Welcome to the $1 Billion Circus

The greatest show on earth is widely thought take place on Tuesday November 4^th and in schools, sports halls, local government offices  and community centres across the United States of America, people will whip themselves into a frenzy of civic activity, believing that they are part of a circus that is the American Presidential Election. In fact, the Big Top of presidential debates, TV ads, election specials and the continuous cavalcade of voting experts, political commentators and talking heads is nothing more than a giant ruse, a distraction, a simulacron, not even a circus, but a copy of a circus pretending to be an election. If we can say that there is such a thing as a real political event, and such events might be an arms deal or a trade agreement, then they are always held safely out of the way. In any case those circuses have very little to do with the electorate voting in this election. Those unsuspecting “rubes” casting their eager ballots on that day will merely have tickets to the sideshow, the part of the show usually reserved for oddities and freaks of nature, only for each to find, even then, that they have been sold a dud, that their tickets are worthless, that they can never get into the tent, yet most will ring the applause anyway. as if they were actually taking part. Like the naked emperor waving to his subjects, this stupefied electorate will endorse a notion of democracy as grotesque as anything the great PT Barnum could muster. 

The Star Clown

There can be no doubt that the star of the show is former community organiser, Illinois Senator and Democrat candidate Barack Obama, a man that in the primaries and the caucuses exhibited great generosity when sprinkling the word change in a sentence, yet has been tight-fisted when it comes to dishing out anything that resembles a program for change or even any real proposals for change. Change for Obama is ultimately a word, to be thrown out like a great big custard pie for the amusement of the voters, a piece of showbiz slapstick, part of some incomprehensible vaudeville routine, to be clapped and cheered, by people whose minds have been numbed and dumbfounded.

Obama may lack program content, but his voting record tells us a bit about his principles and ideas and we can see that he supports the free market and New Deal, a minimum wage of less than £4 an hour , expansion of the Armed Forces, expansion of the current healthcare system, as opposed to a universal and free-at-the-point-of-use national healthcare system, finishing the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban, saying "We need more troops, more helicopters, better intelligence-gathering and more nonmilitary assistance to accomplish the mission there".

Obama also believes in the delivery of social services through churches and other religious organizations, biofuels, NASA, the US-Mexican border fence and retroactive immunity, for government officials and telecommunications firms alleged to have taken part in the Bush administration's warrantless eavesdropping program. He supported Israel in its war against Hezbollah and made statements against the elected Hamas government in Palestine. He also believes in an individual’s right to bear arms.

On LGBT issues Obama is quoted saying “I personally believe that marriage is defined as a religious bond between a man and a woman” and on the death penalty he said that communities “are justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage by meting out the ultimate punishment.”

Taken together, these principles don’t seem at first glance to represent any change at all and fit easily into the last fifty plus years of US hegemony and it shows how if thinking people scratch the surface of the statements made by candidates, and search their voting records we reveal a very sinister pattern, that indicates very little difference between the main candidates. In this light we can see the candidates as players in an entertainment spectacle, or as clowns in a comedy routine.

Obama’s straight man is a former personal friend of rival clown McCain, but has been forced to play a bit part, only coming on to the stage in fleeting moments to throw badly constructed and poorly aimed cream pies at his former friend only to catch his own running mate full in the face.

An example of his confusion was evident in his acceptance speech, in which he endorsed clown McCain, saying that he “would be proud to run with him…because the country would be better off”, then went on to criticized his tax policy. He was even quoted, not once but twice, and once on a live TV debate, saying that Obama was “not ready” for the presidency. Apart from these, almost Quaylesque moments, Biden has remained in the shadow of rival sidekick Sideshow Pallin, a performer whose assorted freakeries have both repulsed and attracted people for a variety of reasons.

The Emperor’s Old Clothes?

Co-starring Obama in the Big Top sideshow is Vietnam veteran and former POW, John McCain, who describes himself as a maverick and a tireless campaigner. On the face of it, these two men could not be more different. One is Black and one is white, one is old and one is not but this physical difference combined with a lot of rhetoric hides some stark similarities and if we ignore the cream-pies and the meaningless sound-bites and concentrate on media reactions, policy statements and the voting records, we can see those similarities.

