23 Sep

Death of a Kleptomaniac

Kristen Tracy

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Actually defending, as opposed to ignoring, Trump’s faults is beyond the abilities of any mere mortal. Values clarification: A handbook of practical strategies for teachers and students. These clans are subdivided into subclans and into primary lineage groups. You will have a clear conscience because you can respect yourself. Cost-benefit analysis remains a viable decision procedure. Ruling person: Low social interest and high degree of activity. Somali National University in Mogadishu, founded in 1970, was the nation's principal university before the civil war.

Pages: 272

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (October 30, 2012)

ISBN: 1423127528

The idea of human flourishing is inclusive and can encompass a wide variety of constitutive ends such as knowledge, the development of character traits, productive work, religious pursuits, community building, love, charitable activities, allegiance to persons and causes, self-efficacy, material well-being, pleasurable sensations, etc http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/under-threat-orca-soundings. No extended order of spontaneous cooperation could provide either the knowledge or the incentives that arise within the intimate experience of families. The reasons that justify private families--because parents have the most knowledge of their children and the strongest incentives to care properly for their children--are comparable to the reasons that justify private property, because private property owners have the knowledge and the incentives to care best for that property http://wanyuanltd.com/library/ring-of-truth. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus and namesake of this university, continues to guide Loyola as it strives to lead students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends forward to the promise of an examined life of intellectual, social and spiritual discernment. In pursuing these goals, Loyola asserts a bold ambition: that the University will be the leading Catholic comprehensive university in the United States , cited: http://trilingualtranslationsllc.com/freebooks/infatuate-a-gilded-wings-novel-book-two. With access to the entire prison, the filmmaker captured the stories of corrections officers as well as the inmates, including drug lords, "lifers," with no possibliity of parole, and prisoners convicted of leading prison riots. DVD 5997 Explore capital punishment through the story of Clifford Boggess, a 30-year-old who spent almost a decade on death row , source: http://dompetmurahonline.joojoo-store.com/lib/harsh-pink-color-me-burned-true-colors-series-12. Those who find the “road to riches” closed to them experience anomie, because an obstacle has thwarted their pursuit of a socially approved goal. When this happens, these individuals may employ deviant behaviors to attain their goals, retaliate against society, or merely “make a point.” The primary contribution of anomie theory is its ability to explain many forms of deviance ref.: http://wanyuanltd.com/library/into-the-wilderness-blood-of-the-lamb.

The following tips should help you develop a list that you and your kids can stand by: Consider writing a mission statement that addresses your core family value, whether it be peacefully resolving conflict, being kind and loyal or working hard ref.: http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/keeker-and-the-sneaky-pony-book-1-in-the-sneaky-pony-series. Those that love wealth o'er much, 'tis said, their wealth will soon be lost. One that neglects a father soon will rue it to his cost. These virtues to the world are as linchpin to chariot wheel. These lacking, still a mother's name to children would appeal. A mother like the sire should with reverent honor be crowned, Sages approve the man in whom those virtues may be found , cited: http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/making-out-25-dont-forget-lara-making-out-avon-paperback. This disorderly crew had for their nominal leader a gentleman rich in pedigree, but poor enough in understanding to suffer himself to be made the tool of such a mob. At the same time, it must be admitted, the measures used to quell the rioters in the beginning were of a most improper complexion http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/what-would-emma-do.
Comitas – "humour" – ease of manner, courtesy, openness, and friendliness. Constantia – "perseverance" – military stamina, as well as general mental and physical endurance in the face of hardship http://orlandounfiltered.com/books/how-its-done. My friends are my source of comfort during tough times as well as celebrating partners through good times http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/dangerous-decisions-and-hidden-choices-summit-high. The historian and poet Martial makes mention of them and a relief in the British Museum depicts women fighting in the arena http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/transcendent. In this way, wisdom is the central part of virtue. Plato realized that because virtue was synonymous with wisdom it could be taught, a possibility he had earlier discounted http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/fiddlesticks-cul-de-sac-kids-book-11. The first respondent, while observing that families could hold either *gaod" or "bad" values, stated unequivocally that her own values are "based on laws that God has set up in his word* and Judged that "America is not really doing very well as far as family values,* Far from being a relativist herself, the woman who defined family values as simply a set of morals a family lives by also believes 3 4 Beyond Family Values that America has a "spiritual problem" In the area of values, because "people are just winging it — they don't have guidelines." The specific sin is thus the adultery that almost inevitably follows the sundering of the union (Mt 5:31-32; 19:3-9). Second, arid more significant for our purposes, note how Adene understands sin itself; it Is "going against what's best for us and who we're created to be." Grant, wife of the local vicar, himself an old-style clergyman more interested in the pleasures of the table than in the cure of souls http://trilingualtranslationsllc.com/freebooks/im-a-great-little-kid. Nor is it a matter of protecting the lives of innocent children waiting to be born. If it were, conservatives would be working to lower the infant mortality rate by supporting prenatal care programs http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/scramble-tales-of-the-raf. Physicians might, for example, be less free to refuse poor or poorly insured patients http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/the-truth-commission.
Instead this is based on an ideology: �the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program.� Convincing people with a platform of platitudes that this is the right thing to do for everyone, as the goal is a utopian type society. But it will never be reached by human efforts no matter how noble or earnest they may be in them , cited: http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/need. Social workers acknowledge that serving others is more important than self-interest and put the needs of their clients ahead of their own. This can be difficult at times, and you'll be expected to seek the advice of your supervisor or even participate in your own psychotherapy to help you deal with any personal issues that may arise. Additionally, the value of service means that you'll be encouraged to volunteer some portion of your time - or working on a pro bono basis, according to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers http://www.svarok.com/library/those-that-wake. Values are virtues, positive traits that promote individual and collective well-being. ... What's the best way to teach young children the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, and appropriate and inappropriate behavior online? These are: the homocentric (or socio- altruistic) which focuses on other people; the ecocentric (or biospheric) which focuses on nonhuman objects; and the egocentric (or egoistic) which focuses on the self (Stern et al. intentions will provide implications for public policy, marketing communications, and future public service or advocacy campaigns that aim to affect behavioral change http://sluggerschicago.com/library/conviction. The United States led Operation Restore Hope in 1992, and U. N. countries sent food and supplies, along with soldiers to ensure that they reached the people http://www.svarok.com/library/one-more-chance-2011-carter-high-senior-year. It appeared to have originated in Sicily as early as the fifth century BC and was further developed by the Greeks of Athens and Asia Minor (Turkey). Within rhetoric itself, there was three defined subjects; the pure art form itself, to be learned as any other art to broaden the mind of the individual; persuasion, the ability to win an audience over to one's point of view; and legal oratory, the ability to act as an effective speaker in a court of law http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/duty-or-desire-unbarred. The army became the victor in this power struggle, giving rise to General Suharto and "Pancasila Democracy" in 1966. Under Pancasila Democracy parliament was retained, although in form rather than substance , cited: http://dompetmurahonline.joojoo-store.com/lib/harsh-pink-color-me-burned-true-colors-series-12. The essence of his doctrine was the harmonization of social relations among people, among clans, and among the social classes. He sought to persuade the rulers to accept his doctrine of "Ren" so as to restore social peace and to right the "demoralized world;" "Li (ritual) collapsed and Yue (Music) [was]disordered." All of his moral categories focused on "self-cultivation," which was even more important to the rulers than to others, because the rulers self-cultivation was the way "to ease the lot of the whole populace." (Cf , e.g. http://tukanalnoticias.tukanal.tv/books/the-granny-game-cul-de-sac-kids-book-20. Note also how ‘thoughtful’ implies ‘kind’. without ﬁrst having to reﬂect. We would have doubts about someone who had to think through whether they should go to the aid of an elderly person who has just had a fall before doing so. individuals may sometimes override their dispositions. require an attempt to understand the other. this does not necessarily mean that the responses are irrational or unreasonable. 2007). though as we saw in Chapter 3 , e.g. http://trilingualtranslationsllc.com/freebooks/struck-orca-currents.

