text:
Let Us Build Pakistan has issued in-detailed report about attacks on Shias of Pakistan during 2017.
According LUBP report on Shia killing in Pakistan total 33 attacks on Shia community due to their Shia identity were reported in Pakistan during 2017. Report reveals that 308 people lost their lives and 548 got injuries in these attacks.
A study of this report shows that Parachinar headquarter of tribal Kurram Agency of Fata was repeatedly hit by Takfiri Deobandi terrorists and sole targets were Shia living there. Six big suicide bombing were occurred there in which total 182 Shia-Pashtun were killed and 203 injured. Main markets and Imambargahs were targeted.
Responsibility of all these attacks was accepted by Lashkar-i-Jhangvi , Jamat-i-Ahrar and TTP jointly (all Takfiri Deobandi terrorists groups).
During all month of 2017, in Baluchistan Shia-Hazara community was targeted again and again by Takfiri Deobandi terrorist groups. In Quetta capital city of province Baluchistan 15 Hazara Shia people were targeted to death and 11 injured in 9 targeting attacks and 4 Shia Hazra were targeted to death in Mastung city of Baluchistan.
In KPK total 5 attacks were made on Shia people in which 8 people were targeted to kill. Noteworthy thing is that these all attacks were made in Dera Ismail Khan District of KPK. This district is worst affected district of KPK where hundreds of Shia were targeted to kill and injured during a decade.
In Sindh total 9 incidents of attacks on Shia community were reported in 2017, in which 96 people were killed and 203 injured. Suicide bombing on Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar at Sehwan was the biggest attack in which 90 Shia people were killed and 200 were injured(although there were total 150 people lost their life in which 90 were identified as Shia, rest martyred were Sufi Sunnis). 5 of total 6 incidents of target incidents happened in Karachi, capital city of Sindh.
Two people were killed and two injured during an attack on Imambargah at Islamabad capital city of Pakistan. One attack was reported in Muzaffarabad, capital city of Azad Kashmir, in which a Shia scholar got injuries.
After 9/11 during in 17 years, near about 25000 Shia people were killed and thousands of injured in attacks made by Takfiri Deobandi jihadist organization all over the country. Imambargahs , Shia mosques, Mourning processions, Mourning meetings at both public and private boundary walled were targeted by Takfiri Deobandi terrorists organizations. Even women and children of Shia community were not spared. This is clear cut slow genocide of Shia community in Pakistan run by Deobandi Takfiri terrorist's organizations.
Despite all these details mentioned above, discourse of mainstream media, elite liberal civil society is still inclined to obfuscation of, denial about or justification for such attacks on Shia community. This discourse has been made on false binaries, cheating and deception. Mostly commercial liberal mafia is responsible for this misguided discourse.
Shias of Pakistan are persecuted community which is being marginalized, victimized and targeted to kill by Takfiri (Excommunicators) Fascist network mainly emerged from Deobandi School of thought. Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal-Jamat- ASWJ aka Sipah Sahabah Pakistan-SSP is mother organization of this network.
ASWJ is in fact running a slow genocide campaign in Pakistan against Shias of Pakistan. According to ideology of founding father of ASWJ Haq Nawaz Jhangvi Shias of Pakistan are biggest enemy of Islam and apostate and they should be declared non-Muslim like Ahmadis. ASWJ runs very organized and deep rooted network all over the country having main mission to spread extreme hate and creating anger leading to violence against Shias of Pakistan.
ASWJ has its roots not only in state institutions but in structure of civil society ( From lawyer to doctors community and from trading chambers to journalist community, from teachers to social activists) and its network in state institutions, in Political parties, in civil society exerts pressure on state to impose ban on traditional Shia practices in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands traditional Shia Mourning processions and mourning meetings have been banned by provinicial and district governments all over the country. Even now Shia cannot hold Mourning meeting-Majils in their houses without permission.
Even now Shias cannot wave black flag to commemorate Ghazi Abbas broth of Imam Hussain, who was flag holder in Battle of Karbala. Hundreds of cases registered by Police in all provinces on waving Alam Ghazi Abbas in Public places and in all cases complaints were members or sympathizers of TakfirI Deobandi organization ASWJ. So marginalization is real thing happening in Pakistan in case of Shia community and target killing of Shia community due to their religious identity is also another reality.


text:
Wyoming updated regulation for grizzly bear hunting
Cheyenne – The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will meet in Lander on May 23, 2018 to discuss and vote on a potential grizzly bear hunting season. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at The Inn in Lander in the Peaks Conference Center, 260 Grand View Drive. The public is invited to attend and provide in-person comment.
The Commission will be discussing two regulations: Chapter 32, Regulation Governing Firearm Cartridges and Archery Equipment and Chapter 68, Grizzly Bear Hunting Seasons. The regulation is for grizzly bear hunting seasons and adds to another existing rule that was passed in 2017 to establish some of the specifics around grizzly bear management. The proposed regulations are available on the Game and Fish website.
The updated regulation changes the quota of female grizzly bears allowed to be hunted to one, reduced from two. "This a further effort to ensure our first grizzly bear hunt in over 40 years is conservative. Additionally, the changed proposal reflects our work to address any concerns about the hunting allocation process between the states of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana," said Brian Nesvik, chief game warden.
The updated proposed regulation also clarifies the process to obtain a license if a hunter is placed on the grizzly bear license issuance list for hunt areas 1-6. Hunters who are high enough on the list will be required to submit payment for their license fee and proof of a hunter education certificate within 10 days of notification.
Additionally, the updated proposal establishes 10 day hunt periods for those hunting in areas 1-6.
The draft quota inside the demographic monitoring area, which is the area experts deemed as suitable habitat is 11 bears with a very conservative bear female sub-quota. Allowable mortality limits are developed using a pre-set formula outlined in a cooperative agreement between the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Input from the the public last fall suggested this proposal include mandatory education for grizzly bear hunters, hunt areas and regulations to direct harvest to areas with higher potential for grizzly bear/human conflicts, a closed portion of a hunt area next to Grand Teton National Park to support the wildlife viewing tourism economy and a prohibition against hunting grizzly bears near highways.
The cost of grizzly bear licenses was previously set in law by the Wyoming Legislature.
The State of Wyoming supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Anyone needing auxiliary aids should contact the Game and Fish at (307) 777-4501. Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
"It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king's anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible." Hebrews 11:27 (NLT)
We don't have a dog (yet?), but every time I'm at any of my friend's house that have dogs, I love to watch how the dogs behave in the kitchen. It's like the dogs have been trained to watch their master's hand. Watching and waiting for the moment when a morsel of food may come their way. Watching and waiting for a crumb to fall from their master's table. Then running to gobble up whatever the master has offered, then waiting and watching for more.
Every time I watch this, I wonder if we are as watchful and attentive to our Master's hand. And what makes it even more impressive is that no dog-owner has ever intentionally trained their dog to behave this way in the kitchen. The dogs have trained themselves.
So I must ask: Have we trained ourselves to watch and wait for God's hand? Have we trained ourselves to respond automatically and enthusiastically when we see our Master begin to move, and do we enjoy His offering to us only to wait and watch for more?
It takes training to watch and wait for God. It takes training to wait and to move only when we see our Master move. It takes training to act as if we know that there is a world of difference between His strength and my own. And waiting to do it in His strength and power and timing.
And, just like in the physical realm, training is not a one-time deal. Training requires practice and repetition. Lots of it. Training requires doing it over and over again, each time learning from our mistakes and tweaking our performance. It means watching and waiting and then acting on promptings … and sometimes falling down, but getting back up because we are keeping our eyes on the One who is invisible.
So where's your focus these days. May it be true for you and for me that our focus is increasingly on our Master's hand.


text:
|Location: New Belgrade
Type: Office
Size: 27.000 m2
Classification Category: Green Office Building
Certification Level: LEED Gold Pre-Certification
Status: Planned
The complex will comprise three office building swith total gross area of 27 000 square meters, with optimal floor plates of 1.300 square meters. One parking space will be provided for each 60 square meters of leasable area. The building is designed to suit trends in the market. Tenants will be assured maximum space functionality and each floor can be easily subdivided into separate leasable areas depending on tenant demand. GTC FORTYONE will be one of Belgrade's premier modern office developments, located in a prominent position in New Belgrade, on the corner of Bulevar Milutina Milankovica and Bulevar umetnosti.


