Patriots never give up and never give in. Miracles can happen and everyone is working it these days. The Health Care Task Force has provided a link to Tweet on Twitter the 7 Senators who make pivotal opportunities for Patriots. On this page you will also see a link to send an email off to these same Senators. It will have the standard saying, but go ahead and add your own personal touch. See mine below:

—–Original Message—–
From: Deleted for Privacy
To: Deleted for Privacy
Sent: Tue, Dec 22, 2009 2:28 pm
Subject: Thank You

Thank you for taking action for taking action to stop the passage of Harry Reid’s $2.5 trillion government takeover of you health care.

Your message was sent to:

Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln
Senator Michael F. Bennet
Senator Evan Bayh
Senator Byron L. Dorgan
Senator Ben Nelson
Senator Arlen Specter
Senator Jim Webb

I am writing to urge you not to be Sen. Harry Reid’s 60th vote in passing the health care reform package the Senate is considering.

I support reform that lowers costs while increasing quality of care, not a government takeover of my health care. A massive expansion of the federal government and increasing taxes is NOT the reform we need. Numerous polls show a majority of American’s agree with me.

Please do what the American people are asking you to do. Vote against this bill.

Time to Take Congress to Task
21 12 2009

If Congress doesn’t know how to control spending of the taxpayers’ dollars maybe we should teach them how to budget their own finances. It is past time to retroactively amend their pay, retirement, and luxury use of the peoples’ facilities. All special interest “payoffs” should go back into the kitty aka “National Debt” whose clock is clicking faster than any time bomb. I detailed some of my thoughts in a Twitter stream a couple of days ago. I believe “We the People” can make this happen!

The latest slap to the American Citizenry came at just after 1 am EST this morning, when – the U.S. Senates’ 60 Liberal Democratic Senators ignored the will and views of “We the People”. The Democratic Senators worked on a “buy my vote for the highest bribe so that I can retain my cozy digs on the dole” aka “the highest paid Welfare positions in the USA.

We see what you are up to, and if you won’t fulfill the wishes of the American People, we will change the collective of Congress in 2010 and every year after! By the way, I am a Proud Tea Party Member!

This upcoming Spring, the brothers of Zeta Eta invite you to come join us as we recognize and celebrate Sigma Nu’s 60th anniversary at Tufts University!  We have scheduled a full weekend of activities for Alumni and their families this May 8th and 9th.

All Alumni are welcome!

Currently the schedule reads as follows:

Sat. May 8th, 2010

Afternoon Barbeque w/ the Brothers at the Zeta Eta Chapter House – 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Zeta Eta Brother and Alumni Panel Discussion at the Sophia Gordon multi-purpose center – 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Catered Dinner (either at Alumnae Hall or the nearby hotel, Hyatt Place Boston) – 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Evening Reception at Sigma Nu – 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Sun. May 9th, 2010

Breakfast and Coffee at Zeta Eta – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Recognition and Award Ceremony – 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Lunch – 12:00 p.m. to  –:–

We hope to reserve a block of rooms at the Hyatt Place Boston hotel, located just two miles from Tufts University.  We encourage you to bring your family.  Child entertainment and babysitting services will be provided.  We hope to create an accurate price estimate be included in our upcoming newsletter.  If you are interested in attending, want to help to organize the event, or simply have a question, contact the brotherhood at:

sean.conroy@tufts.edu (Alumni Relations)

jonah.gold@tufts.edu (Commander

We look forward to seeing you soon!Zeta Eta

Day 58 – A Sheffield Celebration: We drove up to Sheffield today to join the rest of Ellie’s family for a meal celebrating her uncle’s 60th birthday.  Undoubtedly a time for champagne, although it didn’t exactly go well with the wonderful cupcakes that we had instead of a traditional birthday cake.  Cheers!

Happy 60th Birthday to my dad !!!