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Ticks causing mysterious meat allergy

(CNN) — Helen Olive had her first allergy attack 11 years ago. She had gone to bed only to wake up hours later because her neck felt as if it were on fire.

She was driving her motorcycle around town with her husband on a hot summer day in 2008 when they decided to stop for a meal at a local restaurant. “I had a black and blue salad with beef tips,” Olive said. “Later I had the same reaction except the Benadryl would not work.”

“The answer to the allergy is sugar,” said Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills, who discovered the allergy with his junior colleague Dr. Scott Commins. They first published their findings in 2009.

Alpha-gal is essentially a bunch of sugars stuck together in the blood, which is in the meat of all non-primate mammals, including deer, cats and dogs. “We have seen anaphylaxis in France with horse and goat meat as well,” Platts-Mills said.

What causes the allergy may be surprising.

The doctors believe the allergy could more closely be related to bites that come from tick larva, or baby ticks, also known as chiggers.

And what if you’ve already been bitten? Olive doesn’t fancy the idea of eating a steak with an epinephrine auto-injector, which treats life-threatening allergic reactions.

“Intellectually, it’s such a cool allergy on so many levels,” McGintee said. “It’s a sugar, not a protein, and most food allergies occur in response to a protein antigen.”

Alpha-gal is unique in that it is the first known case of delayed anaphylaxis, she said. While anaphylaxis normally occurs within minutes or seconds of eating a certain food, this is not the case with alpha-gal patients, who suffer anaphylactic shock anywhere from four to six hours after eating certain meats. Most who suffer from alpha-gal can attest that waking up in the middle of the night, not from a nightmare, but from anaphylaxis, is quite frightening.

Alpha-gal’s reactions vary on a case-by-case basis, sometimes with a patient experiencing a severe reaction and other times nothing at all. Doctors advise that people who are exposed to lone star ticks should be aware of the allergy, especially if they live in the country, where it could take some time to reach a hospital.

Jaime Johnston, 62, has lived in parts of North and South Carolina, and had her first tick bite when she was 5. She was about 46 when she became severely allergic to meat. Like many others, she had alpha-gal before it was even named. It has taken her almost 20 years to understand that her meat allergy is connected to ticks. However, she did learn early on that certain meats were her enemy.

“No doctor has ever taken this claim seriously,” Johnston said. Doctor’s “would roll their eyes and tell me to go to an allergist. I’ve never done this because of the anticipated costs.”

A trip to an allergist could cost a few hundred dollars without insurance.

While some daredevils may want to risk it and enjoy a juicy steak regardless of their alpha-gal allergy, the only true way to avoid an allergy attack is to avoid the food itself. “There is no current medication to treat food allergies,” Commins said.

However, Commins did explain that if a person were to avoid tick bites for some time, he or she could become less allergic to meat.

“For those lucky few who have had their (IgE) levels fall, we try a meat challenge to ‘clear’ them to consume mammalian meat.”

Yet be warned, additional bites could once again lead to anaphylactic shock. And to some, the meat challenge just doesn’t seem worth it.

“I don’t want to risk it,” Olive said. “We have six acres and some of it is woods. Ticks are really unavoidable.”


Monday, December 14, 2015

Ephesians 6:5-9

Christianity should pervade every aspect and every role of a believer’s life. In Ephesians 5 and 6, Paul described a number of ways that a believer living the spirit-filled life will act in their relationships. A believer that is filled with the spirit will be joyful, thankful, and humble. Christian husbands will lovingly sacrifice their own preferences and their own comfort for the sake of their own wives. Christian wives will surrender their desires and preferences to their loving husbands. Parents will guide and direct their own children, and children will joyfully submit to their parents. And while there is no doubt that Christianity should pervade every aspect of the family, Paul continued under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to explain that the spirit-filled life will affect work as well.
In the ancient world, slavery was ubiquitous. Nearly every major ancient culture, the Romans included, was founded on and expanded through the use of slavery. This slavery culture was part of the context of all of the New Testament books. In the first century church, there were people who fell on either side of slavery. Some members of local churches were slaves and other members were slave owners. However, nothing broke down the barrier between slave and master as did the truths of Christianity.
In our current context, over 150 years after the ratification of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, we may find some of the statements made regarding slavery to be bothersome. But we would do well to remember the original context in which Paul was writing. He was not seeking to bring sweeping social reform to the entrenched practice of slavery, rather, he was seeking to give guidance to those who were believers and who were existing in that culture and those who would exist in other cultures to follow.
This is the beautiful thing about Christianity. You can tell true Christianity because it is applicable to all cultures. The truth of God and the message of the gospel transcend people groups and languages like nothing else can. This cultural transcendence is something that helps those interested in foreign missions work to see if they are truly carrying the gospel message or if they have attached a bit of baggage to the truth of Scripture. In every culture the plain teaching of Scripture is completely applicable. However, the application of each truth may find itself to be different as it is adapted to different cultures.
To illustrate this, we must see the diversity of worship styles that exist in the global church. In one culture, using drums in worship would seem strange and out of place, whereas in another culture, drums are the prime source of rhythm and help carry the worship. In some cultures, dancing and clapping are seen as strange and awkward, while in another culture to not dance and not clap would seem cold and indifferent towards God. All cultures can obey the command to worship God in joy and in song, but the diversity of humanity demonstrates that the application will vary from culture to culture.
When we read that Christian servants are to obey their masters, and believing masters are to be kind and forbear the insolent slaves under their command, we may feel a tug of disgust. But, what we must understand is that although the application in that culture dealt with slaves and masters, the principles transcend culture and we can find a biblical application for this truth in our culture. For us, in a slave free America, the spirit-filled believer still works 9-5. The same Christian expectation on slaves and their masters can be carried into our culture. In our culture, every Christian employee should strive to work hard and do well in their job that God might be honored and glorified, and every Christian employer must be gracious and kind, even forbearing in love those who at times disappoint them.

Reflect: Is the message of Scripture truly transcendent of culture? Can you think of things that some well-meaning Christians have tried to carry over to other cultures in the name of Christianity?


A great replacement for a projector is to use a HDMI cord from your computer to a TV to display your content. You can then do classroom activities on the computer where everyone can see the screen.

I would create a excel sheet to make a weekly schedule. It would broken down into 5 sections that include Monday to Friday. Within those sections, I would include 15-30min time slots depending on the activity and how many students are working on it (1-2). By each time slot, I would have the students name. Having a weekly schedule is a good way of keeping track that everyone receives a equal opportunity to use the computer. It also allows the teacher to be more organized and work on classroom time management.

The different types of instruments

  • Have many images of different musical instruments in a list and have the students identify them by writing down the name of each instrument in #1-20 order
  • Have pictures of each instrument with a brief description of each one
  • Have pictures of each instrument with audio clips attached for each instrument

I could create a power point presentation on the topic we are learning about to assist with visual aids. I could also use video clips to help explain certain educational concepts. I could also create graphic organizers and lists on the computer.