On national security, the LA Times has said that, “they don't differ much in their ideas about how best to protect the country. Both want to increase the size of the military and provide more training and equipment.” Both candidates have publicly said that they oppose the use of torture as an interrogation technique, and both candidates have waivered. Following the flawed and ultimately vetoed amendment to a Military Appropriations Bill in 2005, that left the door open for torture rather than banning it as the stated intent, McCain was telling anybody who would listen up until October 2007 that torture was wrong, yet in Febraury 2008, McCain had the chance to vote for a ban on waterboarding and didn’t and has avoided mentioned it since. As for the leading clown, both Republicans and Democrats were crying out for him to make a public statement condemning torture at the end of 2006, and it wasn’t till mid-2007 that he started making comments, first about torture in general and then about the practice of waterboarding. Even then he has restricted himself to saying the practice is “not effective”. Now it’s a third rail, an issue that is too dangerous to talk about.On immigration, both candidates have talked of strengthening the border of the US whilst building pathways to citizenship for illegal immigrants. On the environment both support a cap-and-trade programs for greenhouse emissions and targets for cuts in greenhouse emissions and on social issues both oppose restrictions on stem cell research.

Sideshow Palin

As the two leading performers dance around each other, McCain’s comedy sidekick – Sideshow Palin, a former beauty queen and machine-gun-toting, caribou stalking supermom and currently the Governor of Alaska threatens to steal the whole show. Her looks and her maverick image have been reported as a “speed-brake on Obama’s campaign” in the American media and her involvement has seen the republican base energized and support for McCain increase dramatically amongst white women.

Palin’s politics are a witches brew of market fundamentalism, hawkish chest beating, religious dogma and mild confusion. She is in favour of Alaskan oil drilling, pre-emptive strikes, the death penalty, wolf hunting and the use of guns in general. She is against talking with Syria and Iran, abortion, same-sex marriage and has persistently opposed attempts to protect wildlife in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), insisting at one point that Alaska would sue the federal government for listing the Polar Bear as an endangered species. The former Governor was the subject of controversy with her belief and support for creationism in the classroom and also the famous “troopergate” scandal in which she reportedly sacked a public official as revenge for refusing to force a state trooper out of a job, a trooper that happened to be her ex brother-in-law.

Accusations “flip-flopping” have also arisen on at least two issues. In 2006, she used a “Pork Barrel” bridge project, dubbed “the bridge to nowhere” to gain support for her campaign for Governor of Alaska, but when Federal funding was cut, she moved to use the money for other projects. In 2008, when accepting the McCain’s nomination for Vice President (VP), she then claimed that she had always been against the project, to howls of protest from Alaskans. On climate change, Palin’s view is notoriously hard to decipher, indicating contradictions almost on a monthly basis. The clearest example began in 2007 when she said to Web based Newsmax, “I’m not one who would attribute it (climate change) to being man-made” only to imply that she had changed her stance a year later, insisting that she had “never said that there's absolute proof that nothing that man has ever conducted or engaged in has had any effect or no effect on climate change.”

On With the Performance

The sidekicks in the wings, the lead clowns assembled, custard and cream pies at the ready, the preview of the sideshow was at last ready to take place, a comedy vignette, a sketch, a teaser for the fakery to come. This was the first head to head debate of the two main candidates, airing in the U.S. on Friday 26^th September. If November 4^th was the main event and not a fake show, then we would see a clear difference between the two candidates and the issues that people were most concerned about would be discussed. This is what came out of the head to head:

Both agreed that America was in a financial crisis, although McCain called it a fiscal crisis. This was the only difference, both agreed to the $700 Billion bailout plan. Obama hoped that taxpayers would get the money back, but no mention was made of the inherent unfairness of bailouts and the fact that they actually represent a socialisation of cost and a privatisation of profit.

On energy, both advocated energy independence and the use of nuclear and the only difference between them was in emphasis. Obama slightly differed from McCain in that he didn’t support reprocessing spent fuel.

On spending, both agreed that spending has to be controlled, that federal funds for earmarked projects and “pork barrel” projects have to be reigned in.

On defence and foreign policy, by far the biggest topic of the night, there is not one fundamental difference, despite the phrase being used about half a dozen times on the night.  Both have exactly the same policies, except that Obama promised a quicker exit from Iraq. Both support the surge, in fact Obama says freely that his opposition to the war in Iraq six years ago was on the basis that America did not have the capability of doing the job, not on the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis that would inevitably die. Both are belligerent towards Russia. Both oppose a Nuclear Iran. Both agree on increased troop numbers Afhanistan and both refuse to rule out strikes on Pakistan. Both agree on a missile defence system.