East Notes: Stingy McKenna, Curry wins 60thOctober 22, 2009

Also see… West Notes: Griffins, Admirals open at home

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Rookie defenseman Kevin Marshall scored his first professional goal for the game-winner in Adirondack’s 2-1 win over Hershey on Friday… Krys Kolanos netted his 100th career AHL goal and first of the season on Saturday in a 2-1 overtime loss to Albany… On a brief conditioning stint, goaltender Brian Boucher made 30 saves for Adirondack on Sunday in a 4-2 win at Bridgeport… Jason Ward tallied his 100th AHL goal in the game against the Sound Tigers… The Phantoms host Hartford on Friday night before making their first visit of the season to Albany on Saturday. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Albany’s four-game winning streak came to an end on Sunday in a 5-3 loss at Worcester… The River Rats were trying to win five straight games for the first time since Jan. 31 to Feb. 13, 2009… Captain Pat Dwyer netted a pair of goals in the loss to the Sharks, his first multiple-goal game of the season… Jerome Samson has begun the season on a six-game scoring streak and leads the Rats with four goals and 10 points thus far… Albany’s penalty kill is a perfect 21-for-21 on the season; the River Rats have only taken 16.33 penalty minutes a game, one of the lowest averages in the league… The Rats host Rochester and Adirondack this weekend before a Sunday visit to Bridgeport. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Binghamton won its first two games to open the season but is winless in five straight since (0-3-2-0)… The Senators have surrendered the game’s first goal within the opening six minutes in each of their last three contests… Denis Hamel picked up an assist in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss at Rochester, and the captain now has a point in seven straight tilts (2-6-8) to begin the campaign… Ryan Keller has netted a goal in five of his first seven contests (5-3-8)… Martin St. Pierre paces the B-Sens and is tied for third in the league with 10 points thus far (4-6-10)… Binghamton visits division rivals Syracuse and Hershey this weekend. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

After starting the season a franchise-best 4-0-0-0, Bridgeport has totaled just three goals in losing three straight contests… The Sound Tigers’ 4-0 loss at Lowell on Tuesday marked their first shutout against since a 3-0 defeat at Norfolk on Feb. 6, 2009… Greg Moore tallied a goal in both games last weekend for the Sound Tigers, and Dustin Kohn added a score on Sunday vs. Adirondack… Bridgeport is in the midst of playing six games in a nine-day span; the stretch concludes this weekend as the Sound Tigers visit Manchester on Friday before hosting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday and Albany on Sunday. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Hartford dropped a 2-1 decision at Springfield on Saturday despite outshooting the Falcons by a 33-14 margin… Defenseman Michael Sauer scored his first professional shorthanded goal for Hartford’s only tally of the night… The Wolf Pack opened the season with two losses, then won two straight, and have now been on the short end of the score in their last two outings… Top snipers Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau and Corey Locke were each held without a point in the Pack’s losses at Portland and Springfield last weekend… Hartford visits Adirondack on Friday before hosting Lowell on Saturday and Worcester on Sunday. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Four of Alexandre Giroux’s five goals so far this season have come at Binghamton’s Broome County Arena, including a pair in Hershey’s 3-2 overtime win over the Senators on Saturday… Giroux has registered the game-winning tally in both of the Bears’ visits to Binghamton in the early going… Hershey set a franchise record with 27 shots in the second period of the game on Saturday… The Bears have surrendered a league-low average of 1.33 goals per game, allowing just eight opposing markers in six contests… Hershey will host Binghamton and Portland this weekend after a Friday night visit to Wilkes-Barre. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Two of Lowell’s three wins thus far have been courtesy of shutouts by new goaltender Mike McKenna, who has yet to surrender a goal at home this season… McKenna blanked Portland on 38 shots on Oct. 11 and turned aside 40 shots in a 4-0 win over Bridgeport on Tuesday… Saturday’s 7-5 victory at Worcester marked the fifth time in team history that the Devils scored at least seven times in a game; Lowell accomplished the feat three times last season, scoring seven on Feb. 14 at Albany and Jan. 9 at Portland, and eight on Dec. 27 vs. Providence. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Manchester opened the home portion of its schedule with two wins last weekend, outscoring Portland and Springfield by a combined margin of 10-1… Goaltender Jonathan Bernier earned his first shutout of the season in the home opener vs. Portland, making 29 saves in a 4-0 win… Scott Parse has racked up six points (2-4-6) in his last three games and leads the team with 11 points (2-9-11) through seven contests; Parse’s nine assists are tied for most in the AHL, and his 11 points rank second… Bud Holloway posted three goals and four points in the two home wins last weekend… Manchester continues a six-game homestand with tilts against Bridgeport and Providence this weekend. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Norfolk is 2-1-0-0 against the Atlantic Division this season and 0-3-0-0 against fellow East Division rivals… The Admirals will host Atlantic foe Portland for a pair of games at the Scope this weekend… Ryan Craig is currently riding a four-game scoring streak (4-1-5) since going scoreless in his first two outings of the campaign… Juraj Simek (0-3-3) and Paul Szczechura (1-1-2) both have points in back-to-back games… Brandon Bochenski has netted a goal in four of his last five contests (4-0-4)… The Admirals have killed off all 15 opponent power plays over their last five games, but their power play now ranks last in the league at 4.3 percent overall (1-for-23). 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