text:
Chinese Maple, Catskill, NY, 1981; oil on canvas, 14 x 28 in.
Someone recently asked me why I'd stopped doing complex landscape paintings; I answered that I wanted to get closer to 20th century reductive abstraction, which I love. But that's only part of the story: I also wanted to get out from under the heavy burden of content, the meaning––environmental, sociological––of those paintings. So this post is meant to tell the story of my journey, and it is related to my recent posts on William Carlos Williams, "no idea but in things", and John Singleton Copley, "The Primacy of the Object".
When I was a young artist exhibiting my "portraits" of domestic architecture, it never occurred to me to wonder what my paintings were about, except for the formal aspects of light, color, composition, form, mass and detail. I had studied with Philip Pearlstein, who eschewed "meaning" in his painting. The figures in his work were not metaphors or narratives; they were bodily facts, used to create dramatic compositions. As a full disclosure, I have to mention that for a few years around this time I also painted narrative figure compositions, so whatever yen for story I had went into those.
The Potato Field, Cutchogue, NY, 1982; oil on canvas, 15 x 34 in.
Soon I began to expand my field of vision to include the landscape around the houses. Because I was still very interested in structured compositions, my attraction was to land that had been worked: an agricultural landscape. I slowly began thinking about the meaning that resided in the land.
Tractor and Ag-Bags, Groton, Vermont, 1994; oil on canvas, 30 x 90 in.
I read books in cultural geography, such as John B. Jackson's Discovering the Vernacular Landscape, and John Stilgoe's Common Landscape of America: 1580 to 1845; and books that explored the meaning of art beyond the formal, such as T. J. Clark's The Painting of Modern Life: Paris in the Art of Manet and his Followers, and W. J. T. Mitchell's Landscape and Power. Now the landscape was no longer simply a beautiful expanse of space and light, but carried history and culture; it showed all aspects of its use and abuse. The agricultural landscape became, for me, evidence of the positive and negative aspects of our relationship to the land.
Hay Storage, Central Valley, California, 1995; oil on canvas, 44 x 66 in.
In the early 90s, for three years, I taught in California. Being there was a huge shock to my understanding of agriculture: this was the land of industrial farming, the image above at a dairy where they milked thousands of cows. Single vegetable crops were grown in huge acreages, everything prodded into growth with fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. As a colleague of mine mentioned, "the soil is just there to hold the plants up". So all these meanings resided in the paintings I was doing; they weren't overt, but they directed my subject matter of plastic and tires, machinery and manure.
White Hose, 2005; egg tempera on panel, 28 x 42 in.
In 2002 my focus shifted again, influenced by still life photographs I was doing with my first digital camera. The landscape left the picture and all that remained was the stuff of agriculture, the machinery, the plastics, the silage, the concrete. At first the paintings were large and complex, but as time went on, I made the compositions simpler as I zoomed in to the subjects. I began to feel hemmed in by my content; what had motivated me before––the difficult environmental and social issues around farming––became extraneous to my concerns, which were formalist.
Opening, 2013; egg tempera on calfskin parchment, 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.
In 2010 I began to paint very small works on parchment; their compositions have become quite simple and direct...."no ideas but in things"....and the things are in themselves enough. I still find my subjects in agricultural implements; they have such variety of shape and color that they are of continual interest to me. But I don't expect any story beneath them, any social/historical/environmental content; there is enough meaning and feeling and mystery in color/shape/form/light/composition. I know there are many people who wish I was still painting large complex landscapes, but I have to answer, in the immortal words of Bartleby the Scrivener, "I would prefer not to".


text:
Photo taken by contributor Danielle, a writer, photographer, and mental health advocate who suffers from bipolar II. Photography has been a helpful tool in her recovery and symptom management, especially with depression and anxiety. About this photo: "Many years before I was diagnosed with having a mental illness, I enjoyed dressing up and pretending to be someone else,... Continue Reading →
Monk's Robes
Photo taken by first-time contributor listen to the babe, a woman who has suffered from anxiety since the age of seven. Her first depressive episode occurred when she was in her thirties. She has since had three major depressive episodes, with each episode lasting a few years. With the help of cognitive behavioral therapy, and a stubborn nature, she... Continue Reading →
A Young Person's Mental Health
Photos taken by first-time contributor Thea Waldron, a 21-year-old fine art photographer currently based in the West Midlands, England. Thea has struggled with both depression and anxiety. Her work is an examination of human behaviour and challenges our perception of the issues facing society. Thea's work is mostly portraiture-based and she frequently uses herself as the subject of her imagery. About these photos: "A young... Continue Reading →
Going Nowhere
Photo taken by contributor Annie, a woman living with PTSD, depression, anxiety and a myriad of disorders. Annie also lives with her cat, Zoe, and enjoys drawing, reading and walking in the months that her surrounding landscape permits. About this photo: "Going Nowhere is that feeling of being stuck. Of having the doors to walk through and not... Continue Reading →
Existing in Extremes
Photo taken by contributor Jaeda DeWalt, a conceptual self-portrait artist in her forties from Seattle, Washington. Her battles with mental illness hearken back to her earliest memories, at age 4, when she became obsessed with the number four and performed exhaustive rituals in patterns of four. During her teen years, she began noticing extreme mood swings, manic one moment and depressed the next, and... Continue Reading →
Special Place 1
Photo taken by contributor Matt Williams from Portsmouth, UK. In his late teens and early twenties he learned that he was living with bipolar disorder. He felt lost and in many ways just existing rather than really living life. He has since stabilized, and discovered things that are good for him, such as creativity, and what he should avoid. His bipolar has... Continue Reading →
A Love Story
Photo taken by contributor David Ocampo, a graphic designer, musician and photographer in his twenties from Mexico. David began feeling depressed at a young age. He has survived two suicide attempts, and continues to battle depression. The only times when he doesn't feel the pressure and sadness are when he is creating art and taking photographs. About this photo: "there's a person so important... Continue Reading →
My Body
Photo taken by contributor Kendra Kantor, a woman in her twenties from Chicago, Illinois. Kendra is a mother, writer and photographer who has suffered from mental health issues for most of her life. When she was 13, she started to recognize depression in herself and reached out for support. She started therapy and medication, and was... Continue Reading →
Seeing The Light
Photography by first-time contributor Katie McLaughlin, a teenager from Connecticut. Katie was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder and anxiety when she was thirteen years old. She has since been hospitalized many times due to both manic and depressive episodes. Thanks to medication, therapy, family, and friends, she is finally starting to live life to the fullest. About this photo:... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Carrie Hilgert, a photographer and painter in her thirties from Northeast Kansas who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After venturing into digital photography, she became interested in documenting her life with self portraits. This became particularly helpful when her life started to fall apart due to depression. All her other creative outlets left her, but she... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Hannah, a 21 year-old who has battled depression and anxiety for seven years. She kept her depression and attempted suicide hidden for several years, but has since opened up about her story in an attempt to encourage others do the same. She helped start The Resilience Project to provide a platform for students to share their... Continue Reading →
Layers Of Our Mind
Photo taken by contributor Jacque who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD. She is a graphic designer, wife, and mother to two boys. She is learning to draw from God's strength to get her through every day. She has also found art and music to be great healers and outlets for the soul. About this photo: "I... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Liz Gilbert, a 29 year old graphic artist who has dealt with mental health challenges for over 15 years. She was first diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and bipolar at the age of 13. Although the symptoms and delusions altered her teen years, Liz has since grown to become aware of her early signs of depression... Continue Reading →
Port In A Storm
Photo taken by contributor Jim, a man from Texas who has struggled with depression for much of his life. About this photo: "We all face storms. Sometimes we must wait them out in not the best of accommodations. But we wait them out. We must, knowing that the skies will clear and that bluer skies can lead to... Continue Reading →


text:
The Film Maker
Leila Sansour is an acclaimed film maker with an unconventional portfolio. She is the founder and spokesperson of OPEN BETHLEHEM, an organization that works to bring international commitment to the resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian question using Bethlehem as a gateway into the situation. She is a well known speaker on issues of the Middle East. She has written articles and given talks at the British parliament, The Royal Institute of Foreign Affairs (UK), The Royal College of Defense, The Carter Center, Amnesty International and many other venues.
Leila holds a masters degree in philosophy. She began her career in television working as a producer and commissioning editor for MBC and then moved to produce 15 episodes of Aljazeera's leading documentary series "Encounter in Exile".
She is best known for her feature‐length documentary, 'Jeremy Hardy versus the Israeli Army' 2003, a tragicomic film shot with celebrated British comedian Jeremy Hardy. The film received four‐and five‐star reviews in the national press before its release across cinemas in the UK and its tour in the US as part of Amnesty International's Roaming Film Festival.
Leila's latest film 'OPEN BETHLEHEM ' 90min, was realised at Christmas in 2014. The film was shot over five years in Bethlehem during the building of the Israeli wall and has resulted in the gathering of one of the largest visual archive of the city both past and present. Plans are currently being discussed to turn the collection into a permanent museum.