Difference was minimal and one of degree and tactics only. When Obama puts emphasis on healthcare reform, McCain puts his emphasis on tax cuts and job creation. When McCain put emphasis on spending control, Obama stressed help for working families.

Only in one solitary sentence was any issue addressed that might indicate some real choice and an engagement with the issues that affect Americans. It was Obama that said “that we look at some of the underlying issues that have led to wages and incomes for ordinary Americans to go down” This issue was clearly important, so it was quickly sidestepped and forgotten.

The Real Show

We can be sure that this is entire circus, including the “main event” on November 4^th is a fake, because meaningful audience participation will be almost zero. We know this, because the candidates are careful to avoid talking about anything that matters, not just the traditional Third Rail issues like race and ethnicity, but overarching issues that directly relate to millions of lives all over the world, like the economic program, which is incomprehensible and restricted to pointless debates about bailouts and whose fault the financial situation is, like trade agreements and farm subsidies. We know it is a fake, because between 20 and 25% of the population will choose the winner. We know it is a fake because there will be virtually no distinction between the principle players in terms of policy and we know it is a fake because there will be no distinction whatsoever between the principle players in terms of their social position. Both are from the US elite.

Where is the real show? When is the real show? These are questions that cannot be fully answered yet. The circus affects the lives of millions but like Kafka’s Castle, it remains completely inaccessible. We know that events probably takes place in the White House, when defence contracts, arms deals, trade deals and subsidies for agribusiness are discussed. This is the real show, a private show, but it is only given public airing after the decisions have been taken, at G8 conferences and pow-wows with heads of state. The important aspects of these issues are completely taboo, so sacred that they are never to be mentioned, like the real reason for Obama and McCain’s identical stance on the Russia/Georgia conflict, which is about arms sales to Georgia. This can’t be discussed, it’s far too important. Likewise, the various US trade agreements, which are not even on the agenda. Like real economic reform, fundamental reform of the state capitalist system. This too is never even on the agenda.

As far as Britain is concerned, the Prime Minister will maintain the “special relationship”, which means hanging on the coat tails of the US empire, hoping the British corporations that support Britains regime can pick up scraps of oil and defence deals here and there. No doubt our Prime Minister will be quick to congratulate the winner and look forward to the chance fawn at some white house pow wow. He has already set the tone by praising the bailouts, the socialisation of the cost of the credit crunch, just weeks after America ripped up an £18billion Airbus contract that would have safeguarded thousands of jobs.

The Ringmasters of the Universe

Whatever real politics may mean, whatever stage managed events that it might throw up, we can always guarantee who the ringmasters are. We can always guarantee that it is the corporations will crack the whip and that they will be backed by the acquiescence of what Harold Rosenberg called, the herd of independent minds.

But when Shaquille O'Neal was quizzed on how the new coaching staff and changes in style will affect the Phoenix Suns and his pursuit of another championship in his career's twilight years - well, your guess is as good as his for right now.

"Training camp starts (today)," O'Neal said. "(Porter is) the newly appointed president of the team, and as vice president/general manager of the team, whatever orders come down from the Pentagon ... I haven't seen the new orders yet, but I'll have my eyes and ears open and we'll see what's going on."

From their end, the Suns were happy to see the 36-year-old O'Neal come back for his first full season with them in good shape and, by his own estimate, at the same weight (between 330 and 335) he was at when he led the Lakers to the first of three straight championships. And while he was disappointed that his first run with the Suns ended in April, the extra time for recuperation might help him avoid adding heavily to the 221 games he's lost to injury over his 16-year career - 86 of those in the last three years.

The Suns trainers made a few trips to his home in Florida during the summer, and he returned the favor with a handful of stops in Phoenix for workouts and treatment on his problematic left hip. He also worked out 4-5 days a week with Ultimate Fighting Championship legend turned gym owner Royce Gracie, making for a trim figure as he posed for pictures in his home white uniform Monday.

Suns management expected a little more after he vowed a strict offseason regimen in the Valley, but felt he not only passed the eye test, but also looked good in recent workouts and medical testing.

"I look great and I feel great and I feel ready to go because of all the rest I got with the longer summer," he said. "All I've really ever had in my career are knick-knack injuries, which are something you can't prevent - like the weather. I don't miss games on purpose; things happen.

"In Miami, I had (trainers) who weren't familiar with my injuries, but the staff here can fix all the knick-knack stuff. I'll be tired and sore after two days or camp, but that's normal and I'll get past it."

