Bethesda, MD: Administration of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) protects against ethanol-induced neurotoxicity in rats, according to clinical trial data published in the current issue of the journal Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) reported that the co-administration of CBD with ethanol reduced alcohol-induced cell death in the hippocampus and etorhinal cortex of the brain in a dose-dependent manner by up to 60 percent. "This study provides the first demonstration of CBD as an in vivo neuroprotectant ... in preventing binge ethanol-induced brain injury," authors wrote.
Researchers hypothesized that CBD is neuroprotective because it possesses anti-oxidant properties. Anti-oxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, are believed to help the body protect against the deleterious effects of free radicals (unstable atoms that can damage cells and may accelerate the progression of cancer and age-related diseases).
Previous research performed by NIMH researchers demonstrated that both THC and CBD protect rat brain cells against glutamate toxicity (a neurochemical that is released at toxic levels during a stroke or severe head trauma). An Italian research team has also demonstrated CBD to protect against the brain damage caused by ischemia (a reduction of blood flow to the brain that can cause cell death).
Researchers have also noted that CBD and THC can induce tumor regression, including brain cancer, in rodents and human cells.
US federal law prohibits the medical use of cannabinoids except for synthetic THC.
For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study, "Comparison of cannabidiol, antioxidants and diuretics in reversing binge ethanol-induced neurotoxicity," appears in the May issue of the journal Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.


text:
Equity crowdfunding for dummies: How it works & how to get in on the game
Jon Medved, OurCrowd
Getting a slice of the equity pie
Image Credit: dimair / Shutterstock
The crowdfunding industry is hitting its stride. Kickstarter announced recently it has topped $1 billion in pledges for its rewards-based opportunities, and peer-to-peer lending leader Lending Club is preparing for its IPO.
The potential impacts of crowdfunding on the economy and entrepreneurship are staggering. But while rewards-based crowdfunding provides the lowest cost capital a company can raise, not everyone is a winner in this finance model. As Korstiaan Zandvliet, founder of Dutch crowdfunding platform, Symbid said: "Isn't it a shame that some of the companies funded through [rewards-based] forms of crowdfunding will go on to make large profits, and all you ever got was a t-shirt?"
A case in point: backers of Oculus VR's $2.4 million Kickstarter campaign in 2012 are not seeing any upside from Facebook's $2 billion acquisition.
Relatively little is known about what many investors consider to be crowdfunding's holy grail – equity crowdfunding. The idea is compelling: Individuals pool small funds together to become equity stakeholders in early stage companies, when the opportunities – and risks – are the greatest. Many insiders anticipate equity crowdfunding will transform startup finance. Massolution estimates 100% growth this year, with $400 million raised.
Based on OurCrowd's analysis of the 10 largest equity crowdfunding platforms by asset volume (see infographic), and our own performance with active equity crowdfunding investors, I expect $700 million is more realistic. Whereas angels have invested $393 million on the 10 largest equity crowdfunding platforms by asset volume to date, they have invested $90 million in Q1 2014 alone.
Among the 50,000 angels who have registered on an equity crowdfunding platform like AngelList, CircleUp, Seedrs, Crowdcube and OurCrowd, only about 5,000 have actually invested via an equity crowdfunding intermediary. That means just 1% of the global population of 500,000 angel investors actively participate in equity crowdfunding today, leaving ample runway as more investors migrate to these platforms.
So why are insiders so confident that equity crowdfunding will transform the capital markets? According to top crowdfunding experts, there are two primary factors:
The payback from equity crowdfunding can be enormous. According to Tanya Prive, founder of crowdfunding platform, Rock the Post, "While most startups won't achieve Facebook or Dropbox returns (62,000% and 39,000% ROI, respectively), a long-term investment of 5-8 years in the right startup could produce higher returns than any other asset."
Equity crowdfunding takes local angel investing and makes it global, without sacrificing quality. Today much angel investing is relegated to local deals and that makes sense, as it's not as easy to set up a national (or international) deal flow. But as Crowdvalley founder Markus Lampinen says, "New access and transparency created by online models will open the door for discovering new investment opportunities in private securities potentially anywhere. Along with the right information, research and processes to protect investors and evaluate the cases, this can lead to a new paradigm where we as investors are not limited to our own local community, but can access information from around the world."
If you want to profit from equity crowdfunding but are wondering how to go about it, here are investment tips based on my experience as a venture capitalist and angel investor and on input from some of the world's top crowdfunding experts:
Diversify. Study after study shows how risky the asset class is and that building a portfolio of high-quality startups is the only way to go to make real money investing in private companies. Just as mutual funds and exchanged traded funds (ETF) have made it easy to add international exposure to a stock portfolio, equity crowdfunding ushers in easy access to private companies — a new asset class.
"Go into this with your eyes open and remember one important fact: depending on whose numbers you read, 30-40% of startup businesses across the board fail within two years," said crowdfunding expert Kendall Almerico. "The good news about investing via equity crowdfunding is that you will be able to invest a small amount along with a lot of other people, so you can minimize your potential losses and the risk involved."
"Rather than putting all their eggs in one basket, investors can diversify capital in 10 or more companies," added Microventures' Tim Sullivan. "This can greatly improve chances of success. The winners in a startup investor's portfolio can provide returns that more than make up for the losers."
Invest in what you know. "Some of the most successful crowdfunding projects started because experienced investors didn't understand that there was latent demand for a new product category," said Ethan Mollick, a professor studying crowdfunding at the Wharton School of business. "Gamers, rather than VCs, funded Oculus Rift because they knew that they wanted to experience virtual reality, even though investors were not interested because of a lack of proven demand. Technology enthusiasts backed Pebble Watch because they wanted wearable computers, an area that conventional wisdom, without much recent evidence, suggested was a dead-end."
Do your due diligence. "Dig into the startup's financial statements, scrutinize their financial projections, and evaluate the metrics they use to measure traction," Sullivan added. "If the numbers don't tell a compelling and realistic story, then you should find another company to invest in."
Recognize startup investing is a team sport. If it's important to invest in good management for a publicly traded stock, it's essential to identify leaders that are winners when investing in startups. It's better to invest in a world-class team with a half-baked idea than the inverse. "Growing a startup from idea to exit is a long and winding journey so investing in a startup is really about backing the team to last the duration of the journey. Our most frequent investors often prefer to invest in startups with more than one team member," Jeff Lynn, founder of UK crowdfunding platform, Seedrs said.
Learn how to factor in the additional data that crowdfunding platforms provide. "Real crowdfunding can demonstrate whether there is a market and whether customers are prepared to pay for the product or service," said Amanda Boyle, CEO at Bloom Venture Catalyst.
I'd be lying if I said the excitement surrounding equity crowdfunding doesn't keep me awake most nights. The democratization of capital flowing into the growth engine of our economy — startups — will give an entirely new class of investors opportunities to enrich themselves that only venture capitalists and angel investors had previously. We know crowdfunding creates jobs — we'll soon see a growing number of equity crowdfunding investors realizing a massive return. I'll bank on it.
Jon Medved is a serial entrepreneur, investor and CEO of OurCrowd. Medved has been part of the founding teams at several successful Israeli startups, and as a venture and angel investor over the past two decades, he has invested in over 100 Israeli startups, helping to bring over a dozen of them to values in excess of $100 million.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Radar Offline: Abandoned Secret Soviet Base In Latvia
Article by Steve, filed under Abandoned Places in the Architecture category
An abandoned Soviet 'secret city' near Skrunda, Latvia, once housed an advanced radar installation along with apartment blocs er, blocks for base workers.
Riga Mortis
They called it "Skrunda-1"… that is, when they called it anything. Back in the Soviet Era, it was customary for Eastern Bloc "secret cities" not to have actual names nor appear on maps. Instead, a numeral was appended onto the name of the nearest town. Thus the remains of Skrunda-1 lie 3 miles (5 km) north of the historic town of Skrunda, roughly 95 miles (150 km) west of Latvia's capitol city, Riga.
Them Negative Waves
The former LSSR (Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic) was a puppet state established in July of 1940, following the Soviet Union's invasion, occupation and annexation of the independent Republic of Latvia. The fall of communism in September of 1991 saw Latvia regain its sovereignty but subsequent negotiations over base closures and the withdrawal of thousands of Red Army troops stationed on Latvian soil dragged on for years.
Your Base Are Belong To Us
Skrunda-1 was one such base the USSR (and its successor state, the Russian Federation) was reluctant to relinquish. Opened in 1964 at the height of the Cold War, Skrunda-1 boasted a variety of advanced radar installations capable of monitoring air traffic across the width and breadth of Western Europe. Facilities there were continually upgraded over the years, right up to the time a formal base closure agreement was signed between Latvia and Russia in April of 1994.
See More in Architecture (or: Abandoned Places)
Well Bread: 10 Scorching Hot, Poppin' Good Toasters
2,300 Floating Flowers: Interactive Garden Makes Way as You Walk
Little People of London: Miniature Urban Street Art Images
Pointing Nowhere: Mysterious Giant Arrows in Remote Places


An energy drink which costs just £1 could soon be used to treat people with type 2 diabetes, it has been claimed.
Boffins from the University of Oxford have been testing out a drink that's designed to help US soldiers keep their energy levels up whilst on the battlefield.
The beverage is called "G" and contains ketones, which are acids produced by the body when it goes into a state of starvation.
It could be on offer in the UK within just three years.
Dr Kieran Clarke, a biochemist at the university, told The Times: "The idea began as a way to treat patients.
"Ketone is hugely beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes because it helps to lower fatty acid levels in the blood.
"The drink could be taken alongside a low-sugar diet to help manage the condition."
A trial organised by the University of Oxford found that cyclists who quaffed a bottle of G were able to cycle quarter of a mile further in half an hour than their un-enhanced competitors.
Ketones are made in the liver by breaking down the body's supply of fat, something which happens when starvation is setting in.
The drink G has already been licensed for sale in America and its likely to be given the go-ahead to be sold in the UK soon too.
As well as helping out people with type 2 diabetes, it is likely to be used by athletes and maybe even soldiers.
"It's the body's own natural mechanism to keep us alive," Dr Clarke added.


For the year 2012 is the highest domestic parts content for a single vehicle in the Toyota Matrix Hatchback. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 95% DPC meets the Matrix – a percentage not seen since 2007. But here's the catch: The matrix is not even built in the U.S. Toyota assembles the car in Canada. For a variety of reasons, the American Automobile Labeling Act includes Canada as "domestic" source. (. This is one reason that AMI uses installation as the determining factor) Matt Blunt, president of the Detroit Three, the lobby group, the American Automotive Policy Council, said: "Canada was included because at the time AALA came into force, it is I would be very hard to disentangle what is one of the most integrated bi-national production in the world. "
Seven cars built this year with domestic parts content of 75% or higher are in Canadian assembly plants. Blunt also acknowledges the system's imperfections, and said, "Sure you need a more accurate system, and it is not likely useful [domestic content] different reporting metrics" by the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Government Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program. Cars.com uses the AALA AMI calculate, because it is what every new-vehicle buyers may be to find a new car. The other two programs are very much more opaque.
The best-selling car is assembled exclusively in the U.S. Ford F-Series Pickup. The best selling car in Mexico is built Ford Fusion Sedan, although the transitions change as production Ford Fusion Michigan. The best-selling car in Canada is the Chevrolet Equinox SUV. The best-selling import? The Toyota Prius Hybrid.
We reported a total U.S. employment by the Detroit Three to foreign automakers, but also tallied each car factory – Assembly, powertrain, stamping, casting and the like – all of America that is involved with light commercial vehicle production. GM, Ford, Chrysler, and two U.S. startups – Tesla and taxi-maker MV-1 – 75.5 operating plants. (The percentage is from Flat Rock, Michigan, where Ford and Mazda have a common game.) In comparison, BMW, Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen lead 29.5 plants. But any foreign-owned factory employs more workers. Without the Ford / Mazda plant, U.S. carmakers average of 1,382 employees per establishment. In contrast, an average of 2,315 workers per plant foreign bodies.
The US-built nameplates with 75% or higher level of domestic content, GM results for the 2012 model year with seven. Toyota In second place with five, but the automaker has the most cars that have zero-percent domestic parts. Twenty nameplates, Toyota, Scion, including any and all, but a Lexus, have no domestic content whatsoever to NHTSA.
The Chevrolet Volt has a lot of political controversy stirred, but President Barack Obama may want to temper his enthusiasm for it: GM's plug-in hatchback has only 46% domestic parts.
American-Made Index: Which automakers are affected while the workers?


We understand that many patients have concerns regarding their dental care. Our frequently asked questions are listed on this page; however, if your question is not listed here, please feel free to contact us.
Q: Will you accept my insurance plan?
A: We accept all dental plans that do not dictate that you see a specific doctor in order to utilize your benefits.
A: Participating dentists have contracted with certain dental plans to accept a reduced fee schedule. If you use a PPO provider, your out-of-pocket expense will be less than if you use a non participating provider. We would be considered out of network, or non participating.
Q: Do you accept Delta Dental?
A: We are a provider for Delta Dental Premier plans only. We are not a Delta DPO or PMI provider.
A: We accept most major dental plans as an out of network provider. We suggest that you call the office for details; we can let you know if you can utilize your insurance plan at our office, or if it may be better for you to go to one of your plan's preferred providers.
A: Our office is not open Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Q: Do you do implants?
A: Yes, Dr. Mitoma places and restores implants. He is in the office on Monday and Wednesday.
Q: Do you do root canals?
Q: Do you do straighten teeth?
Q: What if I need to cancel or change my appointment?
A: No charge will be made for rescheduling an appointment provided 24 hours notice is given. Otherwise a minimum charge of $25 per half hour missed will be made.
Q: Do you have Nitrous Oxide Available?
A: Yes, nitrous oxide is available for a charge of $25 per visit for the first hour and then $15 each additional hour. This fee will be collected at time of service.
Q: What are the bleaching options in your office?
A: We offer 3 different methods of bleaching in our office. The first and least expensive are the Crest White Strips; these are 84% stronger and 15% longer than what you can buy in the store. They need to be applied twice a day for thirty minutes each time. We also offer bleaching trays, which are custom made for your mouth, the procedure is the same for the trays as with the strips, and both take about 2-3 weeks for results. Lastly is the in office bleaching. ZOOM! Is done in the office, it takes 2 hours, and the results are immediate.
Q: Why is the website named "Toothbeavers"?
A: Because Dr. Mitoma's nickname is "BEAVER" because he used to chew on everything when we was a baby.


text:
2nd Lieutenant James Bennett
Biography of 2nd Lieutenant James Bennett
James Bennett was born on the 3rd July 1886 in Dunfermline, Fife, eldest son of four brothers to David Bennett, Master Grocer and Spirit Merchant, and Margaret Bennett (née Houston). The family were living in Saline, Fife, in the early 1900s.
After leaving school, James trained with a local Architect, John Houston of Dunfermline, from 1903 to 1907. He then became a student of the Glasgow School of Architecture from session 1907-1908 to session 1910-1911. Founded in 1904, the Glasgow School of Architecture was jointly financed and administered by the Glasgow School of Art and the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College (later known as the Royal Technical College, now the University of Strathclyde). As it did not have its own staff or premises, students of the School attended classes at both the School of Art and the Technical College.
The Technical College student registers reveal that James took a combination of day and evening classes during his five years there. These included Descriptive Geometry, Mechanics Lectures, Stereotomy, Builders' Quantities, Mechanics of Structures, Chemistry, Geology and Physics, as well as various classes in Architecture. During his studies he also worked as an assistant in the firm of Miller & Black in Renfield Street, Glasgow, for a year. He achieved first-class certificates of merit for most of his subjects, and in his final year was a senior medallist in Design.
James qualified for the Senior Certificate of the Glasgow School of Architecture in May 1911, and became assistant to William Cowie, architect in Ayr. That same year, he was awarded the triennial Alexander Thomson Travelling Studentship, which had been set up by the Glasgow Institute of Architects following the death of famed Glasgow architect Alexander "Greek" Thomson. Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a previous recipient of this studentship, in 1890.
On his return from travelling in Italy and France, James joined the firm of John Burnet and Son as an architectural draughtsman. Sir John James Burnet was responsible for designing several buildings at the University of Glasgow, including the Memorial Chapel and the James Watt Building. James passed the examination for admission as an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in late 1915, following sponsorship by John Burnet and two fellow architects, Alexander Nisbet Paterson and John Watson. However, war service then brought his promising career to a halt.
James joined the Officers Training Corps at the University of Glasgow in session 1915-1916. He enlisted in the Queen's Own Rifles, Glasgow Yeomanry, before receiving a temporary commission with the 129th Field Company Royal Engineers in October 1916.
2nd Lieutenant James Bennett was killed in action in France on the 28th November 1916, aged 30. He is buried in the Maroc British Cemetery in Grenay, north of Arras. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
As well as appearing on the University of Glasgow memorial, James is commemorated on the Glasgow School of Art Roll of Honour, and on the Roll of Honour of the Royal Technical College. He is also named on the Saline war memorial in Fife, and on his parents' headstone in Saline cemetery. The house in Saline where James grew up, originally called 'Hillview,' was renamed 'Maroc' after the cemetery where he is buried, in remembrance of him.
View 2nd Lieutenant James Bennett's entry in the First World War Roll of Honour
Regiment: 129th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
Comments: Killed in action, 28 November 1916.
Dictionary of Scottish architects, James Bennett biography
The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections
The Glasgow Institute of Architects
The University of Glasgow Story, Sir John James Burnet
The Scottish War Memorials Project
The Scottish War Graves Project
Saline, Steelend & Communities
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Debt of Honour Register


As an employer, you can help your employees to follow through with their health objectives by rolling out e-learning for health at your workplace. Here's how.
Basically, e-learning for health is an online service for those who wish to develop health skills, or knowledge to benefit their health. It's a platform where you can learn all about health online, not just to cater to your post-festive guilt, but to learn for life.
An e-learning for health course aims to improve the participants knowledge, skills and confidence when dealing with health-related issues. This can be work related, or can cover wider areas outside of their profession.
A lot of funding has already gone into developing health education cross the UK to help improve the national workforce.
You may have come across Health Education England before. These guys are an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health. Their main function is to provide national guidance and coordination for the health education and training of the public workforce in England.
Their aim is to help the public by ensuring that each and every workforce has the right numbers, skills, values and lifestyle behaviours.
Health Education England (HEE) found programmes and activities, from planning and commission, to recruiting and developing healthcare staff, in a range of community settings, such as your typical workplace office.
HEE work alongside the NHS to provide health related training for the public. This can be from web-based learning resources for staff involved in the delivery of physical and mental healthcare across the nation.
Why should I set up e-learning for health at my workplace?
There are many reasons why you might want to set up a workplace health programme.
As an employer, a workplace e-learning programme can support you in raising health awareness across your organisation, and in helping your managers to become better equipped to encourage mentally healthier workplaces too.
But does promoting health education at work… work?
Yes, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that an e-learning for health platform can really help employees.
E-learning health programmes can be part of your learning and development strategy. It can help employees to make immediate improvements to their health-related knowledge in general, and to their attitudes and intentions at work and in their personal life. It helps encourage employees to modify their health behaviours such as diet, tobacco use, substance use, safer sexual behaviour and general health.
In the long term, e-learning for health can limit absenteeism. With a better understanding of how to deal with various illnesses, from the common cold to mental health problems, employees will be less likely to need to take time off to recuperate. Teaching your employees to take care of themselves and of others, and to seek the necessary help when needed will reduce the number of absentees.
Health programmes can also promote physical activity at work. This could be through organising a new staff sports team to get everyone involved, or taking their own initiative and starting a sporty hobby outside the office.
Physical activity is directly linked to improved self-esteem and motivation. So, encouraging physical activity through an e-learning course would help to increase alertness and motivation of employees. Hello better production and overall business results!
Indeed, there are also benefits when it comes to managing compliance and continual professional development, both from an individual and organisational perspective. With workers feeling more on form, having learnt how to alter their lifestyle and better care for themselves, there will no doubt be budgetary, productivity, and time saving benefits for the organisation.
E-learning programmes can also help employees to improve their diet by teaching them about valuable nutritional information. Nutrition modules or guides can dramatically change the lifestyle behaviours of employees. This, again, feeds into better work attendance, higher self-esteem and productivity.
If you have smokers at your office, e-learning for health may also encourage smoking-employees to learn how to stop smoking, reducing their consumption of cigarettes considerably.
As for efficiency, e-learning can be cost effective, time efficient and a flexible way to access training. Often people don't have much free time at the office, so e-learning is a great option for training. As a platform that employees can quickly dip in and out of, they can go back to where they left off easily if needed elsewhere– you aren't stuck in a classroom!
On another note, if you want to help ease the stress on the NHS, with e-learning, staff can access courses immediately. This means when it comes to seeking health advice, staff are no longer completely reliant on healthcare workers being available for a specific session. Think of it as learning to treat and care for yourself. This is also really rewarding!
The programme should not just look at personal health and lifestyle risks, but at occupational hazards and issues. Employee wellbeing is not just affected by genes and lifestyle, but also by their job and workplace.
The e-learning course should directly impact the working culture and environment in a positive way. Workplace activities should be supported by policies that promote healthy work and worker wellbeing, such as healthy food options in canteens, office sports teams or events.
The course can be tailored to your local area, and go beyond what happens in the office. For example, offering weekend walking routes for employees nearby, or other options for physical activity that encourage mindfulness – yoga, meditation or counselling.
E-learning programmes will only work for employees if they have their own goals or incentives to participate. This means that a lot of emphasis needs to be placed on encouraging individual engagement with the e-learning programme.
It goes without saying that time spent trying to persuade someone to change their habits when they have no intention of doing so reduces the cost-effectiveness of the programme.
Based on data collected from e-learning services, you can help employees to seek external professional advice if they need to. Occupational health clinicians will be able to apply the evidence given to them by employees, based on what they may have learnt on the course or during e-consultations. This will help them to offer tailored wellbeing advice to those who need it.
Have you heard of Perkbox medical?
Perkbox Medical offers straightforward, affordable professional cover from £3 a month. The policy acts as a partial medical cover so your covered for the things you need in general. This means you're not paying for insurance for treatments you'll never need.
The online service is 24/7, so you can access support whenever and wherever you need it. You can also book online appointments and get prescriptions through the service too.
Perkbox Medical also works towards fast-tracking the NHS to get you your essentials as speedily as possible, including services such as counselling, physiotherapy and even X-rays.
It's a great place to start when it comes to educating your staff about healthcare and where to find extra support in times of need.
If Perkbox Medical is something you or your company might be interested in, don't hesitate to get in contact. We also provide advice on general health and wellness in the workplace.
E-learning is not about replacing doctors or trips to your local GP, it's about training yourself to understand how to better take care of your body and your mind at work.
Of course, the NHS and your doctor will always be there when you need the extra help. But, how rewarding it could be for employees to be their own doctor for a change and to take control of their own health.


The Indonesian earthquake of 2004 spawned the most destructive tsunami in history, killing over 230,000 people. How do earthquakes trigger tsunamis? Can people be warned in time when one is on the way? You'll explore these questions in this activity.
View a NOAA Animation of the spread of the tsunami of December 26, 2004. Describe how it spread from the epicenter.
Visit the USGS Life of a Tsunami. Read Initiation Look at the sea floor diagram. What happens on the sea floor during an underwater earthquake?
Scroll to Split. Describe the two parts of a tsunami split.
Continue to Amplification. How do the amplitude and wavelength of a tsunami change when it reaches a continental slope?
Read Run up. How is a tsunami wave different from normal waves at the beach?
What causes most of the damage from a tsunami?
Explain why it's not safe to return to a beach for several hours after the first tsunami run up.
The Indonesian tsunami would have been much less deadly if a warning system had been in place. View this DART system animation, then read the description. Describe how the warning system works.


text:
What Grosshadern has to offer?
Hadern is a district in the south west of Munich. It is bordered by part of the BAB Munich to Garmisch motorway in the south, Fürstenrieder Strasse in the east, Senftenauerstrasse in the north and the city boundary in the west.
Originally an old farming community, Grosshadern was incorporated in the urban municipality in 1938. There are vestiges of the old farming settlement to be seen in Großhadern, near the centre of the village. Further out, a less dense suburban landscape of detached houses determines the appearance of this district. After the Second World War and up to the 1980s, residential estates (Blumenau, Senftenauerstrasse, Neuhadern) were built on land that had previously been agricultural.
Currently, new residential construction is underway in the south of the district near Grosshadern Clinic, partly in the form of rental housing and partly in the form of owner-occupied housing. Following extension of the U-Bahn line 6 to Grosshadern Clinic (1993) the district is now very well served, with four stations.
Grosshadern Clinic
The Grosshadern Clinic of the University of Munich is the largest hospital complex in Munich. The Gene Centre, part of the Ludwig Maximilians University, was opened in 1994; and in 1999 the entire Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy was moved to Hadern. The Children's Centre of Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria) and the attached Montessori school, as well as the Altenwohnstift Augustinum (retirement home) and the Augustinum clinic are further facilities in the area of social care, which together with the Clinic account for the majority of jobs.
Judo Olympic Training Centre ( Heiglhofstrasse 25, 81377 Munich)
The Grosshadern Munich TSV (sports association) provides many sports facilities (football, handball, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, mountaineering, aikido and fitness classes) but is world-famous for its judo department. It is the home of several Olympic athletes, medallists, world champions and national league players.
Hadern village festival
Every year in May, the Football department at TSV Grosshadern puts on the much-loved Hadern Village Festival. Word of this festival has spread well beyond Grosshadern, with the result that it has become an institution and part of the Munich folk festival scene.
Well-known bands, local cabaret artists and prominent politicians gladly appear at the Hadern Village Festival.
Martinsried Sports Centre
For guests interested in sport, the Martinsried Sports Centre is a five minute drive away. There is a full programme of fitness activities and several tennis, squash and badminton courts. Additionally, a visit to the Wellness Oasis will refresh the spirit.
Heiglhof Theatre
Keen theatre-goers will find something to suit them in our locality. The Heiglhof Theatre team are proactive in their staging of such classics as the dramas of LORIOT, ARSEN UND SPITZENHÄUBCHEN (Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace), or the farce DIE NASHÖRNER or Peter Ustinov's ENDSPURT (The Photo Finish). An enjoyable evening is guaranteed.
The great Bavarian lakes
Almost all the larger Bavarian lakes are easily reachable from Grosshadern. The Starnbergersee for instance is 15 minutes away, whilst Ammersee with the famous Andechs monastery is a 20 minutes' drive. There are also many walking and cycling paths which can be joined directly from the hotel. We are happy to provide further information.
The beer gardens
What would Munich be without its world-famous beer gardens? The typical Munich beer garden cannot be found anywhere else. It is the embodiment of the typically congenial lifestyle of the Bavarians.
Our district is not short of this essential feature. Here are a few beer gardens in the vicinity.
Erdinger Weißbiergarten (Munich-Großhadern)
Waldheim (Munich-Großhadern)
Haderner Augustiner (Munich-Großhadern)
Kraillinger Brauerei (Krailling)
Lochhamer Einkehr (Gräfelfing)
Pe.Es. Kottmeier (Planegg)
Additionally, our part of town boasts several restaurants with a choice of international cuisines. Just ask at the reception.


Mental health issues are prevalent in the developer community, but we're still afraid to talk about them openly because of the associated stigma. Whether you suffer from mental illness or would like to be more supportive of the people you know who do, this session aims to help erase the stigma and open the conversation.
Attendees should leave knowing resources available for helping to deal with mental illness and, hopefully, have a better understanding that a mental illness is not a character flaw, but part of a person.


text:
The Greater Lynchburg Transit Company is the non-profit, publicly owned company responsible for providing bus service for Lynchburg, Virginia, since its creation in 1974. The GLTC Board of Directors sets and is responsible for both the general policies as well as the selection of the management company responsible for operation the service. The Board is composed of nine-members that are appointed by the Lynchburg City Council. , First Transit is responsible for the operation of the network, and their subsidiary, Central Virginia Transit Management Company is oversees the actual employment of the GLTC's bus drivers, mechanics, and other staff.

GLTC serves a population of 80,846 in an area covering , and in 2006 totaled 1,117,971 unlinked passenger trips.

Bus fleet
 3 Gillig Diesel/Electric Hybrid,  low floor buses
 14 Gillig Diesel/Electric Hybrid,  low floor buses
 7 Gillig Diesel/Electric Hybrid,  low floor buses
 10 Gillig Diesel,  low floor buses
 12 Ford/Supreme, E-450,  (in operation for paratransit)
 1 Chance, VS-24 replica trolley

Routes

Liberty University shuttle service
On November 10, 2006, the GLTC entered an agreement with Liberty University to operate the  shuttle bus service on its campus. Service would commence on January 15, 2007, with six buses serving the campus. The service operates from 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Serving Liberty's main, north and east campuses, the system originally consisted of eight stops. Costing $1,000,000 annually for the service, Liberty students and employees can utilize the shuttle service without paying a fare each time.

By November 2007, the service saw its 1,000,000th passenger, which doubled the average annual ridership for the GLTC as a whole. With ridership for the service growing from 3,900 passengers per day in spring 2007 to 7,400 in fall 2007, university officials are working in conjunction with the GLTC to expand the service to include areas off campus in the area around the university.

See also
 Transportation in Virginia

References

External links
 Greater Lynchburg Transit Company official website

Bus transportation in Virginia
University and college bus systems
Transportation in Lynchburg, Virginia
1974 establishments in Virginia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Happy Birthday Oscar Goodman!
Bombay Sapphire Salutes the Happiest Mayor on Earth
Gael Hees Aug 11, 2019
Photos by Tom Donoghue
He calls himself the world's happiest mayor (now former mayor), and when you meet him, you know it's true. In his office on a Monday, he was talking in awe about the mail he had received from people all over the country for his birthday. He picked up one card in particular and said, "Look at this; this person doesn't even know me and he sent a check for $100 for Keep Memory Alive. Isn't that amazing?" He was truly honored at receiving that donation.
Oscar Baylin Goodman was born on July 26, 1939, and last month he turned 80 years old to a series of amazing parties, fetes and celebrations. He was honored at a public gathering on July 18 on Fremont Street—pulling up with his wife Carolyn in a 60s-era Cadillac convertible, the color of a Bombay Sapphire Gin label. He was whisked out of the vehicle, immediately flanked by two pink-clad showgirls, and ushered to the stage where he oversaw the proceedings.
Frankie Scinta was the emcee who welcomed a string of guests and performers including Terry Fator and his puppet friend Frank Sinatra; Dennis Bono and Lorraine Hunt-Bono, of the Dennis Bono Show and former Nevada lieutenant governor, respectively; and many others.
Of course, there was the presentation of a martini glass-shaped birthday cake (with Oscar licking a finger of icing), and the ubiquitous photos of Oscar through the years. But those photos weren't just shown on a screen on the stage, they were shown on the first section of the Fremont Street canopy to be updated with brighter lights and higher resolution. Oscar never looked so good!
The highlight of the event was a parade of 80 bartenders marching in rhythm to their posts where they prepared 80 "Hizzoner" martinis for the attendees. It was well-choreographed with shakers shaking in unison, bottles of Bombay Sapphire Gin raised and poured in cadence, 80 jalapeño peppers dropped into 80 glasses at once, and a simultaneous presentation of the drinks with Oscar Goodman masks raised. It was really done well.
Afterward, many moved to Oscar's Steakhouse in the Plaza Hotel and Casino for dinner. A prix fixe menu featuring many of Oscar's favorite foods was available and a portion of the proceeds benefitted Keep Memory Alive.
Getting His Start
Oscar not only considers himself to be happy, he also considers himself to be lucky. Not at the gaming tables, but as in opportunities, and right place, right timing. He was born in Pennsylvania and attended Haverford College and The University of Pennsylvania Law School. While going to school, he clerked at the district attorney's office to keep his sanity. "I was the only one in my law class working forty hours a week while going to school," Oscar said. "I made $1 per hour and was happy to have it."
It was there that he got his first experience working on a high-profile case, one that involved the Teamsters Union. When he got out of school, someone told him to move to Vegas—he'd find plenty of similar cases there.
As Oscar tells it, "I went home and said to Carolyn (his wife and current mayor of Las Vegas), 'How would you like to move to the land of milk and honey?' Her reply was, 'Oscar, I love you and would follow you almost anywhere, but I'm not moving to Israel.' I meant the other land of milk and honey, Las Vegas."
They arrived in Las Vegas on August 28, 1964 with $87. Oscar couldn't take the Nevada bar exam until the following summer, but once he had passed it, he found plenty of cases to challenge him in Las Vegas. He represented defendants many thought were involved in organized crime including Nicky Scarfo, Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal and Anthony "Tony the Ant" Spilotro. In his book, Being Oscar: From Mob Lawyer to Mayor of Las Vegas (written with George Anastasia), Oscar tells it this way:
"I never shied away from being called a mob lawyer. That's what I was. But—and this is important—the men I represented were my clients. They were entitled to a lawyer, the same as any other citizen."
Changing the Face of Vegas
One of the Goodmans' favorite places to eat was the Venetian Restaurant and Pizzeria at its original location on Fremont Street. It was owned by Lou and Angie Ruvo. Their son, Larry, was working there as a busboy and became acquainted with Oscar and Carolyn. Decades later, Oscar persuaded Larry to build the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in what was to become Symphony Center in Downtown Las Vegas. This building—designed by Frank Gehry—is now a focal point for this area of town.
In 1984, Carolyn realized a longterm dream when the doors of The Meadows School opened to students for the first time. She was one of the main founders and continued to work there for many years.
Over the years, Carolyn and Oscar made changes throughout the Las Vegas Valley. They were dedicated to this community. Oscar was elected mayor in 1999 and served three terms. Interestingly enough, it was the Goodman children who thought that Carolyn should run for the office after Oscar's final term. "They suggested that I had a lot more ideas to implement, and they thought their mother would do a good job of making those ideas happen," said Oscar.
The Public Oscar
Just because he is now 80 years old, that doesn't mean that Oscar is slowing down one bit. He is the chairman of the Host Committee of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and an ambassador for Las Vegas. One of his main responsibilities is welcoming groups to the community, which he does with showgirl accompaniment and martini in hand. There couldn't be anyone more suited to the job—his smile is infectious, his stories sometimes outrageous and his enthusiasm for Vegas is genuine.
But, speaking of martinis—Oscar is also a spokesperson and ambassador for Bombay Sapphire Gin. This opportunity was presented to him in 2002 by his friend Larry Ruvo, now senior managing director of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Nevada. Oscar was still mayor at the time and couldn't personally accept the $100,000 stipend that went along with the honor, so it was arranged that $50,000 per year would go to support the homeless in the valley and $50,000 would go to The Meadows School.
This worked out perfectly—Oscar had always been a gin drinker, and his signature martini was a little different from the ordinary. It simply consists of gin and a jalapeño. Carolyn created a how-to video for National Martini Day in June. According to the video this martini has no vermouth and no olive or onion garnish, but instead a whole jalapeño with a small tip of the end cut off. She also suggests shaking the gin with the shaker sideways rather than up and down, "This way is better," she says. "This way is faster and it makes it colder."
Oscar's huge personality is also a plus for Bombay Sapphire Gin. When asked if he had always been such a showman with such a strong outgoing personality, he said, "My mother has told me that I was always this way. My wife has said that I was always this way, but I have to admit, I never saw it."
The original recipe for Bombay Sapphire Gin was created in 1761 and calls for the infusion of ten botanicals. This gin is distilled outside of London and is in a family of three gins: Bombay, Bombay Sapphire and Bombay Sapphire East. Because the process for creating Bombay Sapphire is a vapor infusion, it is an aromatic spirit, but a bit less pungent on the pallet than some.
The Private Oscar
Even though the Goodmans are prominent figures, they value their privacy. Carolyn is reportedly an excellent cook, and many nights they can be found home sharing a private dinner. They spend time with their four children and six grandchildren, who all live in Vegas, and just celebrated the wedding of one of their sons.
Oscar reads voraciously—between the hours of two and five every morning—finishing several books each week. He reads almost exclusively fictional mysteries and has just completed Knife by Jo Nesbo. He enjoys Scandinavian moire such as Stieg Larson's "Millennium" series that begins with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. He listens to classical music, and admittedly the only exercise he gets is raising a martini glass on a daily basis.
Everyone who knows Oscar has heard him say that he tries to live each day to the fullest. In his life, he has been a Fuller Brush salesman, a janitor in Harlem, a salesman of men's shoes in a department store and an elevator operator. He will tell you that he did those jobs to the best of his ability and enjoyed them all, saying, "If I found myself in a job I didn't enjoy, I looked for something else."
Let's all salute Oscar's 80th by raising a martini glass of Bombay Sapphire—preferably with a jalapeño with the tip cut off inserted!
Gael Hees is a Las Vegas freelancer, and founder of the blog, The Steamy Side of Vegas, Living the Spa Life. She writes for national publications and has won numerous awards for printed materials and videos. Follow her at steamysideofvegas.com or email, gael.hees@icloud.com with questions, suggestions or comments.
Related Articles ›
It's a timeless saying. 'The customer is always right.' When in doubt, give the customer what they want, because they're the ones that support your business and allow you Read more ›
Ben Brown on Aug 11, 2019
What's Brewing
Photos by David Mulvihill Firkfest Firkfest, the annual festival that pays tribute to cask-conditioned ale, returned to Farmer's Park (Anaheim Packing District) on June 29. Traditional cask-conditioned beer begins the brewing Read more ›
David Mulvihill on Aug 11, 2019
Starward Nova Australian Whiskey We're used to hearing about whiskey from Ireland, Scotland, the US and now Japan, but how about Australia? Starward is made in Melbourne, and the distillery is putting Read more ›
Bob Barnes on Aug 11, 2019
Spirits Confidential with Max Solano
Last month we covered some amazing and diverse gins from various geographical regions throughout the world. This month, I decided to continue riding this gin train and cover some Read more ›
Max Solano on Aug 11, 2019
Foodie Biz
Art Beyond the Glass Sees Fanciful Libation Celebration Photos by Ben Brown Art Beyond the Glass saw another successful year, bringing together a lively community of LA's bar and beverage professionals Read more ›
Photos by Tom Donoghue He calls himself the world's happiest mayor (now former mayor), and when you meet him, you...
Gael Hees | August 2019
It's a timeless saying. 'The customer is always right.' When in doubt, give the customer what they want, because...
Ben Brown | August 2019
Photos by David Mulvihill Firkfest Firkfest, the annual festival that pays tribute to cask-conditioned ale, returned to Farmer's Park (Anaheim Packing...
David Mulvihill | August 2019
Starward Nova Australian Whiskey We're used to hearing about whiskey from Ireland, Scotland, the US and now Japan, but how...
Bob Barnes | August 2019
Last month we covered some amazing and diverse gins from various geographical regions throughout the world. This month, I...
Max Solano | August 2019
Art Beyond the Glass Sees Fanciful Libation Celebration Photos by Ben Brown Art Beyond the Glass saw another successful year, bringing...
Twinkle Toast
photo by Erincooperphotography.com Dumping out wine that has gone bad from being open too long is always a sad event....
Erin Cooper & Christine Vanover | August 2019
Operational systems from the back of the house to the front of the house are the only way for...
David Scott Peters | August 2019
In Coronado or San Diego Area? Dine at Primavera!
photos courtesy Primavera Ristorante I was in Coronado recently and had an absolutely fabulous meal. In the heart of the...
Shelley Stepanek | August 2019
Wine Talk with Alice Swift
Have you ever taken the time to think about where your wine comes from and how it gets to...
Alice Swift | August 2019
Chef Talk
I'm not sure how many people are aware of the Basque traditions that have carried over into the United...
Allen Asch | August 2019
Human Resources Insights
I think that in many ways we get too comfortable in our lives and environment. When we haven't been...
Linda Westcott-Bernstein | August 2019
Brett's Vegas View
ENTERTAINMENT photo by Mark Seliger Keith Urban will reopen The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with his "Graffiti U World Tour" on Sept. 6 and 7 marking...
Jackie Brett | August 2019
It Will Make Your Lips Smack
photos courtesy LIPSMACKING Foodie Tours Needless to say, our expectations were sky high after our first experience with Donald Contursi's...
Lisa Matney | August 2019
Newsletter About Contact Advertise
© 2020 The SoCal Food and Beverage Professional


Look also at Presentations with video and slides introducing OrientDB.
Take a look at GraphDB comparison and DocumentDB comparison. Download the Benchmark PDF XGDBench: A Benchmarking Platform for Graph Stores in Exascale Clouds by Tokyo Institute of Technology and IBM Research.
Start learning OrientDB by following the first Tutorial.


text:
This page is Best Viewed in landscape mode (sideways)
Thanks for stopping by. You are currently logged in as a Guest
To join our euchre community, please Register or Log in
Menu (open/close)?
Home Page (o/c)? Home
Euchre Forum (o/c)? Community
General Euchre Discussion Forums
Beginners and Casual Players Forum
Learn about our community forun
OhioEuchre Sign up
Tips Info (o/c)? Tips
Play according to Hoyle
Euchre Rules (o/c)? Euchre
Euchre Lessons (o/c)? Euchre
The Psychology of Euchre
Euchre Quiz (o/c)? Euchre
Euchre Books (o/c)? Euchre
Euchre Errors (o/c)? Euchre
Host Event (o/c)? Host
DIY Euchre Tournament Score keeper
Workshop (o/c)? Euchre
Photo Gallery (o/c)? Photo
Picture Gallery Page 1
Showdown Tourney 2011
Triple Crown winners 2012
Contact / Links (o/c)? Contact
Euchre Rules from 1877, section 2
As established by the leading players in the U.S.
Last update on: Dec 21, 2016
6) The Privilege of each Player
The trump being turned, the first player on the left of the dealer must do one of the three following - pass, order up the trump, or play it alone - the latter including the second. Should he do either of the last two, the dealer has the right to discard one of his cards and take the trump card in its place. Should the partner of the first player so elect, he may, on the first player having ordered up the trump, declare that he will play it alone, whether the first player has said alone or not; in the former case he shall say, " I take it out of your hands," or words to that effect; but said partner must announce his intention to play it alone before the first player has led. Should the first player "pass," the second player (the dealers partner) has the same privileges that the first player had, the term for ordering up the trump in his case being usually called "assisting;" and the dealer, in the event of his partner assisting, or announcing that he will play it alone, has the right to play it alone, provided that he declares that he will do so before he has discarded and the first player has led. Should the second player pass, the third player has the same privileges that the first player had; but the first player cannot play it alone on his partner's ordering up the trump, or declaring that he will play it alone. Should the third player pass, the dealer may take it up (by discarding a card), declare to play it alone (which includes taking it up), or turn it down. Should the dealer take it up, he can say "alone" at any time before he has discarded and his left-hand adversary has played. Should the dealer turn down the trump, he shall take the trump card from the top of the pack and shall put it at the bottom; face exposed, where-upon the first player on his left has the privilege of naming any one of the other three suits as trumps, or of passing. Should he do the former, and wish to play it alone, he must say "alone at," or "alone," with no interval between the words - failing to do which, either of his adversaries may compel him to play it with his partner; - with this exception, that his partner has the right to play it alone at the suit named, if he so declare before the first player has led. Should the first player pass, the second player and his partner have the same privileges respectively that the first and third have just had. Should the second player pass, the third has the same privileges that the first and second had, and should he pass, the dealer has them. Should the dealer pass, the deal is over and passes to the next player on the left.
Note. - The right of a player to play alone is the same the second time around as the first and the same rules govern.
Should any player, after the trump has been turned down, say that he makes it the suit which has been turned down, either by mistake or otherwise, it shall be considered that he has passed, and the right of making it shall be lost to him.
If both the dealer's opponents pass and the dealer turns down the trump, or if on the second time round both pass and the dealer throws his cards in the pack, the fact that his partner has said nothing makes no difference.
7) General Note on Playing Alone.
No player can play alone unless he or his partner has ordered up or taken up the trump, or has made the trump
No player having passed a trump can play it alone at that trump, and no player who has passed a second time can play it alone during that deal
8) One Option only allowed
8) One Option only allowed. No player shall have two options at the same suit, and a player having announced what he will do, cannot change, nor add anything to, his declaration; and no player having "assisted" can afterward play it alone
9) The Play
The trump having been made, the first player who is playing on the left of the dealer, must lead one of his cards, it being optional with him to lead what he chooses (except as provided in Section 12). Each other player, who is playing, must then in his turn follow suit if he can. If he cannot follow suit, he may play any card that he sees fit (except as provided in Section 12), When the last player, who, in this instance, will be the dealer, provided his partner is not playing alone, has played, one of the side which played the best card on the trick shall gather it, and the player who played the best card shall lead, and this shall continue until all the cards are played, when the next player on the left of the dealer becomes dealer. Should a player, whose partner is not playing alone, throw the whole or a part of his cards in the pack, the opposite side shall be entitled to count all that they could have counted had they taken all five tricks, provided they claim the said count at once.
If a player leads out of turn, any one of the other players may call upon him to take back his card and leave it on the table as an exposed card, provided that neither of the adversaries of the player making the mistake can force him to do so after one of them has played on the mislead, nor can his partner do so after playing on it himself.
* Index *
Euchre rules established 1877-page - 1
The OhioEuchre Community Forum
Just like talking Euchre with like-minded individuals? Have a question on how to play a particular hand? Would like to share your expertise with other Euchre players from around the world? The OhioEuchre forum is designed just for you.
Just learning? Our forum includes a entire section dedicated to those that are new to Euchre.
Click here to visit our forum
Not yet a member of our community?
Sign-up Here, There is no cost.
Copyright © 2009 - 2022 Dlan Design, All Rights Reserved


The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Bloomington is located off of Indiana State Road 37, soon to be I-69, at the Third Street exit. The beautiful Indiana University campus is just minutes away. Crane Naval Base and General Motors are close by and easily accessible. Cook Medical, Baxter, Indiana University Health, Boston Scientific, Nash Finch and downtown Bloomington, IN are also nearby. Our hotel is the place to be for events and attractions like Indiana University football and basketball, Lotus Festival, Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, Oliver Winery, Little 500 & visits to Brown County, Indiana. Our hotel offers a casually elegant atmosphere with spacious suites featuring fully-equipped kitchens. Stay connected using our free WiFi and start your day energized with our complimentary hot breakfast buffet including healthy and indulgent items. Relax in our seasonal outdoor pool or enjoy a night on the town. Our great offerings with excellent service will be sure to make your stay more than enjoyable.
TownePlace Suites offers a variety of suites, including two bedroom suites as large as 624 square feet for extra space and comfort.
Bloomington's only hotel with fully equipped kitchens including a stove/oven, dishwasher and full size refrigerator.
Newly renovated extended stay hotel close to Indiana University, Crane Naval Base and General Motors.


We are extremely proud of our many alumni worldwide. Please share your opinions and thoughts with us by completing our alumni survey, and help us stay connected by keeping your contact information current. We encourage you to visit often to keep up with Lane Department news and events!
The Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering is grateful to its alumni and friends for their support of scholarships that are available to students currently enrolled in the Department. A complete listing of all endowed scholarships in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources can be found by clicking here.


text:
Neil Van Leeuwen
A quote: "He who eats the bread and drinks the cup with an unbelieving heart eats and drinks judgment upon himself." This line is from the communion liturgy of the Church I grew up in—the Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The word "judgment" in the quote is a way of saying "damnation to Hell". The word "unbelieving" refers to disbelief in the core metaphysical doctrines of the Church. The effect of regular repetition of lines like this in the service is to strike fear in the person who may be questioning such doctrines. Fear in turn squelches inquiry and creative thought. I was only eight years old when I first heard that line and understood what it meant.
The point of this blog is not to criticize religious beliefs. I think many are wrong, many right, and many we just can't know about. My focus is rather on the character of the "belief formation process" inherent in much religious practice. The phrase "belief formation process" will refer broadly to the way that beliefs in a human mind come about, are maintained, or are extinguished (or not). We all have beliefs, which have to get there somehow.
I choose this focus because I suspect my experience with the Grand Rapids CRC is representative of what goes on in a much broader spectrum of religions. This topic is also timely for Philosophy Talk, since we're approximately halfway between our show on the existence of God and our upcoming show on the intelligent design argument. I also think that although particular religious beliefs have been much discussed and criticized, there still needs to be clearer discussion and criticism of the mental pathways by which such beliefs characteristically arise and are maintained. My view is that the a-rational nature of the religious belief formation process is pernicious and ultimately more destructive than any individual religious belief, or system of beliefs, taken by itself. That process critically involves self-deception.
There is, to start, a beautiful thing about being human. We're equipped with senses, capacities for reasoning and logical comparison, and an imaginative faculty for generating new ideas. The beautiful thing is that just by our getting up in the morning and walking around the capacities we have compel us to the generation of new knowledge and more subtle beliefs. The data that come to our senses because of our daily actions spark our reasoning capacities to call out for explanation; our imagination answers with the generation of ideas that, if all goes well, provide answers. This is how detailed knowledge of nature—individual plants and animals, and systems of them—has come about in so many diverse human societies. The particular answers and beliefs will come and go—if one belief doesn't work, another takes its place—but the beautiful thing is the process and the nature we have that allows us to participate in it. Let's call this the healthy belief formation process; it's driven by curiosity.
The process of religious belief formation stands in stark contrast. Let's return to the quote I started with. There's no doubt that the repetition of such threatening lines has played a role in the formation of many religious beliefs. But how? Those lines provide no evidence of their claims. Why should they bring about belief?
The first thing to note is the vilification of unbelievers. Those with an unbelieving heart will be judged, for, presumably, they've done something (morally?) wrong. The vilification of unbelievers threatens exclusion from the group to anyone on the fence. And then there's the fear of Hell that's engendered. The net effect of the vilification and fear is that a desire to believe comes about in the mind. " . . . eats and drinks judgment upon himself." I certainly had such a desire in my youth.
Once there is a desire to believe the metaphysical doctrines of the religion, the mind is ripe for self-deception. Self-deception has essentially two components. First, a person forms a belief in violation of his usual standards of evidence and judgment—what philosophers call epistemic norms. Second, a desire with content related to the content of the belief causes the deviation from the healthy belief formation process. Because vilification, fear, and desire bring about the religious credence—while that credence is at odds with usual standards of judgment—the process by which religious beliefs come about is one of self-deception. (For a similar view, see this piece by Georges Rey.)
A religious advocate might respond that I've gotten it all wrong, that it's direct encounter with the spirit of God that brings about religious belief. But then why is religious practice so full of methods that have the precise effect of establishing credence by a-rational means? The singing, the chanting, the repetition of lines that vilify unbelief, the stress on believing only on faith? Surely the existence of such methods is no coincidence. And even if some have been touched by something divine, surely there are many who formed their religious beliefs in response to the constant pressures of liturgy. And that's the religious belief formation process I'm talking about.
What exactly is wrong with this process? First, it's at odds with the healthy belief formation process. It stagnates and undermines the healthy process just when it could be most beneficial to reflecting on our core beliefs and values. Fear, not curiosity, is the driving force. By representing as evil disbelief in any of a long and specific list of doctrines, the factors involved in the religious belief formation process cause us to disengage with the normal and healthy creative process of belief generation and revision. Persons attending a religious ceremony are made to fear the prospect that something else might strike them as true. The mind loses its flexibility. Consider some examples. How else could the belief that the earth is at the center of the universe persist for so long in the face of Galileo's new evidence? How else could members of a church that canonized a woman, Joan of Arc, for her leadership hold the belief that women are categorically unfit to lead congregations? Why do evangelicals who have seen pictures of the changed color of the peppered moth believe natural selection has never occurred? How else should we explain the belief at high levels in the Catholic Church that it's wrong to teach about and distribute sexual protection in a South Africa crippled by AIDS? Responsiveness to reality is needed here. But that's precisely what the religious belief formation process lacks. The beautiful thing about the human mind is undermined.
Why else do I think the religious belief formation process itself is worse than any particular belief? As I've been stressing, I think the healthy belief formation process is central to our humanity; it's a tragedy for that to be undermined. But as importantly, human actions take on a vicious and inflexible character when they are driven by beliefs that are unresponsive to reality. The problem with Crusaders and Jihadists is not primarily that they think their enemies are evil; it's that their beliefs are unresponsive to being moved by the simple humanity of their victims. One belief can explain a skirmish, but it takes a degenerate, self-deceptive belief formation process to explain the systematic maintenance of a set of beliefs underlying a Crusade. Other examples are abundant: the Inquisition, the longtime inability of the Catholic Church to respond appropriately to child molestation by its clergy (how could we fire someone ordained by God?), and the malicious condemnations of Jerry Falwell (and those who listen to and act on them), to name a few. All these cases involve false beliefs that would have been changed by a simple bit of responsiveness to reality if they hadn't been insulated by the religious belief formation process. Dogmatically held beliefs give rise to destructive behaviors. The further danger is that acceptance of such a degenerate belief formation process can spread and lead to wider corruption of our cognitive economy.
So what of the intelligent design argument, the argument that posits an intelligent creator to explain the ordered complexity of life in the natural world? It's fine; these criticisms don't touch it. I don't think it ultimately works; nor does it fall in the domain of science. But I wish all religious thinking had such a rational character. The reasoning involved in that argument is an instance of the healthy belief formation process in action. We'd all be better off if religious people thought so rationally all the time.
What, finally, of faith? I know of two ways in which the word "faith" is used—one pernicious, one laudable. At its worst, "faith" is used rhetorically to bring about a-rational, unreflective credence in what the "wise" men of the Church would have you believe. I think I've said enough already to indicate what I think is wrong with this kind of "faith." But the word is also used in another sense. Faith in this sense is the action-guiding confidence that good will come about if we pursue goodness uncompromisingly. Having this kind of faith is consistent with uncertainty about what the good, in terms of outcome, will ultimately be. And, despite what religious leaders may suggest, having this faith is also consistent with active questioning of religious dogma. In short, faith in this sense is not opposed to intellectual curiosity.
Saturday, January 7, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
I have two comments on this posting. First, unlik
I have two comments on this posting.
First, unlike Mr Van Leeuwen, although I probably qualify as an unbeliever, I am not threatened by the admonition that the communicant ?who eats the bread and drinks the cup with an unbelieving heart eats and drinks judgment upon himself.? Indeed if 'God' fails to cast judgement on such a hypocrite then I might be happy to step in as 'his' surrogate. But actually as I interpret the passage that won't be necessary, because I suspect that the threat is correct in that the false communicant stands judged more in his own heart than by either 'God' or man.
Of course this is not to deny that the religious "belief formation process" is often tainted by threat - if not of damnation then at least of social penalties. And in fact that mechanism (of social pressure to engage in hypocritical behaviour which then brings moral pressure to rationalize belief with that behaviour) may be little more than a variation on the theme that is being put forward by Mr Van Leeuwen.
However, I do not believe it is fair to say that the religious belief formation process is *always* so tainted, and in fact, rather than use the means to unjustify the end, I would suggest that it is the end - namely beliefs that lack "Responsiveness to reality" which is the main problem.
And to that end, my second comment is perhaps more relevant.
Mr Van Leeuwen states that "We all have beliefs, which have to get there somehow." But if by "beliefs" he means anything similar to religious beliefs in strength (and imperviousness to reality), then I believe (in the weaker sense) that he is wrong.
Monday, January 9, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
Each man stands alone before God. They judge them
Each man stands alone before God. They judge themselves. They know the truth. They know whether they have drank the cup of christ (the truth) correctly. It is kind of like doing math. You know when you don't understand a formula. You know when you have to present that formula before a class how well you have done understanding it. Hell is a state of mind.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
As I understand it, there are two kinds of beliefs
As I understand it, there are two kinds of beliefs being discussed here; those that arise via the senses from direct experience and those that are either intuited or received from a trusted source. Phrased this way, the issue ceases to be one of just religious indoctrination, but includes also education in the wisdom of Mao, the righteousness of the Republican party or the infallibility of the scientific method. In films of Nazi rallies, or the beautiful coordinated movements of masses of North Koreans at a public event, it is clear that one is viewing a ritual of worship.
Mass rituals, such as political rallies, sports events or worship are not inherently wrong, whatever trappings they may contain, but should be gauged by whether they enhance or detract from the lives of the faithful. I think that watching football is a waste of time, but I wouldn?t deprive anyone else of the ecstatic communion of the Superbowl.
One may have a reasonable faith, while lacking a single stick of evidence to prove it. String theory is based on elegant mathematical proofs, yet it makes no predictions, is unfalsifiable and unsupported by observation or experiment. Unless it meets any of those conditions, it will cease to be viable science, regardless of whether it may be true.
At the same time, religious faith need not lie beyond the realm of empirical proof. For instance, take the teaching ?Love thy neighbor.? One can level all kinds of rational arguments against it like ?What if your neighbor?s a child molester, a wife beater or has robbed your house?? The person of faith may reply ?In such case, he is in even more need of compassion and understanding.? Perhaps our believer is naïve, but his belief is testable and can be verified by personal experience and observation. Would living his "truth", make you a better person or a glutton for punishment?
What about condemnation of unbelievers? As a society, we do much worse then condemn violators to an imaginary hell, we lock them up in a real one. We impose demands upon one another to respect tribal custom, regardless of whether our laws are an offense to the individual?s sexual orientation, moral sense, or beliefs about right relation to the natural world. It?s our communal way or the highway! The religious have not cornered the market on judging good and evil.
The world would likely be a better place if everyone were a Socrates, confessing ignorance and searching out constructive dialogue with those of an opposite mind. Instead, we tend to club together in mobs of like mind, raising the ramparts around ourselves, to keep out the barbarians who dare to differ.
Faith and reason are not opposed, but complementary. A scientist puts her faith in the scientific method, and the belief that our minds do not hopelessly distort our picture of reality. A sincere believer in God, seeks an embodied and living faith, not a musty superstition of mind. When Newton and Leibnitz discovered the calculus, they trusted their inner eye and bore in their fertile minds a new gospel of mathematics. And, when Moses brought down the tablets from Mt. Sinai, he gave that unruly mob of ex-slaves a practical set of guidelines to help bind them together in community.
Thursday, January 12, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
Many thanks to you three for the comments. There a
Many thanks to you three for the comments. There are three questions they raise in my mind that I'd like to address.
1. Does religious belief formation *always* go by the process I identified? (Alan Cooper seems to take it to be a criticism of my post that it doesn't.)
2. Are there other contexts aside from religion in which the process I call religious belief formation arises? (David Chilstrom raises this issue.)
3. Who's to blame for such corruption of the healthy belief formation process? (This question is raised by the beginning of Alan's comments.)
The answer to the first question is clearly "no," and I suggest as much in my original post. I think it's possible that people become convinced that there's an intelligent designer--perhaps even one who should be worshiped--by simple reflection on the complex beauty of the natural world. Of course, I'm not convinced by this sort of reasoning, but what this shows is that not all religious beliefs are formed in the pernicious way that I focus on.
Turning to the second question, I think that there are certainly many other contexts of belief formation outside of religion that prey upon people's self-deceptive capacities in the way I describe. Any sort of ideological group setting can give us examples--Nazi rallies, KKK rallies, Communist demonstrations, and NRA conventions. Given such examples *outside* religion, you might think that I was too quick to coin the phrase "religious belief formation process" to refer to the process I describe. Of course, that ends up being a merely terminological point, but one with implications for how my argument will be received. In the end, however, I don't think I was too hasty with my terminology: the process I identify is characteristic enough of religious belief formation to deserve the title I give. I would also add that the examples of other ideological contexts help prove my greater point: *this* kind of process of belief formation is really bad--in religion and elsewhere.
Finally, who's to blame? Alan seems to be suggesting that it is the fault of the "hypocrite" who puts himself in such religious contexts. There is some truth to this; I think that certainly by adulthood people should take responsibility for their own manner of cognition. The problem is that indoctrination starts at a very young age; this undermines the healthy belief formation process in people before they even have the chance to take responsibility for their own cognition. What religion and other ideological systems do is habituate minds early to a self-deceptive belief formation process; my conjecture is that, once this takes hold, the wider cognitive economy becomes more corrupt and susceptible to such processes in other contexts as well. If this is true, then religion can be a corrupter of young minds.
One of the dubious premises of this article is the
One of the dubious premises of this article is the presumption that religious belief employs a peculiar form of self deception. In reality, self deception always kicks in whenever anyone is confronted with data which conflicts with a deeply held belief. For instance, two years ago John and Ken had on the program cosmologist George Ellis, who enunciated the Anthropic Principle, which essentially states that the probability of a universe like ours, so precisely tuned to permit the existence of life, is infinitesimally small. The most logical inference to draw from the data is to posit an intelligence of some sort, with life in mind at the get go, or a multiverse scenario where ours is one of an infinite number of possible universes. As Ellis stated, the problem with the multiverse theory is that it has no scientific validity, as the existence of other universes cannot be proved or disproved. Ken?s response was that our existence is just a matter of incredible luck and that we don?t have to posit a Creator to explain the nature of the universe.
While Ken and many other rational thinkers willingly accept incredible luck as sufficient reason for our existence, like most people, they are deeply skeptical when it comes to an excess of luck at the card table or to an uncanny resemblance their children might bear to a close friend. Normal, well reasoning skeptics, toss reason to the wind whenever its application generates an extreme of cognitive dissonance. Everyone does this, even very smart philosophers like Ken.
Were we truly rational creatures, we would examine more closely our philosophical premises when presented with evidence that throws them into doubt. Instead, we tend to shrug our shoulders and dismiss the damning data as woefully flawed or wrongly interpreted. What confirms my preexisting beliefs passes through the polarizing filter of my consciousness unhindered, while that which seriously challenges them is rendered invisible or irrelevant.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
Mr. Chilstrom, Your "essential" statement of th
Mr. Chilstrom,
Your "essential" statement of the Anthropic Principle in the comment above seems a tad bit confused.
The principle itself states: If something must be true for us, as humans, to exist; then it is true simply because we exist. The principle deals with sentient observers making conclusions about the universe based upon an "appropriately positioned" point of observation. It's about the interpretation of existence as influenced by the observation selection effect rather than the probability of existence. A subtle but important distinction.
The principle doesn't prove anything. It simply illustrates insurmountable biases in our metaphysical inquiries. The Intelligent Design advocate addresses this problem with the conclusion that this bias was intended by a benevolent being who wants to be known. Whether or not this proves anything is still philosophically debatable.
I do agree that threat is often used to promote re
I do agree that threat is often used to promote religious belief formation and I hope I was not seen as overly critical of what I actually found to be a very interesting discussion.
My "criticism" is less of the validity of the point than of the strategy of argumentation. It seems to me that by initially appearing to identify the threating context as characteristic of "the" religious belief formation process you may lose the attention of anyone who feels that "that is not consistent with *my* religious belief formation process" - and so you might end up "preaching to the choir" once again.
My suggestion is that by acknowledging at the outset that this is just *one* mode of religious belief formation, you might draw in more readers to see and agree with the thesis that building a religion by threatening children is not to be admired.
I would then also add that saying ?He who eats the bread and drinks the cup with an unbelieving heart eats and drinks judgment upon himself? to an 8-year-old is equivalent to threatening him or her with something horrible. But I still believe that to a sophisticated and morally conscious adult that sentence is not a threat but merely a statement of reality. For example, if I were to participate in a religious communion, that would be an act of conscious duplicity. It might be justified for strategic reasons, but I would certainly be remiss if I failed to judge myself.
Friday, January 20, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
The unlearned digression: Briefly reading this
The unlearned digression:
Briefly reading this post as well as the meta-atheism hypothesis, I generally agree.
However, not knowing much more of "epistemic norm" or the "belief formation process" than what I personally have pondered (and just read), I struggle to think that religious understanding and the understanding of standard science follow the same criteria towards belief. (?) If standard science is the taken perspective on "ultimate belief", certainly "faith" is self-deception. But then is not faith, "at some level", a healthy provocative to science and broadening perspective. Without science faith diminishes, without faith, science likewise.
And is not Georges Rey's hypothesis both strong and week when claiming "..at SOME LEVEL they KNOW FULL WELL.."?
It seems to me that the key to the hypothesis? survival is at "some level". ? Sheltered by the complexity of the cognitive. As goes for "they know full well"??
Self-deception must somehow (closely) be linked to outward-deception or ?display:
If faith is adhesive doubt and doubt is constantly fought with faith. Then the outward outcome is (very often) "the OVERCOME".
My understanding is that the "doubt-aspect" of faith is pragmatically, rhetorically tabu - in spite of religious acceptance of human doubt.
Regarding the (strongest) example the crusades, the "pernicious faith" seemingly develops as soon as the religious representatives establish a belief formation which surpasses the healthy core of the religion becoming a pretentious, excessive faith. Remaining incomprehensive to the present "us".
Leaving the unnatural, turning to the natural(?): I?m thinking that we both inwardly and outwardly strive towards the "strong, ultimate belief/understanding". Therefore I?d say deception is inevitable in evolution and progress. ? Still in agreement that it is an unhealthy contradiction.
(Don?t quite no what I?m getting at. Suppose this comment is mainly me thinking whilst writing this.)
Still, I?d like to add the following claim: "at some level we are all, inevitably self-deceptive" ? the danger is as you say, when it remains, collective, with lesser deviation ? therefore lesser evolution (towards the healthier "general opinion").
Any good url-links to further reading on "epistemic norm" or "belief formation process"?
I welcome your replies in hope of improving my understanding.
Sunday, January 22, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
Regarding incredible luck... If the universe co
Regarding incredible luck...
If the universe collapses on itself every so often, and then a big bang occurs and things happen differently (assuming we don't end up in some kind of cycle) then we are indeed very likely to have incredible luck.
Many thanks to all for this additional round of co
Many thanks to all for this additional round of comments. I'll respond to each separately.
First, to David Chilstrom: I never said that self-deception is peculiar to religious belief formation. Of course it happens in other contexts! But I think religion and other ideological contexts are especially effective in creating environments that are effective at preying on human propensities for self-deception. You note that self-deception happens elsewhere and is common. Is that point supposed to *defend* self-deception in religion? I hope not.
Second, Jenni: Thanks for clarifying the anthropic principle. You sound like a philosopher. Are you? I tend to agree that there's not much solid we can conclude from fine tuning. The tuning of the constants is improbable. But are we then to posit an even more improbable "intelligence" to "explain" it? Like Wittgetstein says: "Das Mystische ist nicht, *wie* die Welt existiert, sondern, *dass* sie existiert." ("The mysterious is not, *how* the world exists, rather, *that* it exists.")
Third, to Alan Cooper: criticism well taken! I'm glad you enjoyed the discussion.
Fourth, to David Michel: an epistemic norm is an abstact schema relating kinds of evidence (as input) to propositions (output) it might justify. The schema will classify some inputs as justificatory of certain propositions; others not. (This is just one way of thinking about epistemic norms.) Belief formation processes are mental pathways by which beliefs arise. When a belief formation process causally reflects pattern of justification in epistemic norm, we can say it's rational. Sometimes I use the locution epistemic norm to refer to the belief formation process itself that instantiates the norm. For further resources, go to:
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epistemology/ .
Finally, to Andrew: good point! (Next time be sure to cite Aristotle, who made a very similar point long ago in the Poetics: "It is likely that unlikely things happen from time to time.")
Friday, February 3, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
Neil, thank you for this discussion on religious s
Neil, thank you for this discussion on religious self-deception-- self-deception is something I have struggled with all my life, and well-written and -reasoned articles like your own have helped me tremendously in my personal development. Thank you. Thank you.
Secondly, I have an idea for a reality television show of sorts. It involves a beautiful mansion in the Los Angeles area with tennis courts, an Olympic swimming pool, a rock wall... the works. Eight people who have never met live their lives for a year in this home, all followed by hidden cameras.
The catch? All eight are mentally disabled, free to roam without supervision. The show will be called 'Tards, and will be intended for cable broadcast so that the boundaries are relaxed. For example, one episode might be centered around learning how to cook, or skeet shooting. Let me know what you think of this, and tell me about its philosophical implications.
Luigi Bordeaux
Saturday, May 6, 2006 -- 5:00 PM
My perspective changed completely when I starte
My perspective changed completely when I started trying to involve Jesus in my life. I realized that, because of Jesus, I had way to talk to the God who made the universe, and that the God who owns and controls the universe listens to me. It's worth anything to have that. Jesus said 'Come to Me everyone who labors and carries heavy burdens, and I will give you rest'. He said that to people who were living with heavy religious guilt.
Having grown up in a religious home, I was exposed
Having grown up in a religious home, I was exposed to a great deal of fear/subjective-guilt-based theology, which is really the deleterious distortion of doctrine to fit the needs of a particular religious leader to control and dominate members of his/her congregation. When I read in the New Testament about the various human interactions Jesus had with people from all walks of life, I am struck by his gentle spirit. His style of leadership was marked by drawing people to himself and not driving them to him.
I tried to depict this sort of gracious characteristic of Christ in the following song:
Turn to Me
words and music by Bruce L. Thiessen, aka Dr. BLT
(c)2006
http://www.drblt.net/music/Turntome.mp3
Tuesday, October 31, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
Hello Niel, Interesting thoughts! I am a sort o
Hello Niel,
Interesting thoughts! I am a sort of philosopher. Could you please give me your definition of self-deception?
Ontological Realist
Monday, December 25, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
My own religious beliefs come not from suspending
My own religious beliefs come not from suspending "scientific" judgement but from a koan. A koan provides an interesting way of presenting the language problem. That problem is that we provide the meaning to the world around us and even as a group and in the long run we can not actually know and use that meaning properly. I prefer my answer to the koan which is that we cannot know everything, over the scientific illusion that we can and will someday know everything and once we do we will be OK (whaterer OK means).
Of course, all those who do not hold rigidly to all the pronouncements of science are suspending "scientific" judgement and thus bringing damnation unto themselves.
Friday, December 29, 2006 -- 4:00 PM
Hi all Some very interesting ideas (in what Ive
Some very interesting ideas (in what Ive quickly read so far) yet Im not sure I understand what all the fuss is over.
As cognitively and time limited humans, don't we all form beliefs to resolve uncertainty (Im assuming that most people dont like feeling confused)?
If by self-deception (religious or otherwise) it is meant that we form beliefs that reduce uncertainty even though we dont have concrete evidence (i.e. self-deceive)this is commonplace - particularly for metaphysical questions such as "where did this universe come from?" etc.
But my central point is: humans both seek evidence AND form unfounded beliefs - its not one or the other. Like David Chisholm's earlier comments:
"Faith and reason are not opposed, but complementary. A scientist puts her faith in the scientific method, and the belief that our minds do not hopelessly distort our picture of reality"
Scientists gather data to test ideas which have arisen from theorising (i.e. beliefs/speculation)and use the results to update their beliefs. The idea that either science or faith is error-proof (or even free from self-deception) is highly implausible.
If the religious believers amongst you feel your faith was formed from fear, abuse of power and/or a controlling authority (most likely to be misguided adult caregivers rather than any supernatural being) this is another issue.
This suggests to me that you recognise you are no longer weak / vulnerable children and can think for yourselves (cf Life of Brian). As a result, surely the need for comforting fairytales or scriptural myths are no longer required?
However, even if you accept that fear is a poor basis for belief and recognise you are no longer fearful, this won't spell the end of self-deception. For, as the parable of the Emporer's New Clothes tells us self-deception is often preferable to admitting ignorance.
Monday, October 6, 2008 -- 5:00 PM
For Ontological Realist - from what I know
For Ontological Realist - from what I know Self deception is a dysfunction of the mind that allows individuals to continuously act in a negative manner. Now what is negative or positive is subjected to each individual and to society. We all have our own convictions.
Saturday, November 8, 2008 -- 4:00 PM
I really enjoyed the article, and am glad you took
I really enjoyed the article, and am glad you took the time and thought to write it. Then tenor is calm and non abrasive.
Things I think differ from what was presented:
Christianity does not endorse the A-rational belief forming process formally, if even some do in practice.
I think that this practice of developing belief based entirely on fear innappropriate, and eventually harmful to the believer...
Christians are encouraged to be wise and (Matthew 10:16)
and to study scripture (2timothy 2:15)
Also, the subject of self deception is an interesting one for the Christian especially.
The christian would say that those who deny the God of Christianity are self decieving, and that such a denial destroys epistimology. In other words...We all think and act like there is a God (as a precondition) then non believers deny His existence.
There is a clear and rational way of proving the God of the bible exists, however not every (and in my experience, hardly any) Church is faithful in this regard.
We are to have "childlike" faith in God, trusting in His goodness and power no matter what we think or see, but this how we live our faith, and now how we arrive at, or defend it.
"The Intelligent Design advocate addresses this pr
"The Intelligent Design advocate addresses this problem with the conclusion that this bias was intended by a benevolent being who wants to be known."
No, this bias was intended by a benevolent being who wants to be found. There is a fundamental difference.


Cutaneous reactions, in some cases severe, have been reported with the use of EGFR inhibitors. Monitor patients who develop dermatologic or soft tissue toxicities while receiving these agents for the development of inflammatory or infectious sequelae. It is recommended to withhold treatment, and appropriate measures should be instituted as appropriate or discontinue the use of these agents for dermatologic or soft tissue toxicity associated with severe or life-threatening inflammatory or infectious complications. Advise patients to wear sunscreen and hats and limit sun exposure while receiving therapy with these agents as exposure to sunlight can exacerbate dermatologic toxicities.
The use of some EGFR inhibitors may be associated with gastrointestinal perforation and fatal cases have been reported. Patients receiving concomitant anti-angiogenic agents, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, or taxane-based chemotherapy, or who have prior history of peptic ulceration or diverticular disease may be at increased risk of perforation. Permanently discontinue these agents in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation.
Some epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with ocular disorders such as primary keratitis, ulcerative keratitis, or conjunctivitis. It is recommended to interrupt or discontinue treatment with these agents if patients present with acute or worsening ocular disorders.
The use of certain EGFR inhibitors has been associated with pulmonary toxicity. Serious cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD), including fatal cases and interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis have been reported. Caution is recommended when using these agents in patients with a history of interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis or those patients presenting with acute onset of new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever pending diagnostic evaluation. If ILD is confirmed, permanently discontinue these agents and institute appropriate measures.
Gefitinib undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism. Obtain periodic liver function testing and withhold gefitinib for up to 14 days in patients with worsening liver function (Grade 2 or higher for ALT and/or AST elevations) and resume treatment when the adverse reaction fully resolves or improves to NCI CTCAE Grade 1. Permanently discontinue therapy in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Monitor adverse reactions when gefitinib is administered to patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment.
Less than four percent (<4%) of gefitinib and its metabolites are excreted via the kidney. Population pharmacokinetic analyses suggest that creatinine clearance (above 20 mL/min) has no clinically meaningful effect on predicted steady state trough concentration of gefitinib. No clinical studies were conducted with gefitinib in patients with severe renal impairment.


text:
Matanzas is een gemeente en havenstad in de gelijknamige provincie in het noorden van Cuba, ongeveer 60 km ten oosten van Havana. Matanzas heeft 157.000 inwoners (2015).

De stad ligt aan de Baai van Matanzas, een zeearm van de Golf van Mexico. Hier vond in 1628 de slag in de Baai van Matanzas plaats, waarbij Piet Hein de Zilvervloot veroverde.

Een beeld van Piet Heyn van de hand van de Rotterdamse beeldhouwer Willem Verbon kijkt uit over de baai.

Stedenbanden
  Nizjni Novgorod (Rusland), sinds 2004

Geboren in Matanzas
 J.R. Ramirez (1980), Amerikaans acteur

Stad in Cuba
Matanzas (provincie)
Gemeente in Cuba


Monastics are not at liberty to ask for goods unless someone inquires about what they need with the intention to make an offering. Since a number of lay supporters have expressed the wish to have a list conveniently available online, we are keeping the list below updated for those who wish to know what is currently needed.
Below the list, there is a meal calendar showing blank days as the ones that are available to bring meals for the nuns. Please contact us when you have a date in mind and we will sign you up. If you don't see any available dates, please check again later, as cancellations are common.
If you cannot come in the morning on your day, it's also OK to drop the food off the night before (it will be re-offered the next morning). If you are not local and would like to offer a meal, we can suggest some possible options.
We truly appreciate the kind generosity of everyone supporting KBV in so many ways.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or for an in-kind donation receipt.


This functions prints a block with all replacements done.
Is it necessary to call the parse method before calling the show method or is the parse method only necessary when looping over a single block some number of times? I am having trouble with my main template block showing twice when I call parse on the main block. The documentation here is really not very detailed.