text:
English - I love you
Latin - Te amo, Arabic - Ana ahebik, Turkish - Seni seviyorum, Lebanese - Bahibak, Japanese - Kimi o ai shiteru, Chinese - Ngo oi ney, Indonesian - Saya cinta padamu, French - Je t'aime, Swiss-German - Ch'ha di ga"rn, Spanish - Te adoro, Portuguese - Eu amo te, Italian - Ti amo, Greek - S'ayapo, Albanian - Te dua, Dutch - Ik hou van je, Irish - Taim i' ngra leat, Greenlandic - Asavakit, Swedish - Jag a lskar dig, Czech - Miluji te, Bosnian - Volim te, Russian - Ya tyebya lyublyu, Lithuanian - Tave myliu, Armenian - Yes kez si'rumem, Zulu - Mena tanda wena, Afrikaans - Ek is lief vir jou, Samoan - Ou te alofa outou, Brazilian - Eu te amo, Bolivian - Qanta munani, Eskimo - Nagligivaget!!
Oh and of course... a BIG Happy Birthday to my little brother who was a Valentine's Gift for my parents 24 years ago today too!!!!
February 14, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Posted by Giggleberry (Amy) at 1:31 PM
Labels: birthday, I love you, Valentine's
3 comments:
- A Gilmore Girls Fan said...
Happy Valentine's Day to you as well.
I love the photo with the fireman below, by the way. So cute.
- February 14, 2009 at 10:27 PM
- Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...
- February 15, 2009 at 2:41 AM
- Lesley said...
Happy Love Day...and Birthday to your Brother....and of course theres me...attempting all the different languages....lol
- February 15, 2009 at 3:11 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
How the Christian Crusades Saved Civilization
The siege of Antioch during the First Crusade – ( Photo: Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Not too long ago I had a conversation with a millennial who criticized the Crusades carried out by the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages, arguing that they were both unprovoked and immoral. He sustained, without any convincing evidence, that they were launched by the popes against innocent Muslims for the sole means of imposing papal hegemony. There is quite a bit of misunderstanding, especially from revisionist historians and people who willfully choose not to inform themselves, as to the reality of the Crusades and how close the then-civilized world was almost conquered by Muslims.
Raymond Ibrahim in his article Just War vs Plain-Old Jihad states that "[w]herever one looks, the historic crusades against Islam are demonized and distorted in ways designed to exonerate jihadi terror. Unless we get on our high horse," Barak Obama once chided Americans who were overly critical of Islamic terror, "and think this [beheadings, sex-slavery, crucifixion, roasting humans] is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ." Islamic scholars and activists who insist that Islam is a religion of peace go so far to say, if not equate, the Crusades to the jihad carried out by ISIS, al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and other Islamic terrorist gourps.
There is, however, a clear and substantial difference between the Crusades and jihad. A jihad is based upon an Islamic political doctrine justifying looting, killing, and conquest of non-Muslims with the aim of imposing the sharia as the rule of law. The Crusades were a collective response to the ongoing conquest that began with the taking of the Holy Land (Jerusalem) by Muslims in 638 and other Christian territories. Even if some of them were unjust, such as the sack of Constantinople of 1215 (which was condemned by Pope Innocent III, not to mention that he also excommunicated the Venetians who carried out the raid), they were not doctrinal in the literal sense, as jihad is to Islam. Also, contrary to popular opinion, when Pope John Paul II made an apology on March 12, 2000, for the sins and crimes committed by those who represented the church in its history, he never offered one to the Muslims for the Crusades.
Ibrahim goes onto say that "[t]he great irony concerning the mainstream condemnation of the historic crusades is that a closer examination of them — what they meant, what inspired them, how they were justified, who could participate — in comparison to the requisites of jihad, not only exonerates the crusades but exonerates the West of any wrongdoing against Islam, past or present."
The First Crusade, which was called by Pope Urban II in 1095 (457 years after Jerusalem was overrun by Muslim armies), came at the behest of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus. He had asked the pope in Rome for assistance to turn back the Muslim Turks, who were invading what is now Turkey; they took property as they went, turned churches into mosques, and forced Christians to convert to Islam. Approximately two-thirds of the ancient Christian world had been already conquered by Muslims by the end of the 11th century, including the important regions of Palestine, Syria, Egypt, and Anatolia. It was also that time that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the place traditionally held where Jesus Christ was buried, was destroyed by Abu 'Ali Mansur. Soon thereafter all Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land were cut off by Muslims. While Mansur did not attack Christendom directly, he demonstrated scorn for the religion, in addition to destroying 30,000 churches in the Middle East.
The goal of the Crusades, as already mentioned, was to retake and ensure that Christianity could continue to be practiced without any type of Islamic imposition. Attempting to check this advance, they initially enjoyed success, founding a Christian state in Palestine and Syria, but the continued growth of Islamic states ultimately reversed those gains. By the 14th century the Ottoman Turks had established themselves in the Balkans and would penetrate deeper into Europe despite repeated efforts to repulse them. By the mid 1550s they had slowly conceived of a long-term offensive, a pincers movement first by sea and then by land, to conquer the whole northern shore of the Mediterranean. Their ultimate aim was to take all Italy; then all Europe. It was not until the victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 that, under the coalition of Pope Pius V, the Islamic onslaught began to be turned back as Western civilization was saved — the Crusades were formally over by the 16th century, though the spirit of defending Christendom against Islamic jihad was still in place.
The Crusaders, for their part, kept their military operations within lands that were Christian, for their goal was never to overthrow the Turkish Empire, which is why they never attacked Saudi Arabia, specifically Mecca, unlike what the Muslims had done to Constantinople in 1453. That being said, in order to appreciate the necessity of the Crusades, one has to understand how comprehend the 1,400-year-old Islamic threat of jihad subjugate humanity
Detail from miniature painting The Prophet Muhammad, Ali, and the Companions at the Massacre of the Prisoners of the Jewish Tribe of Beni Qurayzah, illustration of a 19th-century text by Muhammad Rafi Bazil. Manuscript now in the British Library. (Image: Public Domain)
Islamic jihad or holy war was initiated on what we today define as terrorism carried out by the Prophet Muhammad. He used terror tactics by ensuring discipline among his followers by making public examples of traitors and backsliders. In Muhammad's day the penalty for apostasy in Islam was death. He also ordered some of his political enemies assassinated, including poets and singers who had publicly ridiculed him. After Muhammad's famous victory at the Battle of Badr in 624, the Jewish clan Bani Qainuqa were stripped of their goods and expelled from Medina. In 626, the other two remaining Hebrew tribes, the Bani Nadir and the Bani Quraiza, were besieged. After their unconditional surrender, the Jews were slaughtered, had their riches confiscated, and their women and children enslaved. In 628, surmising that his forces were still not strong enough to overcome the rival and once-native Quraysh tribes, Muhammad agreed to the Hudaybiyya Accord, named after the place in which the ten-year treaty was signed; he reneged on this pact less than two years later, after consolidating his power. The Prophet eventually ordered all the tribe's adult males, some nine hundred, beheaded in the city square, the women and children sold into slavery, and their property distributed among his Muslim followers.
History demonstrates that as Muslims grew in power, their use of violence changed from skirmishes to outright warfare. We see this during the last nine to ten years of Muhammad's life, when he personally participated or deputized eighty-six battles: an average of nine-plus battles a year, and they culminated in intensity until he died. According to Patricia Crone, the renowned Islamic historian, after the capture of Mecca in 630, "Muhammad's God endorsed a policy of conquest, instructing his believers to fight against unbelievers wherever they might be found; and if we accept the testimony of non-Muslim sources, he specifically told them to fight the unbelievers in Syria [the Caravan raids], Syria being the land to which Jews and Arabs had a joint right by virtue of their common Abrahamic descent. In short, Muhammad had to conquer, his followers liked to conquer, and his deity told him to conquer."
The first legitimate jihad after the Prophet Muhammad's death, according to various Islamic scholars, occurred when Muhammad's successor, Abu Bakr, suppressed the many Arab tribes who rejected his authority. Bakr's intransigent and belligerent response towards those who refused his governance, historically known as the ridda (apostasy) wars (632-33), paved the way for the Arabs to attack and conquer most of the areas bordering the Arabian Peninsula: Iraq, Syria, Egypt, etc. These jihadist conquests (from 634 to ca. 740) transmuted the Middle East by causing a linguistic shift from Aramaic and Greek to Arabic and transforming Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism to Islam (over a period of centuries), thereby creating an Islamic empire that would last until the fall of the Ottoman dynasty in 1924.
We know from history that the once powerful Roman and Christian North Africa, the land that gave birth to a number of great Catholic heroes and heroines, such as saints Cyprian, Augustine, Felicity, and Perpetua, vanished under Muslim assaults. Except for their moral and intellectual accomplishments, those great figures might as well never have existed in present-day North Africa. Those who still criticize the Crusades should be reminded that discussing peace in the Middle Ages with the Muslim jihadists — as the United States is doing with the Taliban — would have been as effective as British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's Munich Agreement with Adolf Hitler in 1938; a peace treaty the latter reneged just as the Prophet Muhammad did with the aforementioned Hudaybiyya Accord. What followed afterwards on both Islamic and Nazi fronts were onslaughts to "purify" society. Just as it was necessary for America to enter World War II to stop Hitler, had it not been for the Crusades, unsuccessful as many of them were, perhaps Islam would have already taken over the rest of the world since there would have been no opposition to the Muslims' ambitions of Islamizing society.
N. B. Quotations and sources can be found in my book k Islam: Religion of Peace? The Violation of Natural Rights and Western Cover-Up, unless, unless otherwise noted.


text:
July 13, 1973 – President Nixon: And Now, Pneumonia.
July 13, 1973 – NBC Nightly News – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
July 13, 1973 – On a day already filled with Watergate news, word from the White House was that President Nixon was now suffering from Pneumonia and was heading off to Bethesda Naval Hospital for treatment. Doctors were reported to have said Nixon was running a fever between 101 and 102 and that signs of his illness were apparent during a meeting with Henry Kissinger and West German Foreign Minister Walter Scheel. After admitting the President, updated reports said his condition did not get worse, nor was it getting better; it was staying pretty much the same. Visitors were confined to Mrs. Nixon, daughter Julie and son-in-law David Eisenhower and security was tightened around the five-room Presidential Suite at the Hospital. He was expected to stay at the Hospital for at least a week. It marked the first time President Nixon was ill since entering the White House and the first time that he was hospitalized.
But there was other news – Back on Capitol Hill – the Watergate hearings were continuing. White House official Richard Moore was being the subject of more sharp questions this day. Moore continued to maintain the position that the President knew nothing of key White House people involved in the coverup until March 21. And he insisted, despite Senator Sam Irvin's best efforts, that Nixon knew nothing prior to that time. It was clear that many on the committee were no more satisfied with Moore's answers to questions than they were the day before. He was slated to return for another session after the weekend.
The New York Times reported that H.R. Haldeman told the Watergate Committee staff that he had no part in planning the burglary, and didn't know there was a coverup until March of this year (1973).
It was felt that many of these questions regarding Watergate would be answered if the committee were able to get its hands on White House documents. But President Nixon said he had no intention of giving them up, but Sen. Irvin said there will be no backing down in its effort to get the documents. He said he was ready to vote to issue a subpoena, and he claimed support of the entire committee. He said the documents were necessary in order to determine the truth.
And on and on it went, as reported this July 13, 1973 by NBC Nightly News.