General manager Steve Kerr looks at the double-double Shaq produced in 28 minutes a night (12.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 61 percent shooting from the floor) over 28 games with the Suns, and couldn't be more pleased with the output. Fouls and free-throw shooting were issues in the playoffs, as was trying to immerse the big man into the team on the run.

"A full camp and preseason and the opportunity to be on the same page from the outset will mean a lot," Kerr said. "And we also plan to do more things that will play to his strengths."

On offense, Porter sees more set plays and longer possessions, resulting in more touches. On defense, it means pushing the ball toward the sidelines instead of funneling it to the middle and leaving O'Neal or other post players to be the last line of defense.

But instead of trying to integrate Shaq on the run, something that proved too daunting last year, the Suns will be adjusting together.

"It would have been a Cinderella story for us to come together in 30 games and get it done. But when it comes to championships, it really doesn't work like that," Shaq said. "What Boston (winning the title) showed last year is that if you put a talented group together and go through the whole year uninterrupted, anything is possible. We're starting from scratch. Hopefully I'll stay injury free and we can take it from there."

Leo Vieira vs Mark Kerr

[dailymotion id=k4TJzL7EKnPhJ76SEz]

Leonardo Vieira vs Eddie Bravo

Leo Vieira ADCC 2007

They pumped nine pints of  blood  into  his  huge  frame at Nairobi Aga Khan Hospital. But the fabulous "Bali" was finished. His liver, unable to take any more hootch, had bust. He died during the night.

But the ghost of that bewitching smiles still lingered on Ball's face as his cold body lay in the iron-roofed shed of the Mus­lim cemetery, decorated with scores of exotic wreaths- from American millionaires like Bill Ryan, big game hunters like Kerr and Downey and African drivers of the Game Hunters and Safari Workers Union. High and low, Europeans, Asians, Africans, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs filed past his body in silent tribute, before it was laid to rest to recita­tions from the Koran.

Bali was an Asian but in his veins flowed the blood of Africa. He was born in Nairobi, educated in Nairobi and lived most of his life in the Kenya bush, where he pursued the life of a big game hunter with the zest of -"Simba Mbili," his Pathan hunter hero who was reputed to have killed two Lions with a single shot near Mitito  Andei at the turn of the century.

Hunting was not his only passion. He was also fond of cricket, car racing, good food and good scotch. The talk at any bush camp fire was never dull with Bali around. He could spin yarns like a sailor and cronies say he could drain a whole bottle of Johnny Walker during a single night, sleep it off and be as sober as a beak in the morning.

Bali was a keen cricketer in his younger days. Sports buddies like Sat Punja recalls that  Bali would sometimes persuade the umpire to let the match run for an extra over with a dash of 10 bob. Or quietly tell the team cap­tain-to let him play opening bat by flashing a £1 note at him.

As a player he was mediocre but the enthusiasm for the game never left him. He became an ardent cricket fan. At many inter­national matches in Nairobi could be seen Bali`s own special tent pitched and stocked with cases of beer for his close friends. Often he would announce a special trophy for the player who scored the highest and there are about four Kenya sports­men who hold special "Bali's trophies."

As a car rally driver, Bali took part in innumerable Kenya rallies and competed four times in the East Africa Safari. He always drove con­fidently, with a bit of hootch inside him. It was no mean feat to complete the full course in all the four Safaris and win a place in one

As a big game hunter he was unique, being the first non-white ever to be admitted in a exclusive professional Hunters' Associa­tion. His clients included American millionaires, Indian Maharajas, Greek oil tycoons, and Ethiopian diplomats. With his six foot hulk, 215 Ibs. of muscle, shock hair and bristling handlebar moustache, he cut a dashing figure for which pretty women often made a bee-line. But he had no time for them.

he bags of trophies of his clients included hundreds of elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and other wild game. American newspapers often described him as one of the greatest elephant hunters of all times. The clients often got tusks of over 100 pounds each. Bali himself created a record by netting tusks weighing 150 and 152 Ibs In 1967 he was awarded the Shaw & Hunter trophy for  producing the finest trophy for a client during the year.

His close shaves with wild game became legendary He made a miracle escape from a herd of stampeding ele­phants in Uganda....

He was mauled by on angry wounded leopard '(which put him 20 days in hospital). He was gored by a furious buffalo.