It can help me organize my classroom duties such as writing monthly newsletters and letters home to parents. In the case of special education, I may use the computer to write an Individual Education Plan for a student. I may also create custom graphic organizers, student certificates, and name tags. I can also create charts and student records.

For Future Reference:

Strategies for One Computer Classrooms

More Teacher Tech Support

Graphic Organizer: How To Evaluate Websites

There are 4 criteria we use to evaluate web pages. The 4 criteria are Authority, Accuracy, Currency, and Objectivity. Authority tells us who is responsible for the website and their qualifications. Accuracy allows us to know if the information on the website is factual by including a list of resources and links to reputable resources. Currency informs us of when the information was written and published. Lastly, Objectivity presents information from a non-biased view point.

I learned the proper terms for the criteria we look for when evaluating websites. I also learned about the things to be aware of when spotting a bad web page. Problem sites include no dates, no authors, no contact information, no linked resources, and no biased perspectives.


It’s not about the money…

There comes a time when you’re not just doing your job for the sake of the money.

Yes, the cash is helpful but it shouldn’t be the primary motivator for your career success.

It’s always a good thing to evaluate where you are today and where you are heading.

The direction your life is headed is totally dependent on each decision you make today.

Do You Believe You Can Be Successful?

Learn from your mistakes and rise again.


Category: Notes and comments

Thomas Piketty on Communism: Implications for Theory and Practice

Regulated Capitalism Monster Comic

What’s going on in Venezuela? Media Manipulation and Economic War

By Ricardo Fuentes-Ramírez

Retrieved from

A burning street barricade (Roberto Gil)

A burning street barricade (Roberto Gil)

The violent opposition protests that erupted during February 2014 in Venezuela are difficult to comprehend relying only on the mainstream media. One of the main sources of this difficulty is the significant number of exaggerated, manipulated, or uncorroborated social media postings. These postings are best exemplified by the number of images from police brutality from other countries that are shared claiming they are from Venezuela in order to discredit the current government. Steve Ellner’s article on Green Left and Pablo Vivanco’s article on BASICS News are recommended in order to give some context on these protests and their aftermath. However, another complicated subject is the economic problems that are mentioned as the causes of these protests, specifically inflation and basic good shortages. Therefore, it is useful to go over some articles that discuss these issues in more depth.

Inflation has always been a problem in Venezuela. As Gregory Wilpert explains, during the 1990s, annual inflation rates averaged around 50%. However, under the Chávez government the trend was finally turned around, with inflation going down to an average 22% per year. Nevertheless, it has continued being a problem. The main cause of inflation is having an oil-based economy. Wilpert explains, “Venezuela receives an influx of petrodollars that basically come into the economy and raise the level of wages and raise the level of prices in a way that heats up inflation.” What the media fails to mention, as Tamara Pearson has emphasized, is that “the government regularly (once or twice a year) increases the minimum wage to match inflation levels, or higher than them, and the informal sector increases its prices to match inflation as well,” so “people’s purchasing power has actually increased significantly under the current government.” In other words, even though there is inflation, Venezuelans’ purchasing power is actually increasing, not decreasing.

The other issue mentioned is shortages of basic goods. Many news sources have tried to give the impression Venezuelans are close to starving. However, as discussed by Ryan Mallet-Outtrim,  “food consumption increased by 80% between 1999 and 2011,” while the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization “awarded Venezuela for halving hunger within its territory between 1990-1992 and 2010-2012.” Similarly, Oliver Levingston notes “Venezuela’s average caloric intake has gone from 91% of recommended levels in 1998 to 101.6%” so “the average Venezuelan went from being under-fed to exceeding their recommended calorie intake within the space of decade.” Nonetheless, it is true that basic goods like corn flour, milk, and toilet paper are in and out of stock at unpredictable rates. So while Venezuelans aren’t going to be out of flour for more than a few days, you can’t plan to bake a cake next week because maybe there won’t be any (See Pearson’s The Scarcity Diaries).

So what’s behind this occasional scarcity? Is it just bad government policy? Not exactly. In fact, scarcity is mostly fueled by deliberate actions taken by wealthy Venezuelans, which as the government has denounced, are nothing less than an economic war waged against the people. As Levingston explains, private food producers and importers deliberately hoard and engage in investment strikes in order to undermine support for government policy. As evidence of this practice, Levingston mentions some of the numerous cases of government inspectors discovering tons of hoarded food. In early 2008, 13,000 tons of hoarded food were found in two weeks of state inspections. In March 2009, the government nationalized a rice-processing plant after it found 18,000 tons of rice hoarded in warehouses. He adds further evidence lies in the fact that scarcity moves so closely with the electoral calendar, it is difficult to argue it is not, at least in part, by political design. As an example, he mentions one of the periods of greatest shortages were the months prior to the December 2007 referendum. Similarly, “in the lead-up to April 2013 elections, scarcity and disinvestment skyrocketed,” and between the two general elections from November 2012 and June 2013, more than 40,000 tons of hoarded food were uncovered.

In terms of wealthy Venezuelan importers, these usually take advantage of the government’s currency controls in order to acquire US dollars at low rates with the pretense of importing goods for consumption in Venezuela, but instead sell these dollars in the black market. Of what they actually import, as Wilpert explains, between 30% to 40% is smuggled out of Venezuela. Furthermore, what they do offer in stores for consumption in Venezuela is overpriced at black market exchange rates, instead of the exchange rate at which they actually imported it. Tamara Pearson gives the actual example of what she calls one of her few vice foods: Pringles. At the rate at which importers acquire dollars from the government, Pringles should cost close to $2.20. However, they mark up the price according to the rate at which they are selling dollars in the black market, so they actually sell for $15.70! Thus, these wealthy Venezuelans fuel both inflation and shortages in the country.

Why are rich Venezuelans sabotaging their own country? Since the election of Hugo Chavez, and continuing with the presidency of Nicolas Maduro, government policy has been designed to democratize not only the political structures of the country, but the economy as well. The poor Venezuelan masses, for the first time in history, have benefited from the country’s vast resources; they have had substantial access to education and health care, and they have been politically empowered, both through traditional political structures as well as new ones, such as the innovative Communes. As the poor working masses have been empowered, the rich have been proportionately disempowered. Thus, wealthy Venezuelans have engaged in political and economic war, through the media and through their resources, to avoid further democratization of Venezuelan society. In a nutshell, that is what’s going on Venezuela.

Atheism and Human Development: The Political Economy of Secularization

By Ricardo R. Fuentes Ramirez

Figure 1Introduction

With “Political Economy of Secularization,” we refer to the analysis of the underlying economic processes embedded in the tendency of religiosity to decline across the world. The building blocks for this analysis are mainly found in Karl Marx’s understanding of religion. While contemporary secularization theory mainly rests upon Weber and Durkheim’s ideas on this subject, we argue that in Marx’s writings on the subject we also find important insights. The objective of this paper is to sketch a theory of secularization within a Marxian Political Economy framework, and support it with the most recent data on development and religiosity across the world. We argue this approach fills important theoretical voids in traditional secularization theory and contributes toward responding to the challenge of explaining the rise in religiosity in the world as a whole.