text:
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) chapter at Seton Hall University has been awarded with 2019 Gold Chapter Honors, and they could not be more excited about it. National NSSLHA Chapter Honors are awarded to affiliated NSSLHA chapters that demonstrate an outstanding effort to support National NSSLHA's mission to inspire, empower, and support students in communication sciences and disorders programs. This award comes as the outgoing executive board who earned these honors prepares to graduate and enter the workforce after two years and five semesters of intensive coursework, clinical internships, and service to the profession and community. The NSSLHA chapter at SHU had a busy two years of service including community outreach activities, legislative advocacy, and fundraising all of which contributed to their Gold status.
Community outreach activities included university and community based activities. At the university, the NSSLHA chapter raised awareness on hearing health by distributing earplugs on campus with information about how to protect yourself from noise related hearing loss, and offered free hearing screenings to individuals upon request. This is especially important given the increased use of headphones by students and faculty on campus. Another campus related activity was to provide an information session to undergraduate students who were interested in pursuing a graduate degree in speech language pathology. Outside of the university community, the NSSLHA group increased awareness of vocal hygiene for teachers in schools where they were placed during their first year of graduate school. This was an important initiative given that teachers are at a high risk for voice problems including vocal nodules and so they provided teachers with a vocal care kit that included a bottle of water, a throat lozenge, and a list of tips for maintaining a healthy voice during the school day. Members of the SHU NSSLHA chapter also volunteered in June of 2018 at the New Jersey Special Olympics where they assisted with providing hearing screenings to the athletes and families participating in the event. Legislative outreach included having a representative from the group, Anne Bucca, attend a daylong event at the Governmental Affairs Building and Trenton Congress Hall where students from around the state had a chance to meet with congress representatives and observe legislative hearings. Upon her return, Anne took the time to discuss her experience with her classmates and highlighting the importance of being involved with governmental affairs related to the profession. Fundraising activities including raising money and donating to the American Speech Language Hearing Foundation NSSLHA scholarship fund from which scholarships are provided to students at the undergraduate, masters and Ph.D. levels for meritorious contributions to the field.
Lizzy Kling, one of the co-presidents of the group shared a quote from the group on why it was important for the board to achieve 2019 Gold Chapter Honors, "Being a member of a female dominated profession is very empowering. We're all very driven individuals and decided on the common goal of achieving gold status for our chapter for the first time ever. We wanted to represent Seton Hall University as a class who understands and values the importance of advocacy for our profession, teamwork in the field, and a strong work ethic."
NSSLHA is the only national student organization for pre-professionals studying communication sciences and disorders recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Established in 1972, National NSSLHA is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, and supports 13,400+ members and 300+ chapters at colleges and universities nationwide. At Seton Hall University, NSSHLA is a graduate student organization for those enrolled in the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology program in the School of Health and Medical Sciences. Dr. Koutsoftas has been the academic advisor for the student group since 2012 and the group has earned Bronze and Silver honors in the past; however, this is the first year that the group has earned Gold Chapter Honors.
Categories: Education , Health and Medicine


text:
Minimum wage is the lowest amount of money employers can legally pay staff in exchange for labour.
The concept of minimum wage as we know it goes all the way back to the 12th century. While there is debate about the benefits and drawbacks of a minimum wage on a country's economy on a macro level, the simple fact is that fair work deserves fair pay.
This is particularly important in South Africa, where unemployment is high. According to the Credit Suisse's Global Wealth Report 2017, 68% of South Africans fall into the lowest wealth category worldwide – those possessing assets with a total value of less than $10 000.00, or around R140 000.00 (at the time of writing, May 2019).
In other words, more than two-thirds of South Africans would be extremely vulnerable to exploitation if minimum wage laws didn't exist.
On 1 January 2019, the National Minimum Wage Act came into effect.
We chatted to Candace Bachmann, a legal specialist at Justine Del Monte & Associates Incorporated, to find out what changed and how it affects small business owners.
What does the law say about the minimum wage a small business needs to pay its employees?
As at 1 January 2019 the National Minimum Wage Act 2018 ('Act') came into effect and workers are entitled to a national minimum wage ('NMW'). The sector in which the worker is employed or contracted will determine the amount applicable. For example, domestic workers are entitled to a NMW of R15.00 per hour while farm workers are entitled to R18.00 per hour. General workers will be entitled to a NMW of R20.00 per hour. Workers earning in excess of the NMW will continue to earn at the current rate and employers may not lower the hourly rate to the current NMW.
Are contract / temp workers included?
The term 'worker' appears in the legislation and means that both employees (temp and permanent) and contractors are covered by the Act.
Are there any industry-specific caveats?
If the small business operates within an industry or sector which is subject to a Sectoral Determination, that business must abide by the minimum wage determined for that specific industry or sector as set out in the Sectoral Determination. Therefore, the NMW will not be applicable to businesses within regulated industries. Examples of industries/sectors subject to Sectoral Determinations are the Wholesale and Retail Sector, Hospitality Sector and Private Security Sector.
Are there exemptions?
Yes. Chapter 4 of the Act contains an exemption process which, if the employer qualifies, exempts them for a limited period of time from paying the NMW.
As a small business owner, how do I get an exemption?
An employer may apply for exemption with the Delegated Authority and must lodge such an application through the National Minimum Wage Exemption System. An employer may only be granted exemption if the Authority is satisfied that (1) the employer cannot afford to pay minimum wage and (2) representatives of the employees or the employees themselves have been meaningfully engaged in consultations.
What penalties could I suffer if I choose to ignore this?
In terms of the amended Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997, an employer must be aware that there are two areas of 'penalties' which may be applicable.
1. Section 76A – Fines may be imposed, by the Department of Labour, if it is determined that the employer is not complying with the Act and not paying employees the NMW where applicable.
2. Section 73A – An employee may refer a dispute to the CCMA for conciliation/arbitration if the matter relates to the non-payment of the NMW in terms of the Act. In such disputes the conciliation/arbitration process may not be objected to and no legal representation is permitted. A binding award will be issued by the CCMA once it has heard the matter.
Okay, so that's the legal stuff sorted. What about the ethical part of the conversation?
With Candace kindly establishing the legal implications of the new Act, other implications of the NMW – and minimum wage principles in general – come sharply into focus.
One company doing great work on this front is SweepSouth. With one eye on innovation within an industry through technology – and dignified, flexible work and decent pay for its employees on the other – the tech startup is in a strong position to weigh in on the conversation.
We caught up with co-founder and CEO Aisha Pandor. She offered insight and authority on the matter of minimum wage, and a whole lot of hope for the future.
"Our continent's biggest strength is its people. Particularly our youth, who have incredible untapped potential. We want to create a platform that allows anyone to earn a fair rate, under decent work conditions, to customers who need their skills."
As of May 2019, SweepSouth employs over 7000 SweepStars. Many of these workers were previously unemployed. And the vast majority are earning more now than they were at any point prior to joining the tech startup. As such, minimum wage is very much on SweepSouth's radar.
"It protects the labour force against exploitation, particularly in economies with high unemployment rates. A minimum wage helps to stimulate the economy, and it should increase over time along with inflation and economic growth."
The influence minimum wage has on a country's economy and workforce morale should never be underestimated.
Having grown massively since launching in 2013, the impact that SweepSouth has had on the unskilled and semi-skilled workers has been significant.
They've overcome the typical challenges that tech companies face, such as getting customers to trust them with their details. And that the service paid for would actually be delivered on. Bearing in mind that Uber had only just entered the local market at the time, it was a proverbial mountain to climb.
Then there's the added pressure of their service requiring smartphones on both sides of the transaction – a luxury many SweepStars didn't have until they joined. With technology becoming more affordable and therefore more accessible, this isn't as much of a hurdle now. It's a mark of progress Aisha is grateful for.
"The shift speaks to our ability to recognise that although smartphone penetration was an issue when we launched, it would be temporary. Natural trends move towards increased access to apps and other services via the internet, and data costs are decreasing."
That access is crucial. And to have access, you need to earn money. Which brings the focus sharply back to the minimum wage.
Is the minimum wage enough to live on?
As Candace outlined in the legal side of the conversation, the minimum wage for workers in the domestic sector is 25% less than workers in the general sector.
According to a study conducted and published by SweepSouth themselves, the minimum wage for domestic workers doesn't cover their average expenses.
To put it into perspective, the NMW for the general workers translates to roughly R150/day, or around R3200/month. But various sources cite the real living wage for a single adult in South Africa at upwards of R4200/month.
In other words, the NMW falls approximately R1000 short of what it costs someone to live with any level of dignity and comfort. And that's if they're living alone.
Consider then that workers in the domestic sector earn even less.
To combat this, it's possible to look into things like social grants, housing benefits and medical support – initiatives that reduce the cost of living. It's also important to regularly increase the minimum wage to keep up with inflation.
Ultimately, on a legal level, these things are out of the control of business owners. But what people can do, and what Aisha is doing, is implement innovative ways to increase what workers are paid.
As ever, technology can help.
"Being a sharing economy platform, we place a premium per hour rate (vs the average paid across the country) on the work done across the platform. But we allow the flexibility of booking a number of hours and a frequency that suits the customer. When work is shared across various customers, the overall effect is that service providers earn more."
SweepSouth is a wonderful example of a business using technology to benefit the end user as well as the country as a whole. Their platform is innovative and their model is a force for positive change.
"The impact and legacy we want to leave to give our people hope, independence and the ability to adequately care for their families. Doing this through technology ensures that people aren't left behind in becoming digitally educated and digitally literate."
SweepStar really is putting power into the hands of the people. We salute them