After going the entire 2008-09 season without suffering a shutout, Portland was blanked twice in the first six games of this season… The line of Tyler Ennis, Nathan Gerbe, and Jeff Cowan combined for 11 points in Friday’s 6-3 win over Hartford, which represented the Pirates’ largest goal output of the young season… Ennis (3-1-4) netted his first three pro goals in the game, and reigning AHL rookie of the year Gerbe also had a four-point night (1-3-4)… Cowan’s two-goal effort represented his first multi-goal game since enjoying consecutive two-goal games for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks in March 2007. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Providence outscored Lowell and Portland by a combined margin of 11-4 in taking a pair of home-ice victories last weekend… Top-scoring forwards Vladimir Sobotka (4-6-10), Brad Marchand (6-2-8), and Trent Whitfield (3-5-8) were all recalled by the parent Boston Bruins this week… Mikko Lehtonen also has eight points (3-5-8) thus far and now leads active team forwards… Defenseman Andy Wozniewski leads the league in scoring with 13 points (4-9-13) in six games… Goaltender Dany Sabourin is 4-0-0 at home thus far… The B’s host Worcester on Friday and visit Manchester on Saturday. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Springfield is out to a 3-0-0-0 start at home this season but is 0-4-0-0 on the road thus far… The Falcons’ penalty-killing unit is 15-for-15 at home and 24-for-34 (70.6 percent) away from the MassMutual Center… Charles Linglet leads the Falcons with six assists and nine points, and Chris Minard (3-4-7) is tied with Linglet for the team lead in goals… Newly signed veteran Chad Wiseman registered three points (1-2-3) in his first three games with Springfield last weekend… The Falcons will stay in Massachusetts this weekend, hosting Lowell on Friday before visiting Worcester on Saturday and Lowell for a rematch with the Devils on Sunday. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Tom Sestito has registered a goal and an assist in both Syracuse victories so far on the season… Both wins have come at home, while the Crunch show a 0-3-0-1 mark on the road… The Crunch have taken a lead after the first period twice this season and gone on to lose both games… Syracuse has had eight players record a multiple-point game already this season… Derek MacKenzie scored his seventh shorthanded goal in a Crunch uniform on Saturday at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, tied for fourth on Syracuse’s all-time list… Alexandre Picard’s goal on Friday vs. Norfolk moved him into 10th place in team history (58). 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

Ryan Bayda went scoreless in his first two games of the season but totaled a team-high three goals (3-0-3) in a pair of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton victories last season… Second-year pro Dustin Jeffrey racked up five assists in the wins over Binghamton and Syracuse… The Penguins are 2-2-0-0 at home on the season, and both victories have come at the expense of the Crunch… Goaltender John Curry earned his 60th career AHL win on Saturday, moving his impressive record to 60-29-4 in 95 games… In his first Wachovia Arena appearance of the season, Mark Letestu tallied the winning shootout goal on Saturday vs. Syracuse. 

 Schedule/Scores Player Stats
Goalie Stats 

First-year forward Logan Couture has a goal in three straight games (3-4-7) and has notched the game-winning tally in two of Worcester’s three victories thus far… Couture paces the Sharks and is tied for second among AHL rookies with eight points overall (3-5-8)… Frazer McLaren, who totaled two assists in 75 games last season for Worcester, already shows two helpers in two games this year… T.J. Trevelyan (2-3-5) is riding a four-game scoring streak, and Dan DaSilva is on a three-game run (1-2-3)… The Sharks travel to Providence on Friday, host Springfield on Saturday, and visit Hartford on Sunday. 

Tuesday roundup: McKenna, Devils blank BridgeportLa Liga round-Up

As some people may know snoopy turns 60 next year! And to celebrate there is an exhibition is Japan featuring Snoopy  wearing stuff designed by some of the worlds top designers! I think the G.V.G.V is my favorite!

Dear Readers,

Today kicked off the first day of official activity @ the IAC2009 for the student delegation. This morning, the 20+ student delegates from each space agency (CSA, NASA, ESA, JAXA) totalling over 100 students, each took the time to meet and greet with each other, with formal introductions from the Heads of Education of each of the agencies addressing the education efforts of their organizations. This was a great place, for me, to update myself on a “1 year” progress report for where each agency has come since IAC 2008 Glasgow.