Religion as Human Estrangement

One of Marx’s earliest remarks on religion is found in a letter to Arnold Ruge, a German writer with whom he briefly co-edited a journal titled “The German-French Yearbooks.” In 1842, when he was 24 years old, Marx wrote that “religion in itself is without content, it owes its being not to heaven but to earth, and with the abolition of distorted reality of which it is the theory, it will collapse of itself” (1975). In this brief statement, we find Marx’s central thesis on religion and secularization. Religion is but the reflection of a distorted reality, or as he later on develops, of a society where humanity is alienated, or estranged.  With the transition to a society free of alienation, religion will eventually collapse. In 1843, he continued expanding on this idea in his Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right. There he argued that religion is “the self-consciousness and self-esteem of man who has either not yet won through to himself, or has lost himself again” (2008, p. 41) At this point, he writes one of his most memorable quotes on religion:

“Real suffering,” may be of a mainly physiological nature, or a mainly psychological nature. Physiologically, human beings may suffer from hunger, disease, inadequate shelter or clothing, natural disasters, etc.; which all may lead to religious attitudes as explanatory or coping mechanisms. This is similar to Norris and Inglehart’s (2011) “existential security theory.” These authors sustain that “as societies transition from agrarian to industrial economies, and then develop into postindustrial societies, the conditions of growing security that usually accompany this process tend to reduce the importance of religious values. The main reason, [they] believe, is that the need for religious reassurance becomes less pressing under conditions of greater security” (2011, p. 18). On the other hand, Norris and Inglehart recognize that economic development, or greater “existential security,” do not necessarily ensure lower religiosity. We wish to stress this point even further, as it is crucial in Marx’s understanding of religiosity. As a result of what Marx called human estrangement, even people that are not living in the poorest conditions within their countries, and truly live in conditions of human security, might still find themselves in conditions that require sources of illusionary happiness. Therefore, to understand Marx’s theory of secularization, it is crucial to understand what he means with human estrangement, or the alienation of human labor. The objective in this section is not to provide a comprehensive analysis of the concept, but a brief introduction focusing on what is most pertinent to the subject of secularization. According to Marx, the source of alienation is found in the development of private property; that is, the transition from ancient communal modes of production toward modes characterized by private property over the means of production and the exploitation of human labor. Therefore, his concept of alienation is fundamentally related to the act of labor. As Erich Fromm (1992, p. 47) explained, work is “the active relatedness of man to nature, the creation of a new world, including the creation of man himself.” To illustrate Marx’s concept of alienation, it is best to juxtapose human labor in ancient communal modes of production, with labor within capitalism. In the first case, work was the expression of men and women’s power. The product of human labor, although primitive, was fundamentally linked to those who directly produced it, always based on their will and planning. In capitalism, workers are degraded into mere appendages of machines, destroying, as Marx described in Capital, every remnant of charm in work, and turning it into a hated toil. Aptly describing the work conditions of most laborers around the world today, Marx concluded that workers under capitalism find their work unfulfilling, miserable, and physically and mentally exhausting. Therefore, their work is experienced as something alien, and the worker becomes alienated from his or herself as a worker, as well as from the product of his or her work. For Marx, capitalism is the highest expression of alienated work since the origins of private property. Thus, alienated society fuels religion by creating diverse forms of suffering, ranging from physically brutal working conditions to menial and degrading work.

However, religiosity is also linked to our scientific knowledge. Taking this into account, we may conclude religion is a reflection of the relationship between human beings and nature in two distinct forms: how we transform nature and ourselves through labor, and our technical understanding of nature. Marx (2008, p. 36) argued that when the development of the productive power of labor is in a low stage, and the relations of humanity with itself and with nature are correspondingly constricted, this is “reflected in the ancient worship of nature, and in the other elements of the popular religions.” Similarly, Engels argued that as advances in natural sciences progress, “the more will men not only feel but also know their oneness with nature, and the more impossible will become the senseless and unnatural idea of a contrast between mind and matter, man and nature, soul and body” (2008, p. 188). Human religiosity therefore has inherent contradictory tendencies. While the development of our understanding and mastery over nature tends to undermine the belief in supernatural beings, the increasing alienation linked with this development enables religion. In contemporary terms, the latter translates into an issue of psychological or mental health. Under capitalism, scientific knowledge has exponentially grown to an extent arguably enough to have completely debunked religion. However, the negative effects on mental health brought upon by capitalism help religion persist.

In sum, Marxian secularization theory argues that religion is immersed in various processes that can both enable and disable it. First, the scientific and technical developments of human society tend to undermine religiosity through two processes: 1) an increasing understanding of nature eliminates the need of religion as an explanatory mechanism, while 2) increasing standards of living eliminate the need of religion as a coping mechanism. There has been a historic tendency of development in science and technology, which therefore translates into a historic tendency towards secularization. However, this same development in science and technology has gone hand in hand with the development of modes of production characterized by exploitation and alienation. This last process tends to serve as fuel for human religiosity. As we will show below, we understand that the most recent statistics on religion and human development support this theory.

We may now see a fundamental difference between the secularization theories of Marx and other 19th century thinkers such as Weber or Durkheim. While the latter argued that capitalism would ultimately destroy religion, Marx was clear that because capitalist industrialization represented a historical peak in human estrangement, it would do nothing of the sort. Humanity would have to transition to a post-capitalist mode of production, where men and women are self-realized and emancipated from alienation, in order for religion to disappear. Nonetheless, various processes could surely counteract alienation even within capitalism. Healthy workers, with access to education, and high living standards within egalitarian societies, will probably have less negative effects from estranged labor than workers with lower standards of living, lack of access to health and education, and living within highly unequal societies.

In other words, alienation is undermined by what recent theorists have termed human development. Human development generally refers to broadening the scope from strictly economic growth, so as to include elements such as education, health, and equality, which more aptly represent the conditions in which a population is living. Most Marxists would argue that although human development might be achieved in certain areas of the world economy, capitalism would ultimately undermine human development in the world as a whole. To discuss if global human development is achievable within capitalism would go beyond the scope of this paper. For our current objectives, it suffices to say that where human development is achieved, we should expect to find higher degrees of secularization, as it serves as a counteracting force to human estrangement. Thus, as Norris and Inglehart (2011, pp. 14-16) have also argued, developed countries should tend to show degrees of religiosity and secularization more proportional to human development rather than mere economic growth.

Lack of Secularization in the Third World

In the case of developing countries, their population growth rates and religious cultures have translated into a net rise in world religiosity that undermine the idea that religion will steadily decline. However, there is a tendency toward secularization, not an iron law of secularization. We argue that with all other things being held constant, religion would disappear as a result of economic and human development. Nonetheless, things are never constant, and sufficiently strong counteracting tendencies may undermine others. Two aspects contribute in explaining higher degrees of religiosity in the Third World: intense and highly exploitative working conditions, as well as problems related with hunger, sickness, and violence. In other words, processes related to alienation as well as low existential security plague developing countries. “Real suffering” in physiological and psychological terms translates into more people yearning for illusionary sources of happiness. As developing countries “catch up” to developed countries, increasing existential security enforces the tendency toward secularization. If their economic development were accompanied with human development, the tendency toward secularization would be reinforced even further. Capitalism tends to develop the forces of production on a global scale. In other words, it should tend to develop the “backward” regions of the world, developing countries should be catching up, and secularization should be rising. However, as stated above, sufficiently strong counteracting forces can nullify this tendency.