As a "toto" Bali was full of mischief. He often played truant from school, going off to Nairobi City Park with chums for stealthy cigarette drags or into Limuru Forest  shooting at birdswith a catapult.

Bali's father, Chaudry Mauladad, a millionaire, who made a fortune from his civil engineering contracting  business  in East Africa and  wanted  Bali to follow in his footsteps..

But the care-free, happy-go-lucky lad was not cut out  for a business career. In fact he was the "naughty" boy of the family.

As he grew up, Bali left the business  to be managed by his, brother  Basheer preferring to live on the  trust money left to him by his Dad and  working  as a hunter with Kerr and Downey

is bravado and devil-may-care reputation covered not only hunting but other fields as well. During the early fifties when the color bar was still rampant in Kenya's eating places, Bali took on a white restaurant manager and his whole staff in a fight after being refused service.

He played a vital role in smashing the color bar this way.

During the early fifties when the color bar was still rampant in Kenya's eating places, Bali took on a white restaurant manager and his whole staff in a fight after being refused service. He played a vital role in smashing the color bar this way.

One night during the early sixties Bali sauntered into a leading Nairobi hotel with some Nairobi clients.

"Sorry, Sir, we are closed," the grill room's head waiter said.

Bali demanded to see the hotel manager.

"Look here," Bali told him,  I give you business worth £4000 a year. My friends are hungry. Open up and serve us  The manager capitulated.

He didn't believe in saving money............

When he was broke he would ask a friend for a loan,

and forget about it.

When he was bulging with money he would generously dish out to anybody  who asked for it -

and forget about that too.

Down and out friends could always rely on Bali for help.

For a long time to come, wherever sportsmen, rally drivers and hunters gather, they will talk about Bali, the incredible.

For he had almost become an institution.

RIDICULOUS CHARGES AIMS TO BRING TOGETHER ALL SHELTERED COMPLEXES IN RENFREWSHIRE FOR A JOINT PLAN OF ACTION

PROPOSED ACTION TIMETABLE:

September,

Contact all Sheltered and very sheltered housing providers AND ASK THEM TO BE PART OF THE RIDICULOUS CHARGES CAMPAIGN

Bield (0141 270 7200)
Houston Court, Johnstone	Sheltered	29-Geoff knowles
Bridgewater (0141 812 2237)
Blantyre Court, Erskine	Sheltered	40
Cullen, Erskine	Sheltered	28
Park Mains, Erskine	Sheltered	26
Cairn (0141 353 1944)
Glentannar Court, Paisley	Sheltered	37
Link (0845 1400100)
Braehead / Glenpark, Lochwinnoch	Sheltered	28 - sandra loney
Hanover (0141 353 1353)
Kelburne Gardens, Paisley	Sheltered	48 Jimmy kerr
Wilson Street, Paisley	Sheltered	34
Burnfoot Crescent, Paisley	Sheltered	34
Montgomery Road, Paisley	Very Sheltered	16
Ailsa Drive, Paisley	Very Sheltered - Tam Cochrane, Jimmy, barr	24
Maree Road, Paisley	Very Sheltered	24
Orchard Court, Renfrew	Very Sheltered	15
Canal Street, Johnstone	Sheltered	28 - Geoff Knowles
Walkinshaw Crescent/Street, Johnstone	Very Sheltered	15
The Glen, Main Street, Elderslie	Sheltered	43 - Gerry McCartney
Linstone (01505 382383)
Glen Street, Paisley	Sheltered	28 jimmy
Newton Street, Paisley	Sheltered	17 Jimmy Kerr
High Street / Walkinshaw Street, Johnstone	Sheltered	31 Geoff Knowles
Arnott Gardens, Kinnaird Drive, Linwood	Very Sheltered	25
Renfrewshire Council (0141 842 5000)
Fulbar Court, Renfrew	Sheltered	20
Monkdyke House, Renfrew	Sheltered	32
Altpatrick Gardens, Elderslie	Sheltered	42 Gerry McCartney
Houston Court, Johnstone	Sheltered	14 Geoff Knowles
The Oaks, Johnstone	Sheltered	36 Geoff kNowles
Gallacher Court, Paisley	Sheltered	25 Jimmy Kerr
St James Complex, Paisley	Sheltered	29 Jimmy Kerr, lewis grocott
Springbank Complex, Paisley	Sheltered	33 Jimmy, Gerry, Barr, janet robinson, catherine o'neil
Speirsfield Gardens, Paisley	Sheltered	32 jimmy, nan cumming
Rowan Gardens, Paisley	Sheltered	20 JImmy Kerr
Darkwood Court, Paisley	Sheltered	21 JImmy Kerr, rena