Afterwards, each Agency and their students broke out into independant sessions, for specific tasks. The CSA allowed our Canadian Delegation of 26 students to work on an upcoming intiative of the CSA to reach out to students in schools across the nation of Canada.

Also I will be presenting on the Iris Experiment & ISU, Wednesday, Oct 14th 2009 @ 1400 at the International Student Zone.

Regards and thats all for now! Cheers.

President Hu Jintao addressed a ceremony at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 1 to celebrate the 60th National Day of the People’s Republic of China.

An armored unit at the military parade held at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, on October 1 to mark China’s National Day (Photo: AFP)

The event was attended by many Party and Government leaders, ministry officials, local authorities, representatives of diplomatic missions in Beijing, and foreign guests.

Mr. Hu, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, said that the country would promote peaceful cross-Taiwan Strait relations and maintain its principles of “peaceful unification” and “one country, two systems” to keep stability and prosperity in Macao and Hong Kong.

He said China would also maintain its policy of peaceful development and friendly relations with all other countries under its five principles of peaceful co-existence: mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

He highlighted the significance of the coming into being of the People’s Republic of China 60 years ago and the country’s achievements since adopting its renovation and open-door policy 30 years ago.

He called on the Party, army and people to endeavor to build China into a modern, harmonious, civilized, democratic, and prosperous country, and join hands with other countries to boost peace and prosperity in the world.

Following his speech was a parade involving 200,000 military and civilian participants and a military parade by more than 8,000 soldiers and modern equipment.
 
Also participating were a 1,300-member military band, a choral band of 2,100 singers and 300 children.

Dissidents call for closer scrutiny of prison labor, workers’ rights and urban displacement… From VOA. Full story

This site may contain information about: chinas. For a different topic see diver watches. The blog is also related to: china jade.

China celebrates six decades of Communist Party rule with a show of military might and a spectacular fireworks display…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: chinas. For a different topic see man. The blog is also related to: china rain.

September 30: Human Rights Protest at Washington DC PRC Embassy

By R.E.A.L. Organization

On the afternoon of September 30 in Washington DC (October 1 in Beijing), the Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) human rights group, Falun Dafa (Falun Gong), World Rights’ Timothy Cooper, and other human rights activists met to protest the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the Communist People’s Republic of China (PRC) at the Washington DC PRC embassy.  (See Web link to DC Embassy protest photographs.)

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s Jeffrey Imm Leads Protest at PRC Embassy in Washington DC

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s Jeffrey Imm began the protest by offering the PRC embassy a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Chinese.  As it did during R.E.A.L.’s address to the PRC embassy on June 4, the PRC embassy refused to accept the copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, telling him to “take it away.”

R.E.A.L.’s Imm first spoke at the protest challenging the PRC to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), reading it aloud and holding up signs with the UDHR in Chinese.   He noted the history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including its drafting by P. C. Chang of the Republic of China, and the adoption by the Republic of China on December 10, 1948.  Imm stated “the words in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are not just the words of the West, these are the words of Chinese government leaders.”

Imm recognized the subsequent October 1, 1949 proclamation of the Communist People’s Republic of China (PRC) as “a black day for Chinese freedom.”  He read from Mao Zedong’s October 1, 1949 proclamation that “the people in the country have been liberated,” and Imm stated that “in fact, October 1, 1949 was the beginning of the Communist imprisonment of the Chinese people’s human rights, and we stand here at the PRC embassy today in solidarity with those who continue to seek freedom in China today.”

R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm recognizes October 1 as “A Black Day for Chinese Freedom”

Imm paused after reading key aspects of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, pointing out how the PRC has refused to recognize democracy, the rule of law,  freedom of speech, and freedom of religion, among other human rights violated by the PRC.  Imm also challenged the PRC on the Laogai “forced labor camps” as equivalent to slavery also prohibited by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (an estimated 1,100 Laogai camps imprison 6.8 million Chinese).