Many Marxian economists, such as Andre Gunder Frank (1978) and Samir Amin (1976), have studied why most poor developing countries remained poor during the 20th century. World capitalism took a particular imperialist character, dividing the world into two fundamental groups: core capitalist countries (the First World) and peripheral countries (the Third World). Their relation hampered the development of peripheral countries through a vast array of political and economic institutions and processes. While there is debate on the mechanisms, and the ways they may or may not be undermined, there is agreement on the fact that the relation between core countries and peripheral countries obstructed growth and development in the latter. Even when accounting for the so-called “emerging markets,” it is clear that growth and development are still difficult feats for most developing countries, and in great part because of their past and current relation with advanced developed countries. In other words, the tendency toward global secularization has been undermined by a particular counteracting force: economic imperialism and global inequality. This does not mean secularization theory is fundamentally flawed. On the contrary, with the analytical tools of Marxian Political Economy, we have a clearer understanding on why the tendency toward secularization was hampered, and the steps that may be taken in order to enable it.

Recent Statistics on Secularization

This understanding of secularization may be evidenced using recent statistics on development and secularization. In theory, secularization should not only rise with economic development, but it should rise at a higher rate where it is accompanied by human development. The utility of the proposed framework becomes evident when we focus on the United States. Previous assessments of secularization worldwide categorized the United States as an outlier, as it possessed both a highly religious population as well as high levels of development. However, when taking into account that US citizens have less access to health and education, and live within a more unequal society than most of their European counterparts, we actually expect to find higher degrees of religiosity. This idea is supported with Norris and Inglehart’s (2011, pp. 106-108) analysis of frequency of prayer and economic inequality in advanced capitalist countries. In addition, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has recently introduced a new measure, the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), that, as we will show below, shows that the United States is not an outlier, but actually fits our theory.

Using the 2005-2008 wave of The World Values Survey we may analyze the relation between human development and religiosity. Specifically, we may observe the relationship between the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) and the percentage of people in each country that consider religion is not important in their lives and the percentage of people who declare themselves as not religious or convinced atheist. In Figure 1 we may observe that the relationship between the percentage of convinced atheists in the population and the IHDI is not linear. Instead, we find a polynomial relation where the number of atheists begins to rise most significantly after the IHDI has surpassed a value of approximately 0.6. The UNDP categorizes countries as representing Very High Human Development (0.8<HDI), High Human Development (0.7<HDI<0.8), Medium Human Development (0.535<HDI<0.7), and Low Human Development (HDI<0.535). In other words, when countries enter a stage of Medium Human Development, the number of atheists begins to rise, and the rate at which they rise increases as they continue on to stages of High or Very High Human Development. The only outliers were South Korea, France, Germany, and Sweden. However, they showed percentages of atheists above what was expected, so they do not undermine our main thesis of increasing secularization. Another important aspect is the case of the United States. As previously mentioned, most studies found the United States as an outlier, with unexplainable high levels of religiosity given its stage of development. In our data, the United States is below the trend line, but it is nowhere near of being an outlier that undermines our thesis. Its levels of religiosity are explained with our theory and data as a result of lower human development and higher inequality.

This particular question in the World Values Survey provided three possible answers where those being surveyed should classify themselves: Religious Person, Not a Religious Person, Convinced Atheist. In theory, it is possible for the ‘Not a Religious Person’ group to be decreasing enough as to nullify the increase in atheists, so it is best to add the last two groups. This combined group of people that responded as not religious or atheists may be called the total of irreligious people. In Figure 2, we see the same trend observed in the case of atheists by themselves. As countries enter levels of Medium Human Development, the percentage of irreligious people begins to climb faster, and increasing even more in higher stages of human development. In this case, a new particular outlier stands out: Thailand. Even though this country has a very religious population of the Buddhist tradition, more than 60% of those surveyed answered they are not religious. This is probably a result of translation issues in phrasing the question, particularities of the branch of Buddhism and how it conceives itself as a religion, or a combination of both. In the case of the United States, once again, although below the trend line, it is not an outlier and does not contradict our theory.

Figure 2

Secularization may also be reflected in religion losing its importance in people’s lives, even though they are not necessarily outspokenly labeling themselves as irreligious. Thus, we also analyze the question in the survey where people state how important religious is in their lives (very, rather, not very, or not at all important). As in the previous exercise, first we will focus on those who answered not at all important, and then on the sum of those who answered not very and not at all important. In Figure 3, we find that the relation between the percent of the population that consider religion is not at all important in their lives and the IHDI follows the same trend as in the previous cases. The only outliers reflect higher secularization than expected, and the United States is not a problematic outlier.  Finally, in Figure 4, we do the same exercise but with the sum of those who answered religion was not very and not at all important in their lives, and also find the same pattern.

 Figure 3 Figure 4

What’s probably most interesting of this analysis is that, according to our theory and findings, if the world as a whole were to arrive at a level of human development and equality similar to that of Sweden or Norway, we would expect to find that religion stopped being of importance for more than half of the population, and openly irreligious people would be rapidly approaching becoming half of the population. In Marxian terms, our findings support the idea that as countries develop in terms of science and technology, secularization rises; but it increases most when human development and equality counteract the effects of alienation.

Concluding Remarks

Marx (2008, p. 42) stated “It is the immediate task of philosophy, which is in the service of history, to unmask self-estrangement in its unholy forms once the holy form of human self-estrangement has been unmasked. Thus, the criticism of Heaven turns into the criticism of Earth, the criticism of religion into the criticism of law, and the criticism of theology into the criticism of politics.” This idea resonates with the discussion on secularization and development in the Third World. If we operate under the assumption that secularization is desirable because it translates into sexual liberalization, women’s equality, LGBT rights, etc.; then achieving economic and human development in the Third World becomes even more of an imperative. The criticism of rising religious extremism today must turn into the criticism of the vast array of political and economic processes that hinder development in the Third World. In other words, the criticism of religion today is fundamentally linked with the criticism of political and economic imperialism and global inequality. For Marx (2008, p. 136), humanity will never fully strip its veil of mysticism and vanquish its religious reflex, until production takes place through the free association of men and women, “it is consciously regulated by them in a settled plan,” and “the practical relations of every-day life offer to man none but perfectly intelligible and reasonable relations with regard to his fellowmen and to nature.”  The disappearance of religion is therefore a very long run process. Nonetheless, Marx’s theory provides insight into how we may undermine the negative effects of religiosity in the short and medium run as well.

Amin, S. (1976). Unequal Development: An Essay on the Social Formations of Peripheral Capitalism. New York: Monthly Review Press.

Engels, F. (2008). Dialectics of Nature. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels On Religion (pp. 152-193). Mineola: Dover Publications.

Frank, A. G. (1978). Dependent Accumulation and Underdevelopment. New York: Monthly Review Press.

Fromm, E. (1992). Marx’s Concept of Man. New York: Continuum Publications.

Marx, K. (1975). Letter from Marx to Arnold Ruge In Dresden. Karl Marx, Frederick Engels: Collected Works V.1 (pp. 393-395). New York: International Publishers.

Marx, K. (2008). Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels On Religion (pp. 41-58). Mineola: Dover Publications.

Marx, K. (2008). Capital (Extracts). Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels On Religion (pp. 135-141). Mineola: Dover Publications.

Norris, P., & Inglehart, R. (2011). Sacred and secular: Religion and Politics Worldwide. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

World Values Survey Association. (2013). World Values Survey 2005-2008. Retrieved from

United Nations Development Program. (2013). 2013 Human Development Report.

Retrieved from

By Ricardo R. Fuentes Ramirez

Puerto Ricans clash over LGBT Equality Bills: The face of hate and the face of love

Two bills have been proposed in Puerto Rico that would increase the rights of the LGBT community on the island.  One bill would prohibit discrimination for motives related to sexual orientation in areas as employment, rental leases, and other such public or private instances.  The second bill would clarify that Puerto Rico’s Domestic Violence Law, no matter the sexual orientation, protects all citizens. The island’s religious groups took the streets to protest these urgently needed measures on the island. In Puerto Rico, violent and non-violent homophobia is rampant. Between 2009 and 2011 alone, more than two-dozen people have been murdered in anti-gay hate crimes.