THE PLACES WITH NAMES BESIDE THEM HAVE BEEN CONTACTED OR ARE BEING ORGANISED. THE PLACES WITHOUT NAMES BESIDE THEM ARE THE PLACES THAT NEED TO BE CONTACTED, TO FIND OUT IF THEY ARE WILLING TO BE PART OF THE RIDICULOUS CHARGES CAMPAIGN. tHE COUNCIL OWNED COMPLEXES HAVE ALL SUBMITTED PETITIONS AND i HAVE THOSE ALREADY. I CAN RE-SUBMIT THEM, FOR THE REST NEW PETITIONS NEED TO BE HANDED OUT.

OCTOBER - GATHER RESOURCES AND FUNDING FOR LEAFLETS, BANNERS, FLAGS, PLACARDS. MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THE SCRUTINY AND PETITIONS BOARD MEETING IN NOVEMBER.

NOVEMBER - NO FULL COUNCIL MEETING, WE WILL ATTEND THE SCRUTINY AND PETITIONS BOARD MEETING EN MASSE AND SUBMIT OUR PETITION

 Andy from Darkwood Crt

 Lewis Grocott and family

Ridiculous Charges is a campaign organised by the Renfrewshire Scottish Socialist Party and the residents of Sheltered Housing and Very Sheltered Housing across the county.

Back in January over six hundred signatures from several different petitions were handed in to Renfrewshire Council for consideration by the Scrutiny and Petitions Board. A Ridiculous Clause imposed by The Council meant that as the decision had been made within the last 12 months, the signatures were rejected.

This November, the 12 month waiting period is over and the petitions will be re-submitted under the banner of Ridiculous Charges.

We demand the following:

Renfrewshire Council must dramatically improve the warden service,  go back to 24 hour warden cover for each sheltered complex, or dramatically reduce the charges.

That Renfrewshire Council cease from sending any more bills to people before the charge has been fully explained, by home visit.

That Renfrewshire Council stop using telecare services to do the job of Wardens.

For residents without a warden we demand :

That Renfrewshire Council Either Dramatically improve the Community Alarm Service or dramatically reduce the charges.

That Renfrewshire Council discontinue the fee for the Community Meals Service

for more information please contact Jimmy Kerr

jk033446@yahoo.co.uk

We plan to storm Renfrewshire Council with letters, complaints and our petition in November.

In november we plan to attend the council meeting en masse to make our voices heard, more details to come

jk033446@yahoo.co.uk

"I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas?"

Jean Kerr (1922 — 2003) was an American author and playwright, best-known for her book Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1957), a humorous look at suburban life.

Fruit Salad Gay Podcast

Upcoming Fruit

Wed, August 20th @ 7:30P (PST)

Comedienne

Margaret Cho!!

FruitSaladShow.com

 Yep, it's that time of month.

The new issue of Irish Music Magazine is on newsstands now (provided you live in Western Europe, bits and pieces of Australia or the East Coast of Canada,) or you can order a subscription here.

This month, I had the good fortune to speak with the delightfully friendly husband and wife duo James Fagan and Nancy Kerr regarding their work with English concertina ninja Robert Harbron.

If you're a Trad fan and you've not yet had the opportunity to scope out their handiwork, you've been wasting your life.

Honestly, get on it.

You're find their website here.

Os eventos a seguir ocorreram em agosto:

Em agosto de 1829, Kalley se forma médico na Escócia.

Dia 2, em1846, é iniciado uma série de ataques e perseguições violentas aos evangélicos na Ilha da Madeira, culminado no dia 9 com o incêndio da casa de Robert Kalley.

Dia 6, em 1691, falece João Ferreira de Almeida, tradutor da Bíblia para o português, missionário da igreja reformada holandesa.

Dia 6, em 1856, chegam no Rio de Janeiro, vindo dos EUA, as três famílias dos Madeirenses Exilados, entre eles Francisco da Gama e sua família.

Dia 6, em 1867, nasce Salomão Ginsburg.

Dia 6, em 1955, Lysias e Norma se casaram.

Dia 8, em 1907, falece Sarah Kalley em Edimburgo.

Dia 10, em 1936, nasceu Norma

Dia 10, em 1856, Kalley realiza a primeira Santa Ceia, na casa de Francisco da Gama, com a presença dos madeirenses que atenderam o chamado de vir ao Brasil.