Imm focused on Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that “everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion,” stating that our conscience is a fundamental part of our human identity.  Imm challenged the PRC to recognize that just as the PRC cannot keep the birds from flying in the sky, so also the PRC cannot  shackle, chain, enslave, imprison, or kill the conscience of the Chinese people, or the conscience of humanity.  Our conscience, Imm stated, was what differentiates us from other beings – and nothing any government or organization can do can silence the human conscience.  Imm challenged Western governments and Western people to recognize that our “mutual interests begin with universal human rights,” and that no matter how much “easier it would be to ignore our conscience on Communist China, it is not a choice that humanity can afford.”  Imm stated that “we must heed the call of our conscience regarding our 1 billion brothers and sisters in humanity whose human rights are denied under Communist China’s oppression.  Our conscience must never be for sale, barter, or exchange.  Our conscience is what allows us to have a human society of dignity, freedom, and human rights.”

Imm further noted Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reading that  “everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.”  He stated that in the PRC, those seeking democratic reforms have continued to be oppressed, jailed, and killed for the past 20 years in the PRC.   But Imm stated, this Article 21 was part of the same human rights declaration that Chinese government leaders agreed to and helped draft in December 1948.  Such democratic freedoms, Imm argued, are “not a Western idea, but a fundamental part of the universal human rights shared by all people.”  Moreover, Imm pointed to even the PRC’s former premier Zhao Ziyang’s support for democracy as shown by the recently published “secret journal” of Zhao Ziyang entitled “Prisoner of the State.”

Imm stated that many nations have made mistakes in their history on such human rights, including the United States.  But for all of its mistakes, Imm continued, the United States has sought to recognize such universal human rights as truths that its people find inalienable, not disregard universal human rights as inconvenient international standards as the PRC government continues to do today.

Imm stated “Our protest today is to send a message to our brothers and sisters in humanity in China.  You are not alone.  We stand with you in your struggles for freedom.  Have courage!  We will continue to pressure our government and urge our people to make your human rights our first priority in dealing with China, not our last priority.  We will continue to demand that the PRC recognize and support universal human rights for all Chinese people.  We send our support and our prayers for you today, standing here in solidarity with your struggle for freedom.  Free China Now!”

Responsible for Equality And Liberty also urged their fellow Americans to contact their government representatives to demand that such basic human rights are key aspects of our negotiations and relations with PRC in the future.

The protest was also be co-sponsored by the China Support Network, who advised World Rights’ Timothy Cooper of the event.

World Rights’ Timothy Cooper at PRC Embassy Protest

Timothy Cooper stated “If there is one fundamental right we should enjoy, it is the right to self-determination, that is the will of people must be freely expressed in the government of the country.  For the Chinese people, they have never known the right to self-determination.  They have never known the right to free expression of their own political interests.   As such, the growth of China as a democracy, as a palace of human rights, has been thwarted and the people suffer. ”

World Rights’ Timothy Cooper Speaks at PRC Embassy Protest in Washington DC

Timothy Cooper continued: “Who are these people?  The Falun Gong, the Christians, the Catholics, the Tibetans, the Uighurs, the Chinese Democrats, all of these people suffer because they are denied a fundamental human right.  So we are here today to call on China, even in the midst of its rising economic power, to ascend to another level – to ascend to a place where the will of the people is fundamentally respected and regarded as the principal source of power and governance of the nation.  These people must be free, free to express their own political will, create their own political destiny and fortune.   So we stand in solidarity with them, we call for the end of human rights abuses in China, we call for the respect of rule of law in China, and we call on the Chinese government in particular, to step away from its past, and embrace a new future, a future that has about it the wholesale reflection of the wants and needs of the people of China – as embodied in their voices and by their consent.   It is no easy thing to stand against a government as powerful and as all-pervasive as the Chinese government is.  With our voices added to countless thousands of voices both inside China and outside China, we hope to see the day when democracy rules, self-determination rules inside China.”

Lisa Tao of the Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) also was a part of the protest at the Washington DC embassy.  Lisa and other Falun Gong supporters held banners in the park gates across the street from the PRC embassy where the protesters were allowed to gather.

Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) Protests at PRC Embassy in Washington DC

Falun Dafa Activists Arrange Protest Signs Across from PRC Embassy

Lisa spoke of the PRC abuses against the Chinese people, the oppression of the Falun Gong and others, and pointed to PRC’s despicable practice of organ trafficking of prisoners.  Lisa stated that she and other protesters have been coming to the PRC embassy every day.  She will not call the PRC as “China,” saying “China is my home… the PRC is not China.”   Lisa and her fellow activists vigilantly post banners challenging the Communist PRC government and its denial of human freedoms and freedom of religion.