text:
Even though today is April Fool's Day, poor organizational communication is nothing to fool around about.
Has a conversation with a boss, co-worker or subordinate at your company left you confused, frustrated, stressed or uncertain?
If so, you've been the victim of at least one of the "7 Deadliest Sins of Organizational Leadership Communication."
As a matter of fact, after 8 1/2 years consulting, coaching and training in organization's of all sizes, organizational communication is, by far, the #1 issue employees and managers blame as the root cause of low trust, low morale and poor performance in their organization.
How many people in your organization would say the same thing?
Many of you who have been following my "Champion Leadership Blog" know I've been working on defining the key organizational communication problems leaders must fix to improve morale and motivation to improve performance.
After pre-maturely releasing a white paper report on the 5 biggest leadership communication problems (which some of you have downloaded) I realized it was incomplete. Therefore…
Today, I am officially releasing "The 7 Deadliest Sins of Organizational Leadership Communication."
It is a comprehensive report based on real client case studies accumulated over the last 8-plus years in my business.
Other's who have sampled this report have told me I should be selling this as an e-book for a minimum of $19.95, but I'm just too passionate about getting this information in the hands of as many organizational leaders as possible.
So, I've decided to release as a free download at:www.HowToImproveOrganizationalCommunication.com
You can learn more about this free report and what's in its 34-pages, including client case studies, the problems and their solutions at this link:www.HowToImproveOrganizationalCommunication.com
Additionally, as soon as you order this free report you will also have the opportunity to ask me a question directly related to your most pressing organizational communication question.
I'll help solve it on the spot via e-mail.
Thanks and we'll be in touch soon!
Best Regards,


text:
| Menu Cover Illustration for London-Based Turkish and Mediterranean Restaurant Lara Grill, London Restaurant Menu Illustration, by Illustrator and Artist Yaansoon |
In the months of August and September of 2017, I had the pleasure of working with London-based design and branding studio, Elijah Productions, on a small project requiring me to create an illustration for one of their culinary clients.
The Brief
Lara Grill, is a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant, located in Dagenham, London. My brief was to create an illustration for the menu cover, to replace their current menu design.
The client wanted an illustration inspired by my Mediterranean Food Illustrations: Italian, Moroccan and Turkish Culinary Tour, featured previously on the blog.
The Process
Although the client wanted an illustration that reflected the Turkish and Mediterranean food culture, I noticed that the branding of the restaurant leaned towards minimalism, with select touches that spoke to the Turkish cuisine.
I had a quick look at their social media accounts to understand the kind of aesthetic the restaurant was generally going for, also looked at the pictures in their TripAdvisor page to get a better idea about their colour palette and general restaurant look and feel.
I gave the client several options, and soon after formed a good idea about how they preferred to stay within a minimalist aesthetic. The brief also included their wish to feature some of the items on their menu, mainly, fish, chicken, and meat, in addition to the iconic Turkish tea cup. And that's how this menu cover illustration was developed, and later on approved.
Client: Elijah Productions training and digital design and production agency, for Lara Grill restaurant, London.
Year: 2017.
Illustration Technique: This London restaurant menu illustration was created digitally using Adobe Photoshop, with the help of a Wacom tablet. It was submitted in CMYK file format as it was destined for print.
Illustration Portfolio | Food Illustration | People Illustration


text:
"HAPPY PEOPLE" Hoodies!!! 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾.
Beat the chill and snow with our embroidered hoodies.
Our original motifs will sure warm your heart and lift your mood!! Just as we featured in our tee-shirts last Fall, our embroidery designs are individual works of art, free-motion Embroidered (not computer-generated). No two are exactly the same. Grab one or two....or.... Also available at www.EBDesignPlaza.com
SWIPE LEFT to see more photos, closeups.
Stay tuned for more designs and colors
Available in SIZES: M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
#embroideredHoodies #Hoodies #AfricanHoodies #ghanaiandesigners #africanstyle #ankarahoodies #ankarafashion
3-5 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.


text: An Art of Desire. Reading Paul Auster the first book-length study solely devoted to the novels of Paul Auster. From the vantage-point of poststructuralist theory, especially Lacanian psychoanalysis and Derridean deconstruction, this book explores the relation of Auster's novels City of Glass, In the Country of Last Things, Moon Palace, and The Music of Chance to the rewriting and deconstruction of genre conventions; their connections to concepts such as catastrophe theory, the sublime, Freud's notion of the 'death drive;' as well as the philosophical underpinnings of his work. At the focus of this study, however, is the concept of desire, an important concept in the writings of both Auster and Lacan, and the various manifestations of this concept in Auster's novels. Auster's novels always emphasize a kind of outside of the text , a kind of hope for a 'transparent language, ' a hope, however, that is exactly posited as impossible to fulfill. The relation of Daniel Quinn, Anna Blume, Marco Fogg and Jim Nashe to this lack is the motor of their desire, the driving force for the subject that has always already left the real and has been inscribed into the representational system called 'reality.' It is here, in its relation to the signifier, that the subject's desire is played out, that its experience is ordered, interpreted, and articulated. It is their ability to make connections, to proliferate, to 'affirm free-play, ' their ability 'not to bemoan the absence of the centre' that ultimately decides over success or failure of Auster's subjects - whether they partake in the 'joyous errance of the sign, ' or whether their fate is that of the 'unfortunate traveler.'


text:
Break out your favorite cookie cutters to make these easy and festive little cucumber goat cheese sandwiches! Perfect for Mother's Day or tea time.
So, we all know what today is, right? That's right…we mamas are getting our day in the sun, and in honor of that I wanted to share my favorite little sandwich with you. We know you love us to bits and pieces all year long, but it's still great to have a day where you bring us breakfast in bed and make us homemade cards and where we try our darndest to let you make whatever delicious treat you are making us for Mother's Day without giving you all kinds of helpful advice about how you could be doing it better.
That works best if the Mother's Day chefs have fun but easy recipes to work with, and that is where these adorable cucumber goat cheese sandwiches come in.
But first, I need you to admire my own mama. Here we are in our early days together…
Doesn't she look all kinds of Mad Men-type beautiful? With the gorgeous hair and the teeny cinch-waisted belt dress…right after she obviously just had a baby?
And here I am with my own baby. Note that approximately two years after giving birth, I am wearing a voluminous sweatshirt. At least I managed to get the red-headed baby part right. Vertical pigtails and all.
I am so lucky to be able to say that all three of us will be getting together this Sunday, along with various other mothers and fathers and aunts and uncles and siblings of all kinds, and I will do my level best not to horn in on whatever other people are preparing, even if it is in my own kitchen. Maybe they will try these cute little sandwiches, which are perfect for a Mother's Day tea or brunch or even with a nice Mother's Day glass of merlot at the end of the day.
You want to take slices of soft, thinly sliced bread. If you can't find the thinly sliced kind, just use regular and roll it a little with your handy rolling pin to flatten it out a bit. Now spread the bread with a generous amount of goat cheese and cream cheese mixed up with chives (and if you are not a goat cheese person, all cream cheese is just fine).
Next, layer thin slices of cucumber in slightly overlapping rows on the bread. I VERY CAREFULLY sliced mine with my mandoline, but you can slice it with a knife too.
Now for the very fun part: take your favorite cookie cutter and press down firmly, cutting through the cuke and the bread. I have star shaped cookie cutters that come in all different sizes, so I was able to get a few different sandwiches from each piece of bread, but if you have your own favorite cookie cutters, feel free!
As you can see from the picture, I did a mixture of both open faced sandwiches, and sandwiches topped with a second piece of bread. I liked the open faced ones better for eating – they were a little more delicate – but you can't go wrong either way.
Now go hug your mother please.Print
Cucumber Goat Cheese Sandwiches
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12-24 sandwiches, depending on the size of your cookie cutter. 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Break out your favorite cookie cutters to make these easy and festive little cucumber goat cheese sandwiches! Perfect for Mother's Day or tea time.
- 4 ounces goat cheese at room temperature (you can sub in all cream cheese if you want!)
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
- 1 cucumber, sliced very thin
- 12–18 slices soft thin white bread
- Mix together cheeses and chives. Taste and season with salt and pepper if you think it needs it.
- Spread 12 slices of bread with the cheese mixture. Layer the cucumber slices on top, layering them just a little bit on the sides. If you want a few sandwiches that aren't open-faced, top 6 of them with the remaining slices of bread.
- Using your favorite small cookie cutter, press down through the sandwiches until they are fully cut through.
- Arrange on a pretty plate – these are perfect with a cup of tea or a glass of white wine!


text:
Please access all information for 2017/18 HERE.
Welcome to PhDDesign
International Doctoral Program
A research interface between Design, Science and Entrepreneurship.
Course Director: Professor Heitor Alvelos, PhD (RCA 2003), MFA (SAIC, 1992)
The PhD Program in Design is a joint program between the Universities of Porto and Aveiro, this year being offered by the University of Porto in partnership with the UPTEC Science and Technology Park. A hub environment facilitates knowledge exchange and reciprocal relevance stemming from ongoing research. Various long-terms projects hosted by the Program welcome new, contrasting and complementary contributions from multi-disciplinary perspectives. It is a bi-lingual course, in English and Portuguese.