Simonton chega ao Brasil em 1859, no dia 11, e desembarca no dia 12, no Rio de janeiro.

Dia 11, em 1888, nasceu William Kerr.

Dia 19, em 1855, Kalley e Sarah realizam a primeira reunião da Escola Dominical no Brasil, na cidade Petropolis.

Dia 27, em 1906, falece Rev. João daGama, irmão de Francisco da Gama.

Dia 29, em 1859, após um longo processo, Robert Kalley é autorizado a exercer a medicina no Brasil.

Por favor, verifique suas notas quanto ao resto das informações, há divergências da minha nos seguintes pontos:

Juca era o apelido do filho de José Carlos, também chamado de José Carlos. Juca surgiu justamente para diferenciar os dois Josés.

Votorantim não existia na época, a região era conhecida como bairro de Sorocaba, Bairro do Rio Acima.

A primeira igreja de Sorocaba foi formalmente criada em 1876, em 19 de setembro. Seu primeiro pastor foi Antonio Cerqueira Leite. No entando já estava construida desde 1874. A irmã de Juca e João Carlos, Maria Madalena de Campos, foi a primeira que fez profissão de fé na família Campos, no dia 3 de maio de 1874.

Depois de Antonio Cerqueira Leite, que faleceu em 1883, foi pastor por muitos anos o Rev. José Zacarias de Miranda. Um novo templo foi inaugurado em 1886. Em 1899 chega um novo pastor, Rev. Carvalho Braga que foi pastor até 1917, quando o jovem William assume o pastorado da Igreja Presbiteriana, que nessa data já era Votorantim.

Por fim, como destaque, foi Rev. Carvalho Braga quem celebrou o casamento de William e Aurora. Carvalho Braga era açougueiro, e embrulhando carne com folhas de Bíblia e jornais com artigos evangélicos, tem início sua conversão. Estuda se forma pastor. Foi pai do Rev. Erasmo Braga, que foi professor do vô William no Seminario em Campinas.

Seus comentários foram importantes por isso vou publicar como texto ao invés de comentário de comentário. Por favor me avise de mais imprecisões históricas, equívocos e texto mal redigido.

Abraço do seu primo Edu.

No Rio de Janeiro volta a estudar, e começa a frequentar a Igreja Presbiteriana da Barreira, no centro da cidade, na rua Silva Jardim. Lá se encanta com os sermões de Alvaro Reis. (William dizia aos seus alunos que só a presença física de Álvaro Reis no púlpito já era metade do sermão). Álvaro Reis era exímio orador, sabia usar da Palavra de Deus, debateu assuntos polêmicos na imprensa secular e nos periódicos cristãos da época, dedicava bastante tempo no preparo de seus sermões.

No dia 1 de novembro de 1908, é arrolado como membro comungante da Igreja Presbiteriana da Barreira (hoje Catedral Presbiteriana), no dia seguinte, estando William no bairro de Santa Tereza, assiste compadecido uma procissão com pessoas realizando auto flagelamento, Isso o deixa entristecido. "Será que ninguém pode orientar essas pessoas sobre o evangelho de Cristo?".

Em, 4 de janeiro de 1909, William é apresentado ao Conselho da Igreja como candidato oficial ao ministério. William tinha 20 anos mas não havia completado o curso secundário, interrompera os estudos na escola pública em Santos, embarcou em navio cargueiro e como tripulante estivera pelas costas da America do Sul, só voltou a estudar na ACM, no Rio de janeiro, em 1908 ainda não havia terminado o curso. Alvaro Reis, sugeriu que William termine seus estudos em Lavras na escola dirigida por Gammon. Começaria uma nova fase na vida de William.

Em Lavras, conhece dois grandes amigos, Rev. Galdino Moreira e Rev. Jorge Goulart. Galdino veio a se casar com a irmã de Jorge Goulart alguns anos depois.

Conheci Rev. Galdino na década de 1960, ela já era bem idoso, Pastor Jubilado da Igreja do Riachuelo. Ouvia seus sermãos sem compreender muito o que falava, mas de dentro da sua toga sacedotal, Rev. Galdino me assustou muitas vezes. Durante seus sermões, ele se empolgava, ou ficava muito irritado com os assuntos que tratava, e socava o púlpito, algumas vezes com explosões de protesto com gesto e em alta voz, e é lógico, muitas vezes fui acordado com babando no vestido da minha mãe. Na saída da igreja eu via aquele velhinho falar com ternura com meus pais, mas acho que sempre temia que ele tivesse mais um momento de indignação, e estendia minha mão para cumprimento meio ressabiado, talvez pensado, "será que ele me viu dormir?"