Falun Dafa’s Lisa Tao and R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm Discuss the Oppression of the Chinese People by the PRC Government

During the protest, a long-pending rainstorm finally came.  The Falun Dafa activists and R.E.A.L. protesters continued their protest in the rain, patiently and vigilantly.  They sought to mark their solidarity on this day, September 30 in Washington DC, October 1 in Beijing, by standing together with the Chinese people fighting for freedom – no matter what challenges will come.

As R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm concluded in his message to the Chinese people, “Have Courage!  Know that you are not alone!  We stand with you in solidarity!”

Falun Dafa Protesters Continue in the Rain at the DC PRC Embassy

R.E.A.L. Continues Protest in Rain

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) Protests at DC PRC Embassy

Sign with Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in Chinese – Preamble and Articles 1-3

(NOTE: News reporter Vladimir Kara-Murza, Washington Bureau Chief for Overseas Media Production (Russian Television), interviewed R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm regarding today’s protest at the Washington DC PRC embassy.  If a weblink to that interview becomes available, we will update this posting with that interview.)

For more information, contact:
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
Website: http://www.realcourage.org
Email: realpublic@earthlink.net

Security forces with black masks and machine guns on the streets of China’s capital are just the more visible side of a security clampdown in the country this month: there is also its secretive battle to control the Internet.

Click here for more

Prideful 60th

Start to work on a gift for PRC 60th birthday. This feeling is complicated; I feel I should feel proud as China is really entering her golden age.Everyone seems to seek for a higher quality of life other than satisfying the basic needs. Nevertheless, there ‘re lots of problems in China, such as corruption and poor, and I know this is a stage toward beginning a really great country in the world, like what the United.States did in the past.

To be continue tomorrow-

As country celebrates realization of significant goals, challenges remain… From VOA. Full story

This site may contain information about: china tibet. For a different topic see wristwatch clock. The blog is also related to: chinas.

This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to throw a joint party for my wife Jeanene and a dear friend of the family Larry Lyons.  Jeanene turned 30 and Larry turned 60, there are those that go through life repeating birthdays over and over, you know who you are ladies.  But then there are those that choose to celebrate life, my wife and Larry believe in this.

Pam, Larry’s beautiful wife and mom to my best friend of over 21+ years opened there home to have the gathering.  Since most of our friends are one and the same and since their birthdays were so close together we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get together.  When the four of us get together we typically have a glass or two of wine, share some cheese and occasionally break out the chocolate from the private stash.  So we decided to throw a wine, cheese and chocolate party, mix that with about 60 or 70 of our closest friends and you have a recipe for something special.

We had wines, cheese and chocolate from around the world.  Pam must have taken Central Market by storm since there were probably 20 different varieties of cheese.  Everything from Garlic and soft smoked goudas to sharp cheddars and brie from around the world.

I pulled chocolate from my private stash, I horde chocolate like I do my wine, out came the cappuccino truffles, dark chocolate and almond bricks from Belgium.  I then enlisted the help from Han from Hans Chocolatier in Dallas to make some of his designer truffles; Mint, Cinnamon, Walnut, Mocha and Amaretto.  I had to make sure they were all up to standards before the party so I had my fill beforehand but from what I heard from others at the party also they were delicious!

Working with Dallas Affaires Cake Company we came up with a beautiful design to match the color and theme of the party for Jeanene.  The cake looked amazing with special embellishments including the unique seahorses hanging from the coral on the top to the scrolls and dark ganache stripes and dots around the edges.  Not only did the cake look amazing but it tasted even better, with all the chocolate on the outside we thought we would play a trick on the senses and go with white cake inside with a Grand Marnier and fresh strawberry filling.  Larry’s cake was an old favorite Chocolate on Chocolate and just as deep and rich as it sounds.

About 25 different wines made their appearance at the party, many took their first breath and many years and then found their way to many delicate palettes.

Friends came from all over to spend this special evening with us, to celebrate the 30 and 60 years both Jeanene and Larry have been with us.  I can honestly say that I cannot wait to see what is in store for the next.  We had such a good time catching up with all of you let’s not take quite so long to all get together and share another glass of wine or piece of chocolate.

The party spread, just a little bit of it anyways, chocolate, cake and cheese.

Dallas Affaires Cake Company Seahorses

Belgium Dark Chocolate and Almonds

Just a few of the white wines that were available for sampling.

Jeckyl Productions Fine Art - A little selfish plug and promotion

Hans Chocolatier truffles

Caroline serving it up

Pam & Jeanene

Jeanene & Grammy

Grammy, Jeanene & Dixie (Mom)

Jeanene & Dixie (Mom)

Matthias & Pax

Jeanene & Angel "Salut"

"The Ladies"

"The Ladies & Their Men"

Margarita anyone?