text:
Ph.D. Orientation Handbook
2019-PhD Orientation Handbook.docx2019-PhD Orientation Handbook.docx
Ph.D. ORIENTATION HANDBOOK
August 2018
I. Penn English Ph.D., Year-by-Year Overview
II. Policies and Guidelines
A. Coursework and Enrollment Requirements
B. Incompletes
C. Independent Studies
D. Distribution Requirements
E. First- and Second-Year Student Advising and Progress
F. First-Year Oral (50-Book) Exam
G. Field Exams
H. Dissertation Proposal Workshop
I. Dissertation WIP Presentations
J. Dissertation Progress Meetings
III. Time Management and Etiquette
IV. Penn English Ph.D. Course of Study
V. Local Acronym Guide
VI. Department Officers, GEC, and GEA Officers, 2018-19
VII. Contact Information
VIII. Discrimination Policies and Violence Prevention
I. Penn English Ph.D., Year-by-Year Overview
Year 1
Take 7 or 8 seminars (4 both semesters, or 4 one semester and 3 the other semester). All students are required to take ENGL6000 (Proseminar) in the fall with Professor David Kazanjian. The Proseminar counts as one of the 13 required seminars.
During spring and summer, prepare for the 50-Book Exam, to be held the day before the start of the fall semester of the second year. You will choose one advisor for your 50-Book Exam in mid-March. 50-Book Exam lists are usually due in mid-April.
Students are strongly advised to pass at least one language exam by the end of their first year.
Students must be registered for at least 3 credits per semester to be considered full-time students by Graduate Division.
No teaching requirements.
Year 2
Take 5 or 6 seminars or grade-bearing independent studies (2 or 3 during the semester in which you are taking ENGL8000 [Pedagogy Seminar], 3 during the other semester).
All students are required to enroll in the Pedagogy Seminar during fall or spring, depending on their TA assignment.
Students must be registered for at least 3 credits per semester to be considered full-time students by Graduate Division.
All students are required to TA one semester and grade one semester. (Graders assist with grading an undergraduate course; TAs assist with grading and run their own weekly recitation section.)
Field Exam lists and rationales are due to the Graduate Executive Committee (GEC) in late April.
Year 3
Take up to 1 seminar or grade-bearing independent study. In addition, in the fall all students will be enrolled in ENGL8500 (Field List). In the spring, all students will be enrolled in ENGL8510 (Dissertation Proposal Workshop taken that semester).
Note: All students must have completed 13 grade-bearing seminars or independent studies by the end of fall semester their third year. Transfer credits can be counted toward this requirement, but ENGL8000, ENGL8010, ENGL8500, ENGL8510, and ENGL9999 cannot.
Field Exam must be taken between Thanksgiving Break and the end of the fall term.
Students must be registered for at least 3 credits per semester to be considered full-time students by Graduate Division.
Dissertation Proposal as well as Junior Research Seminar workshops begin in January.
Dissertation Proposal due to the GEC by the end of April.
Year 4
Two language exams should be passed by the end of this year.
Research and write your dissertation.
All fourth-year students are required to teach one semester of the Junior Research Seminar in either fall or spring.
Present part of a dissertation chapter as a WIP to a Graduate Reading Group.
Dissertation Progress Meeting with full committee.
Year 5
Research and write your dissertation.
No teaching requirements.
Present part of a dissertation chapter as a WIP to the Department.
Dissertation Progress Meeting with full committee.
Apply for fellowships and/or jobs.
Year 6
Research and write your dissertation.
No teaching requirements.
Dissertation Progress Meeting with full committee.
Apply for fellowships and/or jobs.
II. Policies and Guidelines
While the Graduate Page of the English Department website remains the main source of information about specific requirements, you should be aware of the following guidelines, which apply to all students who entered the program in 2012 or later.
A. Coursework and Enrollment Requirements
During the first three years, students must take at least 3 credits per semester in order to be considered full-time students in good standing by the Graduate Division (without this status, Graduate Division may stop paying the fellowship stipend). Students registered for Field Exam preparation and dissertation writing (from the third year on) are allowed to register for one additional course each term.
All students are allowed to audit a maximum of 2 courses each semester. This includes language courses in other departments.
The Department requires all students to complete 13 grade-bearing seminars (this may include up to 2 independent studies) by the end of fall semester of the third year. Students coming in with M.A. degrees may transfer one class toward this requirement (thereby reducing the number of required seminars to 12). Graduate-level courses taken in other departments and at other universities that participate in Penn's exchange program can count toward course requirements. ENGL8000, ENGL8010, ENGL8500, ENGL8510, and ENGL9999 cannot be counted.
B. Incompletes
Students are allowed one incomplete per year, though exceptions may be granted in unusual circumstances.
Incompletes will be granted with permission of the instructor, followed by petition to the GEC. This petition need not be lengthy, but it should include a brief rationale explaining why the student would like to continue working beyond the end of the semester and a timeline for completing the work.
Students should clear all incompletes from their records before taking the 50-Book Exams and Field Exams. Students with incompletes on their records will not be allowed to enroll in the Dissertation Proposal Workshop or to submit Proposals to the GEC for approval. In unusual circumstances, exceptions may be granted with approval of the advisor and petition to the GEC.
C. Independent Studies
Independent studies should not replace regular coursework. Students should take no more than 1 independent study in a given year, and no more than 2 of total required courses may be independent studies. (Courses taken in other departments and at other universities do not count as independent studies and are not subject to these limits.)
Exceptions may be granted with instructor and advisor approval and upon petition to the GEC. Petitions need not be lengthy, but must demonstrate that the additional independent study is critical to the student's progress in the program, and they must include a plan for fulfilling all Distribution Requirements by the end of the student's second year.
D. Distribution Requirements
Each student must take courses that fulfill six distribution requirements:
(1) One course pre-1700
(2) One course 1700-1900
(3) One course post-1900
(4) One course on literature of the Americas
(5) One course on literature outside the Americas
(6) One course in Minority literature (racial, ethnic, gender, sexuality)
The general expectation is that students will take at least two seminars from outside their primary period, national or geographic area, and methodological or theoretical area of study. A single course may be counted toward up to two requirements. (Example: A course on "Race and Empire in Eighteenth Century English Literature" would cover up to two of any of the following distribution requirements: 2, 5, or 6.)
In cases where there is uncertainty about the classification of the course (e.g. a course that extends over a long chronological period or a course that is not exclusively devoted to a single minority literature but includes a substantial portion of that literature), the Graduate Chair must be consulted. In general, a course will count toward a distribution requirement if the student's final paper or project engage substantially with that requirement's subject matter.
E. First- and Second-Year Student Advising and Progress
In their first year, all students should meet with assigned Faculty Advisor at least once per semester.
In their second year, all students should meet with a Faculty Advisor that they designate at least once per semester (this designated advisor can be the First-Year Faculty Advisor or the planned 50-Book Advisor or someone else; s/he will be designated by the student at the end of the first year.)
Before the end of the second-year fall semester, the Graduate Chair will look at students' records and write students to remind them of any unfulfilled Distribution Requirements.
F. First-Year Oral Exam (50-Book Exam)
The 50-Book Exam requires students to demonstrate knowledge of a group of texts that is diverse in terms of historical period; generic and formal categories; national and geographic origin; and racial, gendered, and sexual identifications. Students work with a committee of three faculty members to create a list of 50 texts; at least 30 of these texts should be from outside the student's designated area of specialization. Students will read over the summer to prepare for an oral exam with the committee, to be held the day before classes begin the second year. Committee chairs and one committee member will be appointed by the GEC; the student may choose the third committee member (usually this will be the first-year advisor or the student's designated second-year advisor).
G. Field Exams
All students begin preparing for Field Exams in spring of their second year. Field Exam lists focus on one primary and two secondary areas of specialization; all three lists together should include 60-70 texts. Students submit the lists to the GEC for approval at the end of April of their second year, spend the summer and most of fall reading, and complete the written and oral portions of the Field Exam by the end of fall semester of their third year.
H. Dissertation Proposal Workshop
All students are required to take a Dissertation Proposal Workshop, led by two faculty members in spring semester of their third year. Students must pass the Field Exam and clear all incompletes from their records before beginning the workshop. Workshop Leaders should share with students' committees one set of comments on the proposal. The goal of such sharing is to be sure that Workshop Leaders and committee members are all aware of the feedback students are receiving.
I. Dissertation WIP Presentations
All students are required to present a WIP of one chapter from the dissertation by the end of their fourth year to a Graduate Reading Group, and a WIP of a second chapter by the end of their fifth year to the Department.
J. Dissertation Progress Meetings
Beginning the spring of their fourth year, students should meet with their full dissertation committee each spring. The purpose of these meetings is to get the full committee together with the student to go over progress to date, address questions and difficulties the student is having, and to plan a timeline for completion.
Students who do not defend and deposit their dissertations by the end of their sixth year should continue to hold yearly meetings each spring with their full dissertation committee.
The Graduate Chair will email all faculty and ABD students each spring to remind them to schedule this meeting. No progress reports are required, but dissertation chairs should confirm that the meeting has taken place.
III. Time Management and Etiquette
Time Management
Mantra for all academics: There will never be "more time." In the absence of a genuine, unexpected crisis, stick to deadlines. Be realistic about the amount of time you need to do quality work. Plan into writing schedule time for revisions.
Prioritize curricular requirements (coursework, exams, dissertation writing) over extracurricular activities (reading groups, conference organization, etc.). Keep in mind that every step of our program is directed toward helping you meet the goal of completing a strong dissertation by the end of their sixth year, and that steps cannot be rushed or skipped without negatively impairing this central goal.
More isn't better: better is better. Observe word limit/text limit guidelines for exam lists, seminar papers, and dissertation proposals.
Everyone loves to read clear, correct, elegant prose. Focus on quality and communication rather than quantity.
Ask for help/advice if you need it! This includes not only advice on reading or revising but also advice on setting timelines to complete exam preparation, dissertation writing, articles, conference papers, etc.
Be kind, patient, and courteous to faculty, administrators, and peers.
Respond to emails within a day, even if just to acknowledge receipt.
Arrive on time for seminars, meeting, talks, and courses for which you grade/TA.
Thank faculty and peers for comments on seminar papers, exams, chapters, and any work-in-progress. Thank administrators when they help you.
Turn in administrative forms and applications on time. Give faculty as much lead time as possible for letters, signatures, etc. (generally at least a month for letters, a week for signatures and basic forms). Please do not assume that lack of preparation on your part will translate into an emergency on anyone else's.
Err on the side of formality rather than familiarity. When you ask a professor to be a member of your exam or dissertation committee, begin by sending an email with a brief summary of interests along with meeting request. When writing faculty at other institutions for the first time (with a conference invitation or a request to meet), address them as "Professor __."
IV. Penn English PH.D. Course of Study
(Effective for Cohorts Entering 2012 or Later)
3 seminars
No teaching
4 seminars
12 April 2019: 50-Book List due
No teaching
Read for 50-Book Exam
Aug: 50-Book Exam
2 seminars ó
Pedagogy + TA for 1 class ó
Late April: Field Exam List due
3 seminars
Grade for 1 class
Read for Field Exam
Read for Field Exam
Start Junior Research Seminar (JRS) proposal
Nov/Dec: Field Exam
No teaching
Jan-April: Dissertation Proposal Workshop
Jan-Feb: JRS proposal due
Late April: Dissertation Proposal due
No teaching
Present WIP (if not in spring) ó
Teach JRS (if not in spring) ó
Present WIP (if not in fall)
Dissertation Progress Meeting
Teach JRS (if not in fall)
Present WIP (if not in spring) ó
No teaching
Present WIP (if not in fall)
Dissertation Progress Meeting
No teaching
No teaching
Dissertation Progress Meeting
No teaching
V. Local Acronym Guide
GEA Graduate English Association
GEC Graduate Executive Committee, Department of English
SAS School of Arts & Sciences
GAS Graduate Division, School of Arts & Sciences
GAPSA Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
SAS-gov Student Government of the Graduate Students at the School of Arts & Sciences
SHS Student Health Services
CAPS Counseling and Psychological Services
SIS Student Intervention Services
OSC Office of Student Conduct
ISS International Student Services
OGC Office of General Council
ABD All But Dissertation
WIP Work-in-Progress
VI. Department Officers, GEC, and GEA Officers, 2018-19
Chair: Paul Saint-Amour
Associate Chair: Dagmawi Woubshet
Graduate Chair: Heather Love
Undergraduate Chair: Jean-Christophe Cloutier
Heather Love (Chair)
Margo Crawford
Michael Gamer
Melissa Sanchez
GEA Officers
President: Arianna James
Vice President: Bethany Swann
Secretary: Molly Young
Treasurer: Nat Rivkin
Prospectives Visit Coordinators: Avni Sejpal and Eilis Lombard
Funding Librarian: Jonathan Dick
Grad Lounge Coordinator: Sasha Krugman
GEA Representatives to SAS-gov: George Perez and Natalia Reyes
ABD Representatives: [unfilled]
VII. Contact Information
English Department Graduate Program Calendar:
Heather Love, Graduate Chair
(215) 898-3669
Office: FBH 132
Meghan Hall, Graduate Coordinator
(215) 898- 3669
Office: FBH 133
Stephanie Palmer, Administrative Assistant to the Chair
(215) 898-7340
Loretta Williams, Department Administrator
(215) 898-7343
Office: FBH 130
Elizabeth Anderson Lunger, Business Coordinator
(215) 898-6363
Office: FBH 117
Tim Weal, Senior Business Administrator
(215) 898-8375
Office: FBH 122
Brian Kirk, SAS Computing
(215) 898-6211
Office: FBH 232
Rich King, SAS computing
(215) 746-3523
Office: FBH 232
VIII. Discrimination Policies and Violence Prevention
The University of Pennsylvania has strict rules on discrimination and violence prevention. The University values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices.
Below is a list of useful University websites outlining policies as well as available resources:
Sexual Harassment Policy
Racial Harassment Policy
Office of Student Disabilities Services
Gender Neutral Restrooms
Penn Violence Prevention
Reporting Responsibilities for Sexual Violence
For a Complete List of University Policies and Regulations
Confidential Resources
Special Services, Division of Public Safety (DPS)
4040 Chestnut Street
(215) 898-6600
Penn Women's Center (PWC)
3643 Locust Walk
(215) 898-8611
Student Health Service (SHS)
3535 Market Street, Suite 100
(215) 746-3535
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
3624 Market Street
(215) 898-7021
The Office of the Chaplain
240 Houston Hall
(215) 898-8456
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Center
3901 Spruce Street
(215) 898-5044
African American Resource Center
3643 Locust Walk
(215) 898-0104
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
(888) 321-4433
Office of Sexual Violence Prevention & Education
VPUL, 3611 Locust Walk
(215) 898-6081
Office of the Ombudsman
113 Duhring Wing
236 S. 34th Street
(215) 898-8261