Antes dessa fase Galdino tomou parte na Comissão de Revisão que foi montada pelas Sociedades Bíblica Britanica e Americana, foi um projeto que e durante vários anos realizou a revisão da versão da Biblia conhecida como Revista e Corrigida de Almeida, estava sendo produzindo a versão Revista e Atualizada, que foi publicada em 1956. Nos primeiros anos de trabalho dessa Comissão, William também participou junto com um grupo de quase 10 especialistas de áreas distintas. Quanto a Jorge Goulart, não me recodo se alguma vez tive oportunidade de conhecer. O casamento de meus pais foi realizado na Igreja do Riachuelo em 1955 por William, Galdino e Rev. Thiago, que na época tinha 3 ou 4 anos de formado.

De volta a Lavras em 1908. Carlota Kemper se radicou em Lavras após a epidemia de Campinas, ensinava matemática e latim. Era respeitada e querida por todos os alunos. Nas férias escolares William e Jorge Goulart saim com os professores nos fins de semana para auxiliar nos trabalhos dominicais. William termina a escola em 1912 e vai para Campinas, começa o seminário junto com seus amigos Galdino e Jorge.

Antes de terminar o ano de 1912, alguns eventos marcam profundamente a vida de William.

Samuel Caldas Kerr, irmão por parte de pai de William, morre ainda menino. Warwick fica extremamente deprimido e fica meses em casa.

Um livro chega as mãos de Warwick, um dos livros preferidos de Robert Kalley. Kalley traduziu para o portugues pela primeira vez na Ilha da Madeira, refez a tradução no Brasil, publicou em portugues  e, ainda assim, importou dezenas de exemplares em ingles enquanto esteve no Brasil, livro era "O Peregrino", de Bunyan. Não sei se podemos descobrir hoje quem teria dado o livro a Warwick, mas o que importa é que ao término do livro, Warwick teria dito: "Agora entendo o amor de Cristo e a mensagem do evangelho". No primeiro dia de volta ao trabalho, Warwick, muito feliz,  diz no escritório que o livro havia mudado a sua vida. Quando pedem para ver o livro, Warwick se abaixa para pegar e tem um enfarte fulminate, era setembro de 1912.

Xi... nesse texto nem cheguei de volta ao Rev. Edward Lane. Peço desculpa aos leitores pelo uso excessivo do recurso literario que venho usando, a  digressão. Vou tentar manter um linha mais cronológica, embora o Espalhando Sal 9 e 10 já estejam escritos e precisando apenas de revisão, e voltam a dar saltos de decadas nessa história.

Orly, 31, strutted shirtless in the pool, where he also pulled up his pants to work on the tan on his legs. Miranda, 25, opted for a little topless action to even out her tan. She was seen reading Abdi Assadi’s “Shadows On The Path.” It’s a discussion on the often overlooked aspect of spiritual attainment: the shadow. According to the book, it’s a common misconception for spirituality to be viewed as movement toward the light instead of delving into, identifying and integrating repressed aspects of our psyche.

Legend of the Seven Bloody Torturers is having its international premiere screening in the Fantastic Short Film section of The 12th Puchon International Festival of Fantastic Film. The festival runs from July 18-27 in Bucheon, South Korea, apparently home of both the Puchon Robo Park and the Korean Comics Museum!

Into this mecca of grooviness will enter two other Canadian shorts: The Laundromat directed by David Jacombs, summarized thusly in the program: "A young woman, driven to the limits of sanity, finds refuge in an empty laundromat as the city is overrun by ravenous creatures." Nothing quite so rundown and seedy as an empty laundromat, ravenous creatures or no - and it's a world premiere to boot. Also screening is Rodrigo Gudino's The Facts in the Case of Mister Hollow. This new short from the Rue Morgue founder and director of The Demonology of Desire and The Eyes of Edward James features Julian Richings of The Tracey Fragments, Cube, and Wrong Turn and looks pretty impressive from a visual standpoint.

Get more info on Legend of the Seven Bloody Torturers right here and more on the festival hereabouts.

Nas pesquisas feitas até agora, consta que a primeira biografia do Rev.  Edