes himself as an advocate for the staff – "dedicated to treating them fairly and honestly," he said.
DalMolin said he is aware of how district spending affects the citizens.
A lifelong resident of Gila County, both Grice and his two children have attended Globe schools since elementary school. His children currently attend Globe High School.
"I bring with me the concern as a parent and the passion as a public servant who wants to make a difference," he said.
For more than 22 years, Grice has been an active parent and volunteer in the community, "playing various roles in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 518; Copper Cities Youth Sports Organization, Pinal Mountain Little League Board, and as a coach volunteer for many sports," he said.
He sees his role as a school board member will be to "review and vote on the direction the district will go to overcome these challenges.
After graduating from Northern Arizona University in 1977, Hunter-Patten began teaching at the San Carlos Elementary School. She holds a master's degree from the University of Texas, El Paso.
"My years as an educator has always led me to work with diverse populations in the unique world of enabling education to prosper in the lives of students and parents," Hunter-Patten said.
Also running as an incumbent, Hunter-Patten has served on the Globe school board for the past four years.
In an effort to maintain excellence in the school district, a school board member must be "open minded and, at the same time, abide by the policies set forth by the district," Hunter-Patten said.
Decisions made must "take into consideration the entire team of the school district," she said.
Hunter-Patten listed "academics, extra-curricular activities, opportunities enabling students to exceed high school curricula, and social issues" as school district priorities.
Kell has lived in the Globe-Miami area most of his life, attending Globe schools from third grade until his junior year in high school, which helped him prepare for his future, he said.
As a new substitute teacher in the district, what Kell found was "quite different" from what he remembered as a student, he said.
"We no longer challenge our students, we no longer support our amazing teachers, and we no longer support our schools to make them the greatest schools that they can be," Kell said.
"While they are all honorable people and have done what they see as the best for our district, it is time for a change in the leadership for our district," he said.
The school board needs to ensure it is allocating the budget "in a way that best benefits our students, teachers, administrators and the public-at-large;" and that "our curriculum is both acceptable by state standards but also challenging for our students," Kell said.
Globe school board meetings are held at 6 p.m., on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, in the Mofford Activity Center, 453 E. Maple St. (at the corner of Maple and Devereaux).
For further election information, go to www.gilacountyaz.gov.


text:
package net.sandius.rembulan.util;

import java.util.AbstractCollection;
import java.util.AbstractSet;
import java.util.Collection;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.Iterator;
import java.util.Map;
import java.util.NoSuchElementException;
import java.util.Objects;
import java.util.Set;

/**
 * A hashmap similar in functionality to {@link java.util.LinkedHashMap}, with the additional
 * accessor methods for successor and predecessor keys.
 *
 *
To get the keys following and preceding {@code k} in the map, use
 * {@link #getSuccessorOf(Object)} and {@link #getPredecessorOf(Object)}, respectively.
 * In order to access the first and last keys in the traversal orders, use {@link #getFirstKey()}
 * and {@link #getLastKey()}.

 *
 * @param <K>  key type
 * @param <V>  value type
 */
public class TraversableHashMap<K, V> implements Map<K, V> {

	private final HashMap<K, Entry<K, V>> entries;
	private K firstKey;
	private K lastKey;

	private final Set<K> keySet;
	private final Collection<V> values;
	private final Set<Map.Entry<K, V>> entrySet;

	/**
	 * Constructs a new empty map.
	 */
	public TraversableHashMap() {
		this.entries = new HashMap<>();
		this.firstKey = null;
		this.lastKey = null;

		this.keySet = new KeySet();
		this.values = new Values();
		this.entrySet = new EntrySet();
	}

	static class Entry<K, V> {

		private V value;  // must not be null
		private K prevKey;  // may be null
		private K nextKey;  // may be null

		public Entry(V value, K prevKey, K nextKey) {
			this.value = Objects.requireNonNull(value);
			this.prevKey = prevKey;
			this.nextKey = nextKey;
		}

		public V getValue() {
			return value;
		}

		public V setValue(V newValue) {
			V oldValue = value;
			this.value = Objects.requireNonNull(newValue);
			return oldValue;
		}

		public K getPreviousKey() {
			return prevKey;
		}

		public void setPreviousKey(K key) {
			this.prevKey = key;
		}

		public K getNextKey() {
			return nextKey;
		}

		public void setNextKey(K key) {
			this.nextKey = key;
		}

	}

	@Override
	public int size() {
		return entries.size();
	}

	@Override
	public boolean isEmpty() {
		return entries.isEmpty();
	}

	@Override
	public boolean containsKey(Object key) {
		return entries.containsKey(key);
	}

	@Override
	public boolean containsValue(Object value) {
		if (value == null) {
			return false;
		}

		for (Entry<K, V> e : entries.values()) {
			if (value.equals(e.getValue())) return true;
		}

		return false;
	}

	@Override
	public V get(Object key) {
		Entry<K, V> e = entries.get(key);
		return e != null ? e.getValue() : null;
	}

	@Override
	public V put(K key, V value) {
		Objects.requireNonNull(key, "key is null");
		Objects.requireNonNull(value, "value is null");

		Entry<K, V> e = entries.get(key);

		if (e == null) {
			// insert key at the end
			entries.put(key, new Entry<>(value, lastKey, null));