Larry and all "60" of his candles

The cake was to beautiful to stick a candle in so we just sang Happy Birthday instead.

Wedding Day Reenactment, "she really was the first one to throw cake even though I know the video tells a different story."

I'm told this book is really a great read, "Sex After 60" pick up a copy now at your local Sam Moon store.

America’s most notorious crooked street got a makeover last week thanks to Hasbro celebrating Candyland’s 60th Anniversary.  About 20 workers “sugarcoated” Lombard Street in San Francisco with purple, yellow, blue, orange, green and red blocks along the 1/4 mile path creating a larger-than-life version of the game.

I’ve been taking a break from blogging my sermon drafts this summer (that’s what they are – I’ve shifted to outline preaching, which means the “final” draft is what comes out of my mouth. We post those on the church website and have been podcasting for a couple of months now). My preaching this summer is focusing more on Bible Study and less on exposition. We’ve having less lecture and more conversation as a result.

Anyway, our Session was very busy on Sunday, beginning to implement a number of things that have been in the work for some time. I’ll be posting some of them here in the coming days.

First is a revamped Vision and Mission Statement. Enjoy!

Vision
Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community of faith that uses our gifts and resources to continue the earthly ministry of Jesus. We exist as a church not merely for ourselves – the broader community is our congregation.

Mission
We engage all the faithful in the ministry of the Church. Our witness is intergenerational. We value theological and political diversity and are building a congregation where all can find their voice and know their purpose in God’s ministry. We root ourselves in Presbyterian traditions while remaining open to the work of the Spirit as it re-creates us for today’s ministries. As a community that puts faith in motion, we value creativity and innovation as hallmarks of the Spirit at work in the world.

Our ministries are a response to God’s grace already at work in our lives. And so we exist for the community around us, which includes our members. Our building is at the center of our ministry, not the extent of it. Our property exists to house our worship, to facilitate our ministries, and to equip the larger community’s engagement in God’s mission. As a people of faith in motion, we gather together so that the Spirit might shape and move us so that our lives are empowered to serve God by serving others.

Ours is a story that belongs to God. As we celebrate our sixtieth anniversary, we look forward in hope to the unfolding of that story and the growth it will bring in the years to come.

I was home over the weekend to visit the Mammy. The purpose of my visit was to get her up and running on the laptop I bought for her 60th.

Boyfriend did all the necessary things one must do to a new laptop. He hooked it up to the broadband and installed the software. Mum did not like the abundance of colourful wires that splayed from the laptop’s rear.

“I thought broadband was wireless. Why are there so many cables?”

We explained what a wireless router was and that she would have to buy one.

“I will buy one after my holiday in France,” she comforted us.

The laptop sat on the counter top all weekend. Occasionally, Boyfriend and I put it to use. Mum admired it from a safe distance next to the kettle.

“It really is a nice laptop, isn’t it? I like the size.”

I’m concerned the laptop has become no more than a techie addition to the various ornaments she has around the house.

Before we departed for Dublin, on Sunday, she asked Boyfriend to show her “how to get on Google”.

“I like Google,” she said in an affectionate tone.

WOAH. What a hectic weekend. First off. Migraines. Every single day = Bad Mood every single day. Second off, GennaVIVA can now OFFICIALY give How-To on how NOT to make a tiered cake. Let us count the ways to an ultimate path of destruction after a seemingly good start.

Ultimate Chocolate Cake

Serves: 8

For Cake:

1 extra-large egg

125ml cocoa sifted

125ml oil

375ml cake flour

5ml baking powder

5ml bicarbonate of soda

2ml salt

125ml buttermilk

5ml vanilla essence

250ml sugar

125ml hot water

For Icing:

250g white chocolate broken into squares

250ml cream

15ml butter

Drop red food coloring

Now the first thing to write off: The Icing.

Although lovely tasting, it doesn’t set. At all. Not even with a BAG of icing sugar.

1. Preheat oven to 150C and grease two 20cm cake tins with butter or nonstick spray. Line the tins with baking paper, and grease again.
2. Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl in the order they’re listed, blending them only once the last ingredient has been added.

1. Beat until smooth.
2. Turn the batter into the prepared tins and bake for 30 minutes or until the cakes are done ( a testing skewer inserted into the centre of the cakes should come out clean).
3. Cool slightly in tins till before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

1. Cut each cake in half to from two thin layers if desired.

We suggest using normal water or cream cheese based icing sugar for sticking the layers together.