In a frightening and saddening demonstration of the conservative and patriarchal values that still run deep in Puerto Rican culture, around 200,000 people manifested in the island’s Capitol building on February 18th, with hateful picket signs invoking Christ and misleadingly calling for the defense of family.

Among the demonstrations in favor of the equality bills, one was held days before, on Saint Valentine’s Day. This demonstration took place in the University of Puerto Rico, and its conclusion was a mass kissing. The manifestation clearly illustrated that we are dealing with a clash between hate and love.

The now in power Popular Democratic Party, though ideologically absent minded, is trying to distinguish itself from the previous New Progressive Party government, which was explicitly reactionary in all fronts, including gender issues. Hopefully this will enable the approval of the proposed bills.

Faces of Hate:

Faces of hate at the Capitol Building

Faces of Love at the University of Puerto Rico:

Faces of Love at the University of Puerto Rico

By Ricardo R. Fuentes Ramirez

Status Determinism in the Puerto Rican Left:

The major obstacle for broad front politics

Wikipedia defines determinism as a philosophy stating that for everything that happens there are conditions such that, given those conditions, nothing else could happen. It aptly describes the philosophy behind a great part of the Puerto Rican Left. You might be thinking I’m going to talk about the economic determinism of orthodox Marxists, or something of the sort. Actually, it’s the other way around. It is in the nationalist Left where we are finding determinism; specifically, status determinism! Let me explain.

As Puerto Rico is still a United States territory in a classical colonial fashion, most of the island’s politics revolve around the future status of the island. On the table, Puerto Ricans have four options: become the 51st state of the union and fully annex to the United States, sign a free association compact with the United States as a sovereign nation, declare complete independence from the United States, or stay in the current colonial territorial status. The Left has historically supported independence, although now a large number of activists have supported the free association compact with the United States as an acceptable alternative also.

Now, the largest progressive organization on the island is the Puerto Rican Independence Party, which recognizes itself as a social-democratic party. In practice however, they seem to base most of their campaigning on nationalist sentiments instead of the issues one would usually associate with social democrats. Their nationalism has also become an obstacle for the development of broad front politics as they are developing in other parts of the world. The main issue is that broad front politics, for these leaders, only make sense in independent nations. They argue that while Puerto Rico is a US colony, any type of broad front progressive politics is reformist, if not colonialist and pro-status quo.

In other words, a front that encompasses unions, marginalized communities, LGBT activists, along with socialists and independence activists, for the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), should only be constructed if and only if it is also advocating in favor of total independence (and by the way, if it openly calls for voting for them would be nice too). 95% of Puerto Ricans openly declare themselves against independence. So, basically, according to the Independence Party, we can’t seem to do any kind of electoral politics with 95% of the working class and other oppressed sectors simply because they are still not in favor of independence. Sure! We will piquet with them! Sure! We will send press releases supporting them! And sure, if you vote for us, we will write progressive bills in favor of them (although they will not be passed anyway). But!! Any kind of broad electoral politics that unites these sectors under a front that is not openly for independence (and voting for us), that’s unacceptable! That’s basically the idea.

Obviously independence is indispensable for any kind of radical transformation in Puerto Rico. Therefore, any type of broad front must eventually become a national liberation movement, as well as a socialist movement, for it to truly be revolutionary. However, the Independence Party is putting the cart before the horse.

How in the world are Puerto Ricans going to develop a National Liberation movement that unites most of the working class and other oppressed sectors, if they are opposing actually working with these sectors until they are convinced of independence? As Rosa Luxemburg said, “Those who don’t move do not feel their chains.” Socialists are obviously aware that they can’t presume a worker’s movement will be openly and unquestionably for socialism from day one. That’s part of the struggle. Radicalizing and organizing workers has to be the starting point, even if at that starting point they are not yet totally convinced for socialism. Nationalist independence activists seem to be unable to grasp this dynamic. From day one, they require workers, gays, lesbians, community activists, etc to be totally in favor of independence; otherwise, we can work together sometimes but not organically in a movement.

In this sense, it is with great sorrow, that we have to conclude the Puerto Rican Independence Party is actually becoming a reactionary force. Their conservatism has certainly affected their support. From more than 100,000 votes in the 2000 elections (5%) they have decreased to below 40,000 votes in 2008 (less than 3%).

Meanwhile, the recently founded Working People’s Party, which originated from the socialist movement, is seeking to fill the void the Independence Party has created. The Working People’s Party is not openly for independence or for socialism. Why? Because it is trying to develop precisely the broad front politics we have been talking about. It wants to unite in practice, workers and all other oppressed sectors to struggle against neoliberalism. These sectors are mostly not yet in favor of independence or socialism. But, as Rosa Luxemburg says, once they start moving, they will hopefully feel their chains. In any case, organizing workers and oppressed sectors is a precondition for revolutionary struggle. So, even if they are not from day one, in favor of total independence and socialism, organizing these sectors, empowering these sectors, is without a doubt, a stepping-stone toward revolution.


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Kinect Sports Rivals achievements

Kinect Sports Rivals

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22,430 tracked gamers have this game, 144 have completed it (0.64%)

Achievement Details

Keen Lob in Kinect Sports Rivals

Keen Lob45 (20)

Score with a lob shot to earn the 'Klobber' player title in a Tennis event.

  • Unlocked by 4,403 tracked gamers (20% - TA Ratio = 2.25) 22,430

Achievement Guide for Keen Lob

200,453 (129,089)
Achievement won on 13 Feb 15
TA Score for this game: 4,255
Posted on 13 February 15 at 20:57
A lob shot is when you move the person either forward or backwards (assuming they are already forwards).
Once the opponent moves either forwards or backwards on that show they move they must miss the ball.
Once they miss the ball Achievement should pop.

This can be hard if you can't figure out how to *lob* the shot.
Try these tips when receiving the ball
1. When hitting, hit it slow
2. Swing your arm upward as you hit the ball
3. Try swinging a little later than usual


Cold Virus Linked to Childhood Obesity

Certainly diet and exercise are crucial factors, but researchers say their findings indicate that childhood obesity is a more complex condition than previously thought.

(Just to be clear, adenovirus is not the cause of what we call the common cold, but a common cause of colds.)— PZS

“This shows that body weight regulation and the development of obesity are very complicated issues,” said the study’s senior author, Dr. Jeffrey Schwimmer, an associate professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego and director of Weight and Wellness at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. “It’s not simply a case that some children eat too much and others don’t. There are children who eat all the wrong things in all the wrong quantities who are not obese.”

Outside experts cautioned that the new research doesn’t prove that the virus causes weight gain — it’s entirely possible that obese kids are just more likely to get the virus.

Still, earlier research with cells in petri dishes suggests that the virus may cause changes in the body that lead to weight gain. Some studies have shown that the virus can enter fat cell precursors, rewiring them to spew out more fat cells, while others have shown that the virus can modify fat cells themselves so that they store more fat.