			// update the last entry
			if (lastKey != null) {
				entries.get(lastKey).setNextKey(key);
			}
			lastKey = key;

			// was this the first key?
			if (firstKey == null) {
				firstKey = key;
			}

			return null;
		}
		else {
			// update value: does not influence iteration order
			return e.setValue(value);
		}
	}

	@Override
	public V remove(Object key) {
		Objects.requireNonNull(key, "key is null");

		// remove key
		Entry<K, V> e = entries.remove(key);

		if (e != null) {

			K prevKey = e.getPreviousKey();
			K nextKey = e.getNextKey();

			if (prevKey != null) {
				entries.get(prevKey).setNextKey(nextKey);
			}
			else {
				// this was the first entry
				firstKey = nextKey;
			}

			if (nextKey != null) {
				entries.get(nextKey).setPreviousKey(prevKey);
			}
			else {
				// this was the last entry
				lastKey = prevKey;
			}

			return e.getValue();
		}
		else {
			return null;
		}
	}

	@Override
	public void putAll(Map<? extends K, ? extends V> m) {
		for (Map.Entry<? extends K, ? extends V> e : m.entrySet()) {
			this.put(e.getKey(), e.getValue());
		}
	}

	@Override
	public void clear() {
		entries.clear();
		firstKey = null;
		lastKey = null;
	}

	/**
	 * Returns the first key in the traversal order.
	 *
	 * @return  the first key, or {@code null} if the map is empty
	 */
	public K getFirstKey() {
		return firstKey;
	}

	/**
	 * Returns the last key in the traversal order.
	 *
	 * @return  the last key, or {@code null} if the map is empty
	 */
	public K getLastKey() {
		return lastKey;
	}

	/**
	 * Returns the key following {@code key} in the traversal order, or {@code null} if
	 * {@code key} is the last key in the traversal order.
	 *
	 * @param key  the key to find the successor of, must not be {@code null}
	 * @return  the key following {@code key}, or {@code null} if {@code key} is the last key
	 *
	 * @throws NullPointerException  if {@code key} is {@code null}
	 * @throws NoSuchElementException  if the map does not associate any value to {@code key}
	 */
	public K getSuccessorOf(K key) {
		Objects.requireNonNull(key);
		Entry<K, V> e = entries.get(key);
		if (e == null) {
			throw new NoSuchElementException(key.toString());
		}
		return e.getNextKey();
	}

	/**
	 * Returns the key preceding {@code key} in the traversal order, or {@code null} if
	 * {@code key} is the first key in the traversal order.
	 *
	 * @param key  the key to find the predecessor of, must not be {@code null}
	 * @return  the key preceding {@code key}, or {@code null} if {@code key} is the last key
	 *
	 * @throws NullPointerException  if {@code key} is {@code null}
	 * @throws NoSuchElementException  if the map does not associate any value to {@code key}
	 */
	public K getPredecessorOf(K key) {
		Objects.requireNonNull(key);
		Entry<K, V> e = entries.get(key);
		if (e == null) {
			throw new NoSuchElementException(key.toString());
		}
		return e.getPreviousKey();
	}

	private abstract class AbstractEntryIterator<T> implements Iterator<T> {

		private K key;
		private boolean nextCalled;

		AbstractEntryIterator() {
			this.key = firstKey;
			this.nextCalled = false;
		}

		@Override
		public boolean hasNext() {
			return key != null;
		}

		protected abstract T get(K k, Entry<K, V> v);

		@Override
		public T next() {
			K k = key;
			Entry<K, V> e = entries.get(k);
			if (e == null) {
				throw new NoSuchElementException(Objects.toString(key));
			}

			nextCalled = true;
			key = e.getNextKey();
			return get(k, e);
		}

		@Override
		public void remove() {
			Entry<K, V> e = entries.remove(key);
			if (!nextCalled) {
				throw new IllegalStateException();
			}
			nextCalled = false;
		}

	}

	private class KeyIterator extends AbstractEntryIterator<K> {

		@Override
		protected K get(K k, Entry<K, V> v) {
			return k;
		}

	}

	private class KeySet extends AbstractSet<K> {

		@Override
		public Iterator<K> iterator() {
			return new KeyIterator();
		}

		@Override
		public int size() {
			return TraversableHashMap.this.size();
		}

		@Override
		public void clear() {
			TraversableHashMap.this.clear();
		}
	}

	@Override
	public Set<K> keySet() {
		return keySet;
	}

	private class ValueIterator extends AbstractEntryIterator<V> {

		@Override
		protected V get(K k, Entry<K, V> v) {
			return v.getValue();
		}

	}

	private class Values extends AbstractCollection<V> {

		@Override
		public Iterator<V> iterator() {
			return new ValueIterator();
		}

		@Override
		public int size() {
			return TraversableHashMap.this.size();
		}

		@Override
		public void clear() {
			TraversableHashMap.this.clear();
		}

	}

	@Override
	public Collection<V> values() {
		return values;
	}

	private static class MapEntryAdapter<K, V> implements Map.Entry<K, V> {

		private final K key;
		private final Entry<K, V> entry;

		MapEntryAdapter(K key, Entry<K, V> entry) {
			this.key = Objects.requireNonNull(key);
			this.entry = Objects.requireNonNull(entry);
		}

		@Override
		public K getKey() {
			return key;
		}

		@Override
		public V getValue() {
			return entry.getValue();
		}

		@Override
		public V setValue(V value) {
			return entry.setValue(value);
		}

		@Override
		public boolean equals(Object o) {
			if (!(o instanceof Map.Entry)) {
				return false;
			}
			Map.Entry<?, ?> that = (Map.Entry<?, ?>) o;
			Object thatKey = that.getKey();
			Object thatValue = that.getValue();

			return !(thatKey == null || thatValue == null)
					&& (key.equals(thatKey) && entry.getValue().equals(thatValue));
		}

		@Override
		public int hashCode() {
			return Objects.hashCode(key) ^ Objects.hashCode(entry.getValue());
		}
	}

	private class MapEntryIterator extends AbstractEntryIterator<Map.Entry<K, V>> {

		@Override
		protected Map.Entry<K, V> get(K k, Entry<K, V> v) {
			return new MapEntryAdapter<>(k, v);
		}

	}

	private class EntrySet extends AbstractSet<Map.Entry<K, V>> {

		@Override
		public Iterator<Map.Entry<K, V>> iterator() {
			return new MapEntryIterator();
		}

		@Override
		public int size() {
			return TraversableHashMap.this.size();
		}

		@Override
		public void clear() {
			TraversableHashMap.this.clear();
		}

	}

	@Override
	public Set<Map.Entry<K, V>> entrySet() {
		return entrySet;
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


While BP has taken some heat over its spill in the Gulf, it is remarkable how limited the anger actually is. Many defenders of the company have made the obvious point: It was an accident. BP did not intend to have a massive spill that killed 11 people, devastated the Gulf ecosystem and threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.
Of course this is true, but it is also true that a drunk driver who runs into a school bus did not intend to be involved in a fatal collision. As a society, we have no problem holding the drunk driver responsible for a predictable outcome of their recklessness. Driving while drunk dramatically increases the risk of an accident. This is why it is punished severely. A person who is responsible for a fatal accident while driving drunk can expect to face many years in jail. Even someone who drives drunk without being in an accident often faces jail time because of the risk they imposed on others.
This raises the question as to why the public seems to accept that the top officials at BP, who cut corners and made risky gambles in their drilling plans, should be able to "get my life back," as BP CEO Tony Hayward put it. The people who lost their livelihood as a result of BP's spill will not get their lives back, even if BP does pay compensation. Certainly the 11 workers killed in the original explosion will not get their lives back. Why should the people responsible for this carnage be able to resume their lives of luxury?
There are two separate questions. The first is a narrow legal issue concerning the extent to which Hayward and other high-level executives can be held criminally liable for the accident. It may be the case that the laws are written so that even if companies commit gross negligence that results in enormous harm, including multiple deaths, top officials are not criminally liable. This is a question about the status of current law.


Flat Waxed Nylon Split Reins -1/2"
1/2" x 8' Flat Waxed Nylon Split Reins are made from hollow braid, lightly waxed nylon rope. These reins work well for one hand reining where the rider needs a narrower rein to fit between the fingers. Burgundy leather water tie ends and 1/2" slit braid popper.


Notions - Little House - Japanese Sashiko Brass Plate Palm Thimble - is currently on backorder. You may still purchase now though and we'll ship as soon as more become available.
From Little House of Japan, an adjustable metal ring thimble with a protective plate to use for basting, long running stitches and sashiko. The thimble is worn at the base of the middle finger with the plate resting against the palm.