text:
Jean-Luc Godard: [History] is what one sees, before saying, when juxtaposing two images: a young woman smiling in a Soviet film is not quite the same as one who smiles in a Nazi film. And the Charlot of MODERN TIMES is, in the beginning, precisely the same as a Ford worker when filmed by Taylor*. To do history is to spend hours looking at these images and then, suddenly, to bring them close, producing a spark. This constructs constellations, stars that come close or move away, like W. Benjamin wanted. Cinema, lived as such, then functions as a metaphor of the world. There remains an archetype joining aesthetics, techniques, morals.
Antoine de Baecque: One gets the impression that what interests you are these juxtapositions, this montage, these collages, but then commentary disgusts you.
JLG: Commentary is the world's greatest super power: one crumbles under statements of intent, diplomatic analyses, and interpretive biographies. Commentary has become a sort of star personality. But it's also a tremendous force of intimidation and standardization: Comment (faire) taire - How (to make) silent - that which escapes preset ideas. The recent images of September 11th are a typical example of the proliferation of commentary, and its carcinogenic power.
A de B: Which is to say...
JLG: Past the effect of amazement in facing the destruction of the house of the father, one always saw the same thing. Or rather, nothing was seen. Just images in loop, always the same, stuttered out by an army of commentators. Seeing is not so much a problem concerning the place we're filming, but more of knowing what we want to film. All that could shock, disturb or produce outrage was systematically cleansed. Not even a body, not even some traces of violence, just the grandeur of the ruins. All that was below or above fiction couldn't find its place. People took the event as just another story, even if unimaginable – but so-called American films are made to be unbelievable. All that could go against that, the quite real dead, the deeper and more painful things than the "axis of evil" was systematically put aside.
That the citizens of the USA can't bear to look at their death in the face is one thing, but for them to reshape the image by cloning it with text becomes very disturbing. They stand on purified propaganda. One ends up being forced not to show anything. And so reigns the uncontested master, the event's commentary transformed into universal visual stereotype.
A de B: Is the struggle between America and Islamicism also a war of images?
JLG: To me, in this digital age, those words seem to come from traditional clichés. An image, even an icon, doesn't make war, since it's primarily a connection to the other, and not destruction. War is a fact of text only, that which interdicts those encounters and, accordingly, the birth of a true text: law, prayer or poetry. The press and television, both ugly hearts, didn't accept Cinderella putting on "the seamless garment of reality" mentioned by A. Bazin. In short, the image in general didn't go unharmed after September 11th. And commentary took care, without qualms, that it should be covered with rags, as if a delinquent to be reeducated.
Libération, April 6, 2002
*Henry Ford Automakers; Taylor as in Frederick Taylor(ism) - see here .
translated by A. Dias and A. Rector. Thanks to C.