Secondly: Do not tier in different sizes. It will crack in the middle and run down the sides.

Decorate as desired.

So besides all the stress, and the general consensus that the party was going to be a total disaster, it ended up looking super cute! Suited the Aunty to a T.

It was pink and yellow themed as promised! The table was decorated by hanging Chinese Lanterns above the table.

The original “disaster cake” was replaced by little cupcakes spelling out Happy Birthday in little candles. This became the centre of the cuteness factor on the table.

The original cake was just cut into pieces and served on the table. Covered in fake flowers. Yes, it helped disguise the ugliness.

The same flowers were scattered over the table.

Including floating candles and roses.

Some yumalicious milktarts. Very South-African-traditional dessert.

No party is complete without tea in the fancy ware!

Some extra chocolate cake with butterfly confetti.

General table layout with The Beefy in the background fixing up the music.

All this equals one very beautiful, fun and cute party.

The Birthday Girl!

60 YEARS YOUNG.

No really. You have no idea.

Going home. Domo at the wheel: shhhh! Don’t tell anybody, it’s not legal.

Thought we would just crash. Instead GennaVIVA got worked up about having a food photography studio thingy. So The Beefy was enlisted for his manly skills in making light boxes. Pffft.

Look at our first results!

And here is la Julia enjoying the box as her new throne. Nice. Thanks.

All in all, this was an extremely succesful and fun, if stressful Saturday!

]]> http://slocuminsurance.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/60th-anniversary-edition/ Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:47:36 +0000 slocuminsurance http://slocuminsurance.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/60th-anniversary-edition/

Standing from left to right: Nick, Phil, Bob & Chris Seated: Hazel & George Slocum

On April 15, 1949 an ambitious young man named George Slocum made a decision that would impact his family for generations to come. On that day, George decided that he was going to start his own insurance agency and, with the support of his young wife Hazel, he created what would become The Slocum Agency, Inc. a full service, professional Independent Insurance and Real Estate agency in their home town of Warwick, Rhode Island.  With little other than a used desk stuck in a corner of their rented house, and a recipe box of index card to track both their prospects and policies sold, George began selling his family and friends on his ability to take care of all their insurance needs.  “Count On Us” was his slogan, and that is exactly what a steadily growing customer base did.

When asked about those early years, George tells the story of his first policy which was sold to his wife’s uncle, Ray Kirby.  Ray was an early supporter of George and Hazel’s effort to establish their business and build a better life. In fact, he not only bought the first policy but he also encouraged them to buy their first house (even though at the time they had no money to speak of).  These two actions, coupled with a steadfast determination to succeed, became the essential basis for the economic well being of not only the Slocum’s, but many other families who have been employed by the agency over the years.

From that humble beginning in the small rented house in the Gaspee Point section of Warwick, George and Hazel worked together selling one small policy at time to build a business of great value that would become the economic basis for their family for 60 years to come.  In the 1970’s sons Bob and Phil joined the business and later became the 2^nd generation owners, determined to carry on following George’s retirement in 1991. Now with the addition of their sons Chris and Nick Slocum, The Slocum Agency, Inc. is entering its 3^rd generation and serves the insurance and real estate needs of thousands of families and business.

So here we are, 60 years later, still going strong, living a much larger, modified version of the dream conceived by that young couple.  The Slocum Agency, Inc. is well known and highly regarded both inside the industry and in the community as an organization of integrity that is committed not only to doing the right thing for their customers, but also to giving something back to the community through the many volunteer efforts of the family and employees.  Basic core values that everyone can be proud of.

So today, on behalf of the entire group of family and friends who have benefited from George and Hazels vision, we take a moment to thank them and to wish everyone involved a Happy 60^th Anniversary! 

so i went to texas over the weekend. my sister and i planned a surprise joined 60th birthday party for my ma and pa. 

i gotta say, it went off without a hitch, they loved it and it was so much fun. 

we ate mexican food, crawfish is in season, life down in the dirty couldnt be any sweeter.

im actually going home again in may so im going to thoroughly abuse the crawfish, molest it. the hotter the better.

now im back in LA. i gotta say i love this town, but cant help to feel my time with mama and daddy was too short this time. i already miss them like a kid going off to school for the first day. i know, i know,  im grown. but im still just a lil girl.

peace on hump day.

n.