text:
Stephanie Abrams Weather Channel — SUCKS! Hurricane Irene Is Over-Hyped.
Home → Across America → Stephanie Abrams Weather Channel — SUCKS! Hurricane Irene Is Over-Hyped.
The world of weather forecasting now has an officially sickening on-air spokes person and her name is Stephanie Abrams. This wide-hipped, loud-mouth, Casey Anthony boobed, dope has planted herself next to Al Roker and has made watching the Weather Channel's coverage of Hurricane Irene virtually unwatchable.
It's bad enough that she is standing next to America's most famous melted Hershey bar and severely imploded campfire-Smore-weatherman, Al Roker, but she is so frigging obnoxious that I am wishing that the hurricane sweeps her out to sea. She should not be doing the weather — especially this fake hurricane story. Yeah — it's a fake hurricane story — it's a frigging storm and they are trying to make it a story — it's a frigging bad storm, you giggling asshole.
We have more pics of Stephanie Abrams in tight t-shirts and she is still a moron, here – Dumb Weather Woman with breast implants. Pics Steph Abrams.
She interrupts. She talks way too loud. She thinks she knows everything — and worst of all, she refers to us viewer as "you guys." — "You guys think that a Category 1 storm isn't so bad bad, but you guys have to know that it's the power of the…." ah shut the f**k up you fleshy, dopey, stupid broad.
Does Stephanie Abrams know that if she were not standing next to Al Roker — a melted Snickers who also happens to be very famous — not one person would know who she was? Does she know that Al Roker, as awful as he looks and as corny as he is, is an American icon and that she is just a big broad with really wide hips who should be selling real estate on Long Island?
Sorry, but Stephanie Abrams is the most sickening and annoying weather person in history. She is the penultimate unprofessional, you guys !!!!
Also — note that the hurricane is turning out to be a big nothing in North Carolina and they made a big thing out of it for ratings. Now the Eastern Seaboard is screwed. I just watched a guy report from Nags Head, North Carolina — where the hurricane is — and all you saw was gentle white foam lapping up onto the beach and a bush gently swaying in a 10mph breeze.
Gradually the reporters keep trying to justify all the hype but all I see is elderly people who were taken away from their old age homes and put in strange places where they are not getting adequate care.
I also see supermarket shelves emptied of all things that nobody will need — it's all a huge crock of shit. The real experts behind the experts must know that they have to do this to justify their jobs and all, but come on, you people are fucking up people's lives with this 24 -7 coverage of a hurricane that so far hasn't done anything but knock down a few life guard stands but as it approaches the NY it's going to get bad.
When it gets to New York the local news will show a close up of a fallen tree and that will make it okay for having terrorized the entire east coast of the USA for a whole fucking week. Oh — and Stephanie Abrams — she's gotta go.
By Damien on August 27, 2011 / Across America, Featured Across America / 19 Comments
Slain Navy Seal's Dog Mourns Beneath His Master's Casket.
Ronnie and The Situation Fight !!! But Is It Really Gay Love?
I couldn't agree more with your take on Abrams, she is an absolute fucking idiot. CNN, MSNBC, The Weather Channel… fucking give it a fucking break already for god sakes. How many fucking idiots are out there still lapping this shit up? Oops, oh my God, there goes a body floating by!!, Quick, lets get to a commercial !!
It is really pathetic, no journalistic value…shit, its not even news. Its a bunch of trumped up, fake ass bullshit. Unfortunately, millions are watching it (what does that say about how fucked up things really are?). I can only hope that people will at some point of saturation, realize that they were just had by a bunch of third rate wanna be television rejects who wouldn't know a real storm if it bit them in the fucking ass. God help us all.
Finally someone blogged what I thought for a long time!
I contacted TWC and stated from the great John Hope to freshmen dorm Abrams! Our society is dumbing down she's the perfect example (to me)!
what are you guys talking about?Abrams is cute and sexy.She can ride me anytime.
Okay — I heard you the first time — you have to wait for the comment to get moderated or approved.
beachbum
DId you really think she would go out with a 10th grader who has a crush on her? C'mon son, she is a woman and you are a boy , what did you expect? Maybe if the letter you sent her wasnt in crayon, she may have responded. Now go back to playing with your barbies and leave the grown ups alone.
Bet you feel pretty smart after that "big nothing" storm took all those lives and caused severe damage… twit.
Keep up the good work Steph !
MeteorMan0808
Beachbum — You missed the point of the story. This is my field and this writer is the only person who got the story right!!!!!!! The point was that her coverage was wasted and atrociously misleading. They hyped the storm in the mid-Atlantic area where pretty much NOTHING happened and in their lust to look for mayhem where it did not exist, they unwittingly lulled those to the north and New England to believe that it wasn't such a big deal. It was bad reporting and greedy reporting — it was also bad forecasting. Don't shoot the messenger – she is a really suck-ass weather reporter. The experts knew that the real danger was in New England but nobody was there to put on a show because there was no pounding surf or gently swaying sea grass. How silly that you can't see that and have to make your stupid remarks about crayons — you can't even read between the lines let alone draw within them.
MeteorMan
LOCAL ON 8S MEANS LOCAL on 8s THE WEATHER CHANNEL SUCKS. I DONT WANT TO SEE ATLANTA, GEORGA STAY OUT OF LAKE TAHOE, THAT FAT PIG NEEDS A CLASS IN HAVING SOME CLASS, ALSO NEEDS TO LOOSE 45LBS, I WOULD RECOMMEND A FAT FARM
AGREE SHE IS ALL TIME WORST !
it's ALL about her, give me a #*)($#ing break
cant say
the weather channel screwed me over as a ditch digger in navada
jail man
the weather channel tried to sew me fore a slanderous comet about the girls on their show.
They tried to sew you — with a needle and thread? SUE!
She is the worst. I change the channel when she is on because between the way she dresses and her stupid jokes she makes me wrench. I wish they would take her horse face and processed hair out of my view. I do see how she could appeal to a certain kind of client(no pun intended) but she doesn't belong on National Television. And I really do not know where her wardrobe is purchased, I am assuming that it comes from whores are us but maybe I am wrong. Maybe she is a great person and just has been ill advised but from her obnoxious behavior and from the way that she spews nonsense I think she is possibly just an idiot. The weather channel thinks we are all just mindless puppets that they can drag on through the day by entertaining us with fools and dramatic weather related topics instead of just giving us substance.
AmericanThinker
Come on you guys. You'd all jump her if you had the chance. She has a body built for porn, but her face isn't that…..pretty. And that Ronda Rousey mole, very distracting. Maria LaRosa is a lot prettier. Doesn't look to bad in a bathing suit either 🙂
Joe Brunnell
11:05 pm on September 10, 2017
Personnel of weather channel bad example again having to stand in water to report on a hurricane. STUPID EXAMPLE PROBABLY DIRECTED BY CANTORE. This my last viewing of hurricane reporting on Weather Channel, Mike Bettes should be eliminated. He is not liked by anyone it apppears.
4:33 am on July 8, 2019
I remember last Thanksgiving, we were getting ready to drive from Eastern PA to Michigan. My wife watched TWC and became convinced the entire eastern half of the USA was going to be paralyzed, including all of Western PA and northern OH. I checked several cities along the way on the weather.gov site and the worst I could come up with was light snow, accumulation 1-3 inches possible . We made the trip. The roads? Some slush, a short stretch of freezing rain, and lots and lots of salt trucks. Winter storm Hortence, or whatever blathering name they came up, was a non-event for us. Maybe they should call them all Winter Storm Nostradamus and just assingn roman numerals, like they do to hype the Super Bowl.
George Hanover
Your comments about Mr. Roker are the most racist garbage I've ever read. You belong wherever Abrams ends up in the end, you goddamned Nazi.
Hurricane Prep
Bryan Norcross is the GOAT of hurricane meteorologists.
Crimson Velvet
11:00 am on June 28, 2022
I remember Stephanie reporting live on Hurricane Irene and the image shown is before her tight grey t-shirt got drenched from the downpour and went see through. She stood at her perkiest, about 1/2 inch out for each and my cock almost ripped through my Speedo shorts stiffening to absolute perfection and we will never be the same. Thank you, for helping us get some quick hurricane relief, Stephanie.
sexymimiyang
8:59 pm on November 30, 2022
Bryan Norcross is the GOAT of hurricane meteorologists.!!!!!!!!


text:
Home > Kolkata > Bengal is number one in terms of healthcare: CM
Bengal is number one in terms of healthcare: CM
Kolkata: Criticising some of the BJP-run states for the recent incidents that brought the poor health services to light, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that Bengal is number one in the country in providing health services.
Banerjee was speaking at a programme from where she inaugurated a series of health facilities including a Mother and Child Hub in Jalpaiguri, a Blood Bank at Nayagram Multi/Super-speciality Hospital and GNM Training School at five different hospitals.
It is important to mention that number of seats increased at the GNM training schools in medical colleges and district hospitals including in Bankura, Cooch Behar, Howrah, Nadia, Barasat and Tamluk.
Without naming the Uttar Pradesh government for not supplying oxygen to children admitted in hospital, she said: "If children die due to lack of oxygen, don't you think it's a crime? A government must have a comprehensive plan to ensure better health services to people." In this connection she further said: "More than 400 people died because of swine flu in the past four to five months in Gujarat."
She maintained: "One may say that charity begins at home when these issues are raised. I would like to say in this connection that a series of steps were taken to provide better health services to the people of Bengal. During the erstwhile government, the rate of institutional delivery in the state was 63 percent and now it has gone up to 93 percent. At the same time, 16 mother and child hubs have been set up and there are special arrangements for treatment of children."
She maintained that free treatment in provided to people in state-run hospitals. In addition to that, 200 fair price shops have been set up across the state.
She further said that out of 9.10 crore people, around 55.5 lakh people have been brought under the Sasthya Sathi scheme. The scheme provides health insurance to the people who are brought under it.
She said that the socio-economic parameter of a place is an important indicator that shows the condition of the residents living in it. So the state government always tries to ensure proper health services, education, food and shelter to its citizen.
The Chief Minister further said that people from Bangladesh, Bihar, Odisha and even from North-East come for treatment in the state-run hospitals, adding: "Pollution and tension-free environment is needed for people to be healthy. So we need an environment-friendly country."
She also mentioned that the state government has paid Rs 1.79 lakh crore of the debt that was left behind by the erstwhile Left Front government and yet has been able to ensure better healthcare facilities in Bengal.


● Baltic and International Maritime Council, The (BIMCO) [Denmark].
● Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Economics [Denmark].
● Centre for Maritime and Regional Studies [Denmark].
● Centre for Maritime Archaeology.
● Environmental Research Institute - NERI, Department of Freshwater Ecology, Silkeborg, Denmark.
● Danish Institute for Fisheries Research (DIFRES), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries [Charlottenlund, Denmark].
● Danish Institute for Fisheries Technology and Aquaculture [Denmark].
● Danish Institute of Aquaculture Technology [DIAT][Denmark].
● Danish Meteorological Institute [DMI, Denmark].
● Danish Institute for Fisheries Research [DIFR].
● Danish Institute for Fisheries Technology and Aquaculture デンマーク養殖・漁業技術研究所 [DIAT] [based at the North Sea Centre].
● Danish Institute for Fishery and Marine Research [Charlottenlund Slot, DK-2920 Charlottenlund] [デンマーク漁業・海洋研究所].
● Danish Research Institute of Food Economics.
● Danish Shipowners' Association [Denmark].
● Inland Fisheries Laboratory [Charlottenlund].
● Institute of Maritime Archaeology, The Viking Ship Museum バイキング船博物館海洋考古学研究所.
. ● International Council for the Exploration of the Sea [ICES] [Charlottenlund Slot, Charlottenlund, Denmark][国際海洋探査理事会: 北米、西欧諸国などが加盟する].
● Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen.
● Ministry of Fisheries, Denmark 漁業省.
● National Agency for Environmental Protection, Denmark.
● North Sea Institute [Denmark].
● Royal Danish Administration of Navigation and Hydrography (RDANH, Denmark)デンマーク王立航行・水路庁.
● Technical University of Denmark.
○ Department of Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering.
○ Department of Ocean Engineering.
Maritime Engieering, Department of Mechanical Engineering.


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Anahat was just another "nuisance" wandering a nearby neighborhood.
We were called to fetch her and bring her to Indraloka where she has been a thrill and a joy to have around!
Anahat makes her presence very well known by honking loudly when she has anything to say (which is ALL the time). She's a curious and brave little goose, always looking to be in the middle of the action.


As nowadays the world is as a little village, where everyone determines one another's wellbeing, the world passionately needs one collective prayer. That prayer, that worldprayer, is "lord have mercy".
Whether addressing the lord of one's heart or leaving him unnamed - always does it express we acknowledge another one's pain. And that our heart was touched. Thus giving birth to the wish to share own prosperity. Pleading that anyone in pain may experience relief, may receive help, may meet with compassion. Will be blessed with purification. Far away as well as in our neighbourhood.


text:
Banks provide billions for Dirty Diesel traders while failing to act on human rights, says new briefing
- Oil traders Trafigura and Vitol received over $100 billion in loans since 2012
- Of 26 banks contacted, not one has pressured companies over toxic fuel exports to Africa
Ryan Brightwell, BankTrack: humanrights@banktrack.org, +31 24 324 92 20
A Shell (Vivo Energy) petrol station in Accra, Ghana, June 2016. Photo: Carl De Keyzer – Magnum.
A new BankTrack briefing raises serious questions about how banks are conducting human rights due diligence and their ability to recognise and act upon the impacts of their finance. For the publication, "Banks and Dirty Diesel" , BankTrack contacted 26 banks that have loaned billions to the oil traders Trafigura and Vitol, to request details of how they have fulfilled their human rights obligations in light of a detailed investigation by Swiss NGO Public Eye into how the traders are flooding Africa with toxic fuels. Banks from the UK, France, Netherlands and Japan are among their largest financiers of the companies.
The investigation tested petrol and diesel at the pump in eight West and Central African countries to show how these traders take advantage of weak fuel standards by supplying and retailing cheap fuels, with sulphur levels typically hundreds of times the European limit, at the expense of people's health.
Each of the 26 banks contacted have loaned over $1 billion to Trafigura and Vitol in total since 2012. Almost all banks responded, but according to BankTrack's analysis, most did not address the impacts of their clients directly. Nine banks did provide a view on the traders' export of high-sulphur fuels, and seven said they had discussed the issue with the companies. However, none said that they had challenged the companies to stop the practice, described as "unethical and unacceptable" by the UN Environment Programme, nor planned to do so.
Several banks repeated claims made by Trafigura and Vitol that only government regulation can address the problem of high sulphur content fuels, and that "unilateral" action by companies would not solve the problem. However, these claims have already been refuted by Public Eye, which has found no valid reason that companies producing and shipping fuels to Africa cannot deliver higher quality fuels than the national specification.
Banks have a responsibility under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to respect human rights, including the right to health. This means they should seek to at least prevent or mitigate negative impacts, by conducting human rights due diligence covering the impacts of their finance. In this case, banks could have fulfilled this responsibility by engaging with their customers to seek changes to their business practices following the widely-reported Public Eye investigation.
Ryan Brightwell, BankTrack Human Rights Campaign Coordinator, said: "Rather than critically investigating the impacts of Trafigura and Vitol's behaviour, banks seem to have simply accepted their clients' excuses for inaction at face value. Banks need to ensure their human rights due diligence is more than skin deep, and demand that these companies stop selling Dirty Diesel if they are to continue receiving billions in finance."
Andreas Missbach of Public Eye, an author of the September 2016 report and a BankTrack board member, said: "It is absolutely unacceptable that the banks financing Trafigura and Vitol simply accept factually wrong excuses from these trading behemoths, that defend a toxic business model which puts extra profit above the health of the urban population in Africa and elsewhere."
The "Banks and Dirty Diesel" briefing can be downloaded here.
The appendices to the briefing, including full bank responses, can be downloaded here.
ANZ Australia
Bank of America United States
Bank of China China
BPCE France
Citi United States
Commonwealth Bank Australia
Crédit Agricole France
HSBC United Kingdom
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) China
Lloyds Banking Group United Kingdom
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Japan
Mizuho Financial Group Japan
National Australia Bank (NAB) Australia
Rabobank Netherlands
Scotiabank Canada
Société Générale France
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Japan
Trafigura Singapore
Commodities Trading | Oil and Gas Extraction
Vitol Switzerland


UPDATE: Baskin Robbins is set to open in Packages Mall, Lahore on the 11th of October.
Just a couple of months back, news of the world's biggest specialty ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins coming to Pakistan broke. But to our disappointment, the news turned out to be a dud.
Now news of Baskin Robbins opening its doors in Pakistan has resurfaced and this time its 100% confirmed. The international chain has just signed a master licensing agreement with a local company, AHG Flavors Pvt Ltd. to set up 35 Baskin-Robbins outlets in the entirety of Pakistan. The first of 35 branches is all set to launch in Packages Mall, Lahore.
The news was broken by Irfan Mustafa, chairman of AHG Flavours who said graciously described what Baskin Robbins was and how it would be bringing all of its 31 variety of flavors to Pakistan. He also confirmed that the first branch of the ice cream restaurant will be opened in a few months.
Baskin-Robbins Pakistan will have all of its fan favorite flavors available on launch. These include the famous Almond Fudge, Pralines 'n Cream, Jamoca, Chocolate Chip, Mango, Tiramisu, Very Berry Strawberry and more. The outlets in Pakistan will also be giving out their signature range of ice cream cakes, ice cream sundaes, and frozen beverages.
In Pakistan, quite a few restaurants have been selling ice creams in the name of Baskin Robbins. Unfortunately, nearly all of them were not the original product. Baskin Robbins is currently being imported in many superstores of Pakistan but they are the retail version of the ice creams which pale in comparison to the fresh ice cream you get at an outlet.
Baskin-Robbins is the world's largest and greatest chain of ice cream specialty shops. It was founded in 1945 by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins in California.
The ice cream restaurant is mostly known throughout the world for their 31 flavors slogan. The idea is that a customer can enjoy at least 1 new flavor every day of the month.
The company since its inception has introduced more than 1000 flavors globally.


text:
CNOOC Petroleum North America fined $450,000 for blast that killed two workers
Posted by David Logan
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — The company formerly known as Nexen Energy has been fined $450,000 after pleading guilty to charges in the deaths of two oilsands workers in northern Alberta.
The two men died from an explosion at the Long Lake facility near Anzac on Jan. 15, 2016.
Drew Foster, 52, of Niagara Falls, Ont., was pronounced dead at the scene and David Williams, 30, of Scotchtown, N.S., later died in hospital.
Nexen Energy was charged in 2017 with workplace offences under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Some of the charges related to ensuring a compressor was properly serviced and that staff in charge of the machine had read its operating manual and safety rules.
The company, which is now called CNOOC Petroleum North America, pleaded guilty in Fort McMurray provincial court to failing to ensure the health and safety of the men.
Quinn Wilson, CEO of the company, said it has been working on its safety practices to make sure that something similar never happens again.
"Drew Foster, David Williams were strong contributors to our company. They were valued and they were working overtime to help us," he said Thursday outside court.
"As an operator we take full responsibility for what happened to those two men that day."
Court heard 16 victim impact statements from family members and a friend of the men.
Tracy Foster, Drew's widow, told the court about the events that led up to the explosion, including her husband's decision to become a millwright and move across the country.
"Drew was the rock of our family. No amount of time will heal what we've lost," she said.
Crown prosecutor Alana Elliot read a statement from Dave Williams' mother, who wrote that her living room has become a shrine to her late son.
Williams' father, Michael, wrote that he sometimes visits the cemetery several times a day.
"Day after day. Surgery after surgery for 10 days we hoped and prayed David would be able to fight this, but the condition worsened."
Other charges related to their deaths were withdrawn. (CJOK, The Canadian Press)
Previous : UCP's pledge to kill off Energy Efficiency Alberta will threaten jobs, businesses warn
Next : Varcoe: 'New sheriff' — UCP faces crucial decision on energy minister
Unstoppable momentum: The wind industry rises confidently to the challenge posed by U.S. election results
Election results signal B.C.'s next government must champion clean growth and innovation
Encana Corp profit and revenue down as natural gas production falls
Houston, we have a problem — The call that sparked Canada's Trans Mountain crisis
Gear Energy Ltd. Announces 2018 Year-End Reserves
Canada Weekly Rig Count Down 28 to 210 for Week Ending December 22, 2017


text:
The Pumpkin Man is now FREE to Amazon Prime subscribers!
March 25, 2018 - 4:08 am March 25, 2018
THE PUMPKIN MAN is a horror thriller featuring a Ouija Board and a mysterious killer who cuts off the heads of his victims and replaces them with pumpkins carved in the likeness of their faces. It was my fifth and final novel for Dorchester Publishing, and it's a story I've always wanted to do a sequel to (but so far, never have quite found the time!). When it was first released, New York Times bestselling…
Goodbye to the clown prince of our flock. R.I.P. Boomer.
SEVEN YEARS AGO, we brought him home from the pet store in a small box with holes for air in it. My son Shaun had fallen for him and so our house was soon filled with the happy warbles of a parakeet for the first time in many years. My first bird, Beebs (short for Zaphod Beeblebrox), was a blue parakeet that I got while I was in college. He lived in a handful of…
One crazy week… anchored by a Meteor
March 11, 2018 - 7:27 pm July 18, 2018
SO LAST WEEKEND, I got home late Saturday night from a work trip to Vegas. But I didn't stay put for long. After a one-day rest, on Monday, I rented an SUV and drove four hours to Ann Arbor, Michigan. The reason? Meteor. Meteor is a pinball table that I've been looking to add to my basement mini-arcade for the past couple years. There were a lot of them produced back in 1979 by Bally…
Vegas – a short working return with brief respites of IPA
March 4, 2018 - 8:10 pm March 4, 2018
I HAD TO GO to Las Vegas for a couple days this week to work at a meeting for my dayjob. I'm not a gambler, so Vegas doesn't hold the allure for me that it does for many, but it is a fun place to wander around in. You can't help but enjoy the lights and energy of the place. I went to see the Zombie Burlesque show the last time I was in Vegas…
Voodoo Heart hits Best Of Lists for 2020
Goodbye 2020. No, really… Goodbye. Get lost.
The Horror Before Christmas 99 Cent eBook Sale!
10 GIALLO FILMS FOR HALLOWEEN
Voodoo Heart Blog Tour
It's V-Day: Voodoo Heart is now available from bookstores everywhere!
A Summer To Get Bond-ed
Six Months in Isolation… a Pinball Heaven
The Joy of Isolation
Warming the Winter with a trip to CAPRICON 40! (UPDATED with pix)
At the end of a decade… 2019
Christmas is for Reading!
When your "kids" Danika and Mila grow up and go to Netflix: V-WARS
Pinball Expo 2019: All About Elvira!
Scream from Heaven: R.I.P. Kim Shattuck
Beer Snob (16)
The Horror Life (300)
WHC (12)
Woodwork (2)
Year in Review (16)
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text:
Today, we are all the Muslim Brotherhood
January 27, 2014 at 2:07 pm | Published in: Africa, Article
Abdullahi Ali Ibrahim
I criticised a group of Sudanese who reported that Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi collapsed in front of investigators.
They also said that Khairat Al-Shater, the deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, responded to Morsi's boast that he is the president of the Republic of Egypt by screaming, "Egypt is bigger than Morsi and the Brotherhood".
Let us assume for the sake of argument that these things did happen. What is worse than Morsi collapsing in front of an investigator full of hate is to report news from a single source as unquestionable fact. That's shameful propaganda. Reporting the actions of Egyptian security forces as "heroic" when they are destroying a man's reputation is the ultimate disgrace.
The authorities claim that they are interrogating Morsi over his escape from prison during the January 25 Revolution, supposedly with the help of Hamas. I was amazed by this allegation. It took me back to 1964 and 1965 when the Muslim Brotherhood clashed with the Nasser regime which arrested the martyr Sayyid Qutb. The regime then started to broadcast propaganda that the Brotherhood was conspiring to destabilise the country. They showed copies of Qur'ans with cavities in which they alleged the Brotherhood hid guns used for illegal acts. We believed the regime because of our support for Nasser's Movement. They hanged Qutb. We in the progressive movements launched demonstrations in support of the progressive regime in Egypt, against the plots of the Muslim Brotherhood. I remember that day with shame. We split from the Brotherhood movement in Sudan at that time. Yet, nobody should bear the burden of another. It is neither ethical nor progressive to celebrate the assassination of a thinker, worshipper and an eminent interpreter of the Qur'an.
I listened to a speech by Ahmed Shafiq in support of Sisi's appeal to counter the Muslim Brotherhood. I regret that it has been portrayed as reflecting the "alliance of the masses" in the worst possible form. He called the Muslim Brothers traitors and rogues; traitors to what and to whom? He said that they were wrong to believe that their Islamic rule began when they ruled Egypt. He also said that he might understand their rogue nature. How would he understand this but not understand their "betrayal" of Egypt, a betrayal for which they can only blame themselves? He said that they will unite against the armed forces, which have always been ready to defend the nation by sacrificing their souls and blood.
The Sudanese will commit an unforgivable sin if they do not condemn strongly what is happening to the Muslim Brotherhood in Adawiya, Giza, and Alqaed Ibrahim. The killers who are murdering the Muslim Brotherhood during their peaceful protests and demonstrations are extremely organised. The day of liberation will come.
I hope that we do not repeat the mistake of 1952. The Brotherhood and the communists agreed to combat the coup of 1952 together. The regime decided to confront the Brotherhood and fabricated a rumour that the movement had attempted to kill Nasser. At the same time, the regime also confronted the communists by murdering Khamis and Baqri, two leaders who were calling for fulfilling the demands of trade unions. The Brotherhood and the communists joined forces by launching campaigns to attack the military dictatorship in Egypt. On that day, the Midan newspaper named the events "The July Revolution". The communists eventually joined forces with the regime and the rest is well-known.
The charge against President Morsi is that he escaped from prison and joined the revolution. Why don't Shafiq, El Baradei, Amr Moussa and Rifat Alsaed tell us which luxurious places they came from to join the revolution?
The bloodshed against the Muslim Brotherhood cannot be stopped without forming a broad coalition, including those who stood in opposition to the Islamic movement on June 30. This needs to be done in order to prevent fabricated political motives against peaceful political gatherings in Adawiyya and Alqaed Ibrahim. Fabricated politics are the end of politics. Today, we are all the Muslim Brotherhood.
The author is a Sudanese Marxist academic. This article is a translation of the original text which appeared in SudanNile Newspaper, 30th July 2013.
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.
Abdullah Ali IbrahimAmr MoussaEgypt-SudanEgyptian Unrest. Mohammed MorsiGeneral SisiHamasMohamed ElBaradeiMuslim BrotherhoodRifat Alsaed
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