text:
5S in the Office
Lean principles like 5S have countless applications in an office environment. In this course you'll see how FedEx Office uses 5S to transform their office space, making day-to-day work easier for all involved.
To get access to this video, and more than 1000 like it Subscribe Online today!See Our PricingContact Sales
Already a Gemba Academy Member?Log In
The End Result: Shining, Standardizing, and Sustaining a Desk at FedEx Office
Gemba Academy Co-Founder Ron Pereira and FedEx Office's Gary Pinkerman review the final three steps of 5S and reveal Gary's new and improved desk area.
0:23 - Shining
2:07 - Their plan for standardizing and sustaining
2:44 - How their new environment boosts productivity
3:23 - Displaying personal items


text:
While Bridal designers are a dime a dozen few epitomise the view that TBB stands for. Sarah Seven is one such designer who really embodies a sense of style, simplicity and individuality.
Her ever-so-flattering trademark sweetheart neckline has graced itself within high end publications and landing place within leading bridal salons.
Here is a little sneak peak of her San Fransisco studio..
The Sarah Seven sense of style and quirky aesthetic will sit beautifully within our TBB stores and we look forward to receiving our first drop this coming September.
For all of our Sarah Seven fans Book in your fittings now!
Images sourced Ruemag.com


text:
Keane speculation is par for the course - Dyche
Sean Dyche admits speculation about the future of Michael Keane is par for the course.
The 24-year-old collected his first two England caps last week, and the form that earned him a place in Gareth Southgate's squad hasn't gone unnoticed.
Champions Leicester City had a £15m offer turned down in the summer, and the former Manchester United youngster has been linked with a return to his old club, as well as Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton.
Responding to tongue in cheek suggestions he's got a £100m centre back on his hands now, Dyche smiled: "Well, whatever figure you wish to put on him. And then we've got Keano as well!
"There are so many stories about our players.
Most Popular
"It's good in one sense that people think highly of your players; not just him, but a number of players.
"There's always that challenge of all the stories and everything that goes with it.
"He's earned the right to be considered as a fine centre-half, because he is one."
Asked whether it is an impossible job to keep him, Dyche added: "It's just part and parcel of what it is. If a player's playing well, people like them.
"There are only so many players around the world who fit certain slots.
"No doubt he's one who will be looking upon with people being interested. I'm sure of that. But we've got a number here.
"It's not new territory for us to have players who are getting the eye of others. It's not new ground for us."
Dyche wasn't surprised by Keane's performances for his country, as he earned rave reviews from pundits and fans alike: "I was very pleased for him first of all, in the first game, because I think that's a big ask – going away for your international debut in Germany and playing in a back three, which he has played in before, but it's not regular for him.
"I thought he delivered a fantastic performance, when you consider all of those things.
"The second one was slightly more comfortable. I think it's fair to say we were stronger than the opposition in general, but his part in that was still assured.
"He played very well. How he's maturing is a good show. I said two years ago, when we were in the Premier League last time, he's a young centre-half.
"Centre-halves and goalies always mature slightly slower. They learn about the game with more depth, I think.
"Keano's showing that two years on. He's a more rounded player. He's more rounded in himself, of course, as a person off the pitch. He's in among a group who are like that.
"There's a good maturity to the group, and it's gaining all the time with their knowledge of what we're trying to achieve and what we're doing on a weekly and daily basis. He's in among that and it's rubbed off on him nicely. And he's delivering, that's for sure."
And he believes the other centre backs at the club are delivering as well: "I think Ben (Mee) goes under the radar slightly more.
"But I think Ben's delivered very good performances this season. '
"They've had to as well, because Tarky's (James Tarkowski) been knocking on the door. He's a very good centre-half.
"Kevin Long was injured mid-season, but I'm really pleased with work they've both done. There's a good group there.
"We never get ideas above our station, but for a club like Burnley, we've got four really, really good centre-halves there.
"I think it's a really competitive group. I'm pleased with all of them in different ways."


text:
Sorry we are closed
Mexican Restaurant In Brandon / Valrico
Brandon / Lithia Mexican Restaurant
Located in the Publix shopping plaza in Fishhawk.
Email Us:
Find Us:
5614 FishHawk Crossing Blvd
Lithia, FL 33547
Call Us:
Mexican Restaurant in Brandon / Valrico
When you look for great Mexican food and a quality Mexican Restaurant in Brandon, FL turn to the best. Taco YOLO Mexican Restaurant is traditional Mexican food with hand-crafted with one-of-a-kind recipes that are made fresh to order.
How many times have you visited a Mexican Restaurant, ordered a Mexican Food and expected more? Not at Taco YOLO Mexican Restaurant in Valrico hand cuts produce fresh daily and use fresh ground Prime cuts of meat to satisfy your tastebuds.
At Taco YOLO Mexican Restaurant in Brandon, we don't stop at traditional Mexican Food, we add in Tex-Mex Specials too!. Whether you are bringing your family for some top-rated Mexican food or bringing your thirst for Margaritas to our fun atmosphere, our Mexican Restaurant is located in the heart of Lithia to serve you. Don't forget to check our Mexican food specials!
If you don't have time to dine-in, then order online and pick up a to-go order of our finest Mexican food and we'll have it ready for you so you can get back to your busy schedule or relaxing getaway.
For the best Margaritas, Special Tex Mex Dishes and the best Mexican Food Brandon has to offer visit Taco YOLO Mexican Restaurant in Valrico, FL today.
Get Connected
By liking or following us on social media you will get access to specials, free events, and have access to coupons and savings in Brandon & Lithia's favorite Mexican Restaurant. Click on your favorite social media channel to get started!


text:
New Hotel Crush: The LandsbyOctober 24, 2016
A couple weeks ago I found myself in that little Danish town in Santa Ynez: Solvang. As if the town isn't adorable enough, it now has what I find to be the cutest boutique hotel: The Landsby.
Between a neutral color palette, Scandinavian-designed furniture, and unusual alpaca & llama artwork… I'm smitten. They offer "Spoon Service"– pints of McConnell's ice cream delivered to your room. Are you kidding me! (insert a hundred heart-eyes emojis)
My other Solvang favorites:
Eat & Drink:
Succulent Cafe - Your best bet for a healthy lunch or dinner on the main drag. I've been a few times and have yet to order something I didn't enjoy.
Paula's Pancake House - It's a classic! The perfect diner to have a Belgian waffle on your birthday before hitting up the vineyards (at least that's what I did a few years ago). Expect a wait on busy weekends.
New Frontiers Market - Here is the place to stock up on snacks for picnics at wineries or late nights in your hotel room if you know what I mean.
Wine tastings @ Fess Parker - Uhh, you're in town to drink wine right? There are countless vineyards in Santa Ynes & Los Olivos you can visit, so I doubt you can manage to go wrong. The property here is beautiful, the bottles are reasonably priced, the staff is friendly and they open for tastings at 10am!
Buy weird used books @ The Book Loft - Old books & art prints are some of my favorite travel souvenirs. And this place is a fun stop on the main drag in Solvang. They do also sell books that are not old, used or weird.
Celebrate @ Julefest, Danish Days or the other Scandinavian holidays. Please dress in costume, and then send me a photo of you in said costume.


text:
ELIJAH performs vulnerability assessments and information security risk assessments that can help reduce the risk of costly business interruptions, financial theft, and data misappropriation. If your organization is in a regulated industry and subject to IT security mandates such as FDIC, GLBA, HIPAA, HITECH, NCUA, OCC, or PCI DSS, you may be required to undergo regular risk assessments in order to identify and minimize such risks. Maintaining information security controls that meet standards established by regulators and best practices can be vital for your business, and ELIJAH offers the depth of expertise to help meet those needs.
ELIJAH also recognizes that businesses must balance an interest in maximizing information security against potentially competing interests in operational efficiency and minimizing costs. Although there is no such thing as perfect security, ELIJAH can help you identify areas in which you get the most "bang for your buck" mitigating risks at a reasonable cost, without unduly hindering business operations.
ELIJAH can help you identify whether specific categories of your data are safe. Special categories you might not have considered include :
Penetration testing is the process of identifying security vulnerabilities in systems, networks, or applications by using various "malicious" techniques. Weak points are identified and exploited through authorized simulated attacks, often with the process repeated after IT resources attempt to resolve identified issues. The end result is improved security, and ELIJAH can provide detailed reports regarding our findings.
Clients request penetration testing for a variety of reasons, including to:


text:
Learn how to Use Gestures to Control VLC Playback by which you can easily control your playback using one simple trick. So have a look at complete guide discussed below to proceed.
[dropcap]V[/dropcap]LC media player is the best known third party media player app that is available for almost every major operating system either on the smartphones or on the computer devices. The reason why this pack of the media player has gained such a huge audience is that it provided all the best features and the related functions all for free. The users never need to install any other app to fulfill their requirements. The best thing about the VLC is that it can be used to control the media playback aspects through the simple but quick gestures. Most of the new users and sometimes the average users of VLC does are not introduced with the number of gestures that actually persist on the VLC. Knowing almost every single gesture feature of the VLC we have decided to reveal these all to the beginners so that they can utilize this potential tool with abundance power. So here we are to start up listing about all the gestures of VLC media player, just keep on reading the post till the end and you will definitely know so many useful gestures!
Also Read: How To Convert Video Files Using VLC Media Player
How to Use Gestures to Control VLC Playback
The method is quite simple and easy and you just need to follow the below guide to proceed.
Also Read: Watch 3D Movies On PC Using VLC Media Player
Swipe Up on the Left Side of the Screen:
If you are using the VLC media player and playing any sort of video or movies then you would experience sometimes required to increase or decrease the brightness of the screen so that the Xperience cannot be bricked. Think about changing the brightness of the screen and you will have to go through various options. But now inside the VLC, you can simply do that without even leaving the video playback. The swipe up gesture if done on the left side of the screen can increase the brightness of your display.
Swipe Down the Left
Again using the swipe but now on the down flow at the left side of the screen can change the brightness of the display to the lesser shine. This is also done inside the VLC only and you will not require leaving the video playback for the function.
Swipe down on the Right
Inside the VLC while playing the videos you can also decrease the sound of the video through swiping down the screen at the right side of the display. Alike to the above software you need to do nothing but remain on watching the video as the option will not interrupt the video playback.
Swipe Above on the Right side
Simple it is to increase the sound of the videos inside the VLC. Just swipe above the screen and you will be able to see your video with the hiked sound!
Also Read: How To Download YouTube Videos Using VLC Media Player