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Translation Zones in Modern China: Authoritarian Command

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There are reasons to be optimistic about China’s future growth: the potential growth rate can be lifted by creating a better environment for supply of the production factors and a lift in productivity Some simplified characters were in fact official recognition of widely-used colloquial variants of traditional characters. In addition to the People's Republic of China, Singapore also adopted this script. However, other Chinese-speaking places such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and various Chinese communities in Southeast Asia and the Americas rejected this new system and continued to use the traditional script ref.: read pdf. Koi fish tattoos are popular for the back and both shoulders, or as a sleeve tattoo. Their backgrounds are often as spectacular as the fish itself: with crashing water, suns and moons, cherry blossom and lotus petals floating along. Koi fish designs are also used in zodiac tattoos, more specifically in Pisces tattoos (pisces is the Latin word for fish). The pisces symbol has 2 curved lines facing each other download. To use this guide, select from the dynasties at right or click on the timeline above. Use the timeline or the arrows at the top of the pages to move through time, dynasty by dynasty; or return to the list by selecting Chinese Dynasty Guide from the navigation at left. An end to risky bets on the ‘red elephants’ of Beijing’s global financial diplomacy online? The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's F-15J Eagle aircraft. (Photo: AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi) BEIJING: Beijing and Tokyo were at loggerheads on Tuesday (Jul 5) over accusations Japanese warplanes locked their fire control radar onto Chinese aircraft, as state-run Chinese media said the country needed to be ready for "military confrontation" elsewhere
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Because our representation is about you and our greatest satisfaction is serving our client's needs honestly, efficiently, and effectively, we keep you fully informed about your options and work with you toward a resolution that allows you to move on with your life. We understand that your current legal conflict is personal to you, so when you come to our firm for guidance you can expect a candid and practical assessment of your case, the willingness to explain the process to you at all stages of your case so you are fully informed, and a commitment to being attentive and responsive.

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Kaze Yomi Ribbon (風読みリボン) is the b-side to the Boken Desho Desho? single.

Suzumiya Haruhi OST - Kaze Yomi Ribbon03:48

Suzumiya Haruhi OST - Kaze Yomi Ribbon

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Why autism cases seem to be on the rise

From the archives: What it feels like to be autistic
From the archives: What it feels like to be autistic

    From the archives: What it feels like to be autistic

Story highlights

  • The percent of children believed to be on the spectrum increased to 2.24%, but the number of children with other disorders fell significantly
  • Study authors think the change in the way they asked parents about their child's development impacted the number
  • Autism is incredibly difficult to diagnosis; there is no blood test or swab

As of right now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates a growing number of children, one in 68, is believed to have an autism spectrum disorder. That's a 30% increase from estimates in 2012.
    Diagnosing autism is hard. There is no blood test or simple swab. A doctor must look at a child's behavior and development over time to make that determination.
    Showing how tricky that diagnosis is an October study from the Center for Health Statistics found that 13% of children who were labeled autistic lost their diagnosis after later tests. Of the parents who were surveyed about the reversed diagnoses, about 74% thought the reversals were because of new information, meaning their child started to show developmentally appropriate social skills or language abilities, as opposed to a child being "cured."
    So what is it? Can we comfortably say that there are more children with autism?
    "We do believe autism is more prevalent, but we have long believed that the 1 in 68 number is an underestimate," said Michael Rosanoff, the director of public health research at Autism Speaks. But he cautions those numbers are based on solid data including education and medical records.
    This latest study relied solely on parent questionnaires and specifically looked at methodology, not numbers. Regardless, he says, "it is time to look beyond the numbers and more important for us to know how many people have access to care and services that can improve their lives."
    Recent studies have shown that early intervention can help some children.


Gas leak causes traffic disruption

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Traffic (D2359CB)
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Motorists travelling out of Rotherham towards Barnsley are being warned of potential traffic disruption until the end of the week.

National Grid Gas are dealing with a major gas leak on the B6089 Stubbin Road near Upper Haugh and are expected to use 24 hour portable traffic lights until Sunday (November 25) night.


EverQuest: The Buried Sea Media #4

Monkey Rock, Jardel's Hook and Suncrest are three more picturesque locations we'll see in Sony's latest add-on

Scheduled to launch today, EverQuest: The Buried Sea is the latest expansion for Sony Online Entertainment's seminal online world. As Norrath's sun fades, growing numbers of undead are rising from their crypts and graves to menace the land. Meanwhile, off the coast of Odus, more trouble looms in the lost city of Katta Castrum, where the artifact that powers and protects it has deteriorated. The add-on, which is being offered via digital distribution, includes features such as new areas to explore both above and below the waves, ship to ship combat against pirate foes, and a variety of additional quests.

Four exclusive 1600x1200 screenshots

Monkey Rock, Jardel's Hook, Suncrest

- Ruins of Combine architecture litter the islands of the Buried Sea, causing scholars the world over to reconsider the myth of a city that was built to protect and hide Tsaph Katta from General Seru.
- Until recently, the Blacksail pirates controlled the Buried Sea and enjoyed a fancy-free life, often telling tall tales to their mates over a pint at Jardel's Inn.
- Legends tell of the eerie calls of long-dead sailors on dark and stormy nights. They say if you look far enough into the fog, you can see a ghost ship sail past.
- Suncrest Isle is alive with an active volcano shooting plumes of ash into the sky. It is also teeming with two warring goblins tribes - one worships the fires of Solusek Ro, and the other the blessed waters of Prexus.

/>For coverage of Sony's landmark title from a more community-oriented perspective, we invite you to visit our EverQuest Vault on a regular basis. - Ed.


June 23 marked a year since the United Kingdom voted for its withdrawal from the European Union, now commonly known as Brexit.

As a quick recap, many British believed they were being held back by the EU, which according to them set too many rules on businesses and charged billions of pounds sterling a year in membership fees with minimal return. For reference, each EU member state must contribute to the EU budget, which typically consists of a percentage of the member states national income as well as a percentage of the value-added tax (VAT) it collects. According to the most recent figures available, in 2014, Germany contributed the most to the EU Budget, followed by France and the UK.

Among other things, many British also wanted full control of their borders in order to reduce the population migrating to the UK.

What progress has been made in the year since the vote?

Let’s start with the new Prime Minister Theresa May, who replaced David Cameron when he announced he was resigning on the day he lost the Brexit referendum.

May, like Cameron before her, was initially against Brexit but has since expressed her commitment to executing the decision of the Brexit vote. That point was clearly captured on March 29 with the triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, beginning the two-year process of negotiating terms for the UK’s departure from the EU.

What this means is that the UK will leave the EU on March 29, 2019, a date that can only be extended if all EU member states unanimously agree.

Since its creation in 2009, Article 50 has not been used by any of the participating members. Article 50 adds complexity to the 43 years of treaties and agreements between the UK and EU, as there is not a process in place, and it appears the Brexit move will have all parties making up the process as the separation progresses. If a deal cannot be reached within the two-year timeframe, it is speculated that the UK would be governed under the World Trade Organization Rules which could potentially mean the introduction of customs checks and tariffs.

To date, the UK is still under EU law and will remain under EU law until full termination of its membership. The end result appears to indicate that the UK will continue to honor EU treaties and laws but will no longer take part in any decision-making.

May said she would like the UK to reach a new customs union deal with the EU with the agreement not to impose tariffs on each other’s goods.

After Brexit is complete, Britain will have both the challenge and opportunity to negotiate new trade deals with the remaining EU countries.

What happens next?

Brexit negotiations began in Brussels on June 19, 2017. In preparation, May set up a government department that is headed by David Davis, a Conservative MP and Brexit Secretary. The government body also includes a Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, and a Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson. The Prime Minister has the final say in these negotiations.

On the EU side, negotiations will be led by the European Chief Negotiator, Michael Barnier.

As of the June 19 negotiations, no major progress was accomplished other than the UK agreeing to discuss ‘divorce proceedings’ prior to starting any discussions around future trading relations. The next round of negotiations is expected to happen sometime in mid-July.

It will be interesting to see how much can be accomplished as the clock begins to tick for a new and independent UK.

Read more on the possible implications of Brexit on trade.

Karla Sanchez is global sales development specialist at Thomson Reuters.


FutureCare Insurance Biller in Pasadena, Maryland

This position is a general patient accounting position with a variety of duties related to day to day

review, input, processing and coordinating of receivable information for designated facilities.

Duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are by no means limited to the following

tasks and assignments:

Adjust patient’s accounts with retro census changes, and other various bill codes as assigned to specific A/R adjustments

Prepare and submit electronic billing for assigned facilities

Prepare and submit hardcopy billing as necessary for assigned facilities

Complete monthly billing cycle to record all insurance charges

Coordinate interaction with insurance company’s claims and utilization review departments for claim rejections

Attend bi-weekly meetings with Care Managers to discuss authorization and payment discrepancy issues.

Maintain clear and up-to-date notes on progress of all outstanding balances

Assist assigned facilities on all incoming questions and requests

Attend monthly A/R meetings and explain status of all insurance balances

Assist Insurance Billing Manager with new employee training

All other duties as assigned

Qualifications for this position include:

A minimum of a high school diploma and 4 years experience in a billing related environment; or the completion of an AA degree with 2 years experience in same environment; or a BS degree with no prior billing experience.

Ability to communicate effectively with outside agencies and all levels of management and employees

is necessary.

Strong research, problem solving and resolution abilities are also required.

Familiarity with personal computers, including Microsoft Office is strongly desired.

Ability to support administrative staff in office environment including working of office equipment such as

fax machines, copiers, phone systems, 10-key calculators and computer equipment is required.

ID: 2017-8349

Shift: Days

External Company Name: FutureCare

External Company URL: http://www.futurecarehealth.com


Champagne returns to Ireland's shopping basket

CSO also adds craft beer and e-cig refills to the list of products it uses to track prices...

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has updated the basket of goods it uses to track prices in Ireland and one returning product can be read as a clear sign that recessionary times are behind us.

Removed from the basket five years ago, champagne has made a return to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Officials review the contents every five years to ensure that it is representative of what we're buying so that it accurately monitors inflation.

Disposable cameras, clock radios and blank CDs are gone, whilst the CSO has noted how Irish consumers are now watching more streamed programmes on big TVs.

Now, bigger TVs, e-readers and streaming services are included for the first time, but clock radios, disposable cameras and blank CDs have been taken out.

CPI statistician Colin Cotter said:

"There are significant changes in the basket for electronic goods and services. For example, consumers are now purchasing larger TVs while e-readers and television streaming services have been included in the basket for the first time.

"Electronic products removed from the basket include clock radio, home cinema sound systems, MP3 docking stations, blank CDs, disposable cameras and camcorders"."

"Consumer preferences have also changed in the area of alcohol and tobacco," Cotter continued. "For example, e-cigarette refills/liquids, craft beer and champagne have been added to the basket. Champagne had fallen out of the basket five years earlier only to return this time. The price collection has also been expanded to include various different types of wine – red, white, rose and sparkling.

"In terms of food, fresh hake has replaced plaice and whiting in the basket while avocados, melons and sweet potatoes have been added.”

The basket update comes as the CSO releases a new CPI series rebased to December 2016, along with the results for January 2017.

Prices on average inched up 0.3% year-on-year in January. The most notable changes included increases in transport (+2.8%) and hospitality (+2%), and falls in the price of furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (-5.5%), and clothing and footwear (-2.6%).

Consumer prices fell 0.5% in the month.


Reading with OrCam According to the National Eye Institute, macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans age 60 and older. Macular degeneration is a disease that destroys the sharp, central vision. Central vision is what people need to see things clearly and to perform tasks such as driving and reading. AMD causes damage to the macula, a small spot near the center of the retina. As AMD progresses, the person starts to experience a blurred area near the center of vision. Over time, the blurred area may grow larger. AMD does not lead to complete blindness but the loss of vision can interfere with daily activities. Who is at risk? The disease is most likely to occur after age 60, but it can also occur earlier. Some other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and family history. Some researchers have even found that eating healthy, exercising, and maintaining a normal blood pressure and cholesterol level can reduce the risk of AMD or slow its progression. So what are some tools for macular degeneration? There are different version of magnifiers on the market that help enlarge text or image. Hand-held magnifiers are one of the simplest type of magnifiers and gives the user the ability to adjust the distance between the lens and the object. Hand-held magnifiers come in all different shapes, sizes, and designs. Desktop video magnifiers usually have a flat surface on which the object is placed and often allow the user to project the text or image onto a TV. This feature is good for reading for long periods of time. There are a range of products made with large text and special features to help people adapt to vision loss. These include phones with large number buttons and speed dialing, talking clocks and wrist watches, large print checks, talking calculators, large print playing cards, large numbered measuring cups and more. Speech to text converters are also helpful to people with vision loss who like to use the computer. Just by using your voice, you can search the web, write an email and more. Fortunately, these days, you can find tools for macular degeneration for almost every task. Adjusting to vision loss using these aids will help give people with a visual impairment a sense of independence.


Monday 4
4.2.a. Europe, sustainable development policies and civic engagement I (Robert Nadler)

› 14:20 - 14:40 (20min)
Local protests against small school closures in Austria – preconditions and outcomes
Sigrid Kroismayr  1@
1 : Club of Vienna  (CoV)

In Austria, 227 small schools were closed down between 2001 and 2014. These closures of rural elementary schools which were attended by pupils aged 6 to 10 were in many cases accompanied by protests of affected parents and other inhabitants of the villages. This was not only because of the schools educational purposes, but also because of its role as a stable social institution in community life.

The closure of a local village school cuts deep into the social life of the local population: the interactions between the villagers around daily school life, the interactions between villagers and persons from outside who come to the school for teaching or to engage in other activities, the celebration of festivities in the course of the school year, the socialisation of the population in ‘their' school – everything stops if the village school closes. Therefore it is quite understandable that communities very often react with anger and protest when the closure of the local school is at stake.

This talk will address the questions of what are the preconditions and outcomes for local protests. In this respect particular attention is paid to
1) how local protests are influenced by the way of communication between municipal authorities and protesters or representatives of the federal government and protesters
2) and what criteria contribute to the protesters' 'bargaining power'

Preliminary Results
Although the research concentrated exclusively on municipalities where local protest did not succeed, some criteria could be identified which contributed to a significant protest such as a relevant size of the community in comparison to the size of the municipality, a strong sense of community identity owing to a separate history (affiliation to another parish; proximity to a larger town in the neighbouring municipality), or legal educational rights for minorities. These factors had a significant impact on the outcome of protest, often leading to the community obtaining some form of adequate compensation for the loss of the school - such as the establishment of a kindergarten.

Methods and data sources
The results are based on 32 qualitative interviews with mayors who reported an elementary school closure in Austria between 2001 and 2014. To make sure to get the broadest picture possible of circumstances in which the closures occurred, we shared the 32 interviews proportionally, according to the number of closures in each federal state. We also took into consideration the following aspects: the number of pupils at the time of closure, the year of closure, the distance to the next school, the remaining number of schools in the community, the size of the community and the region it was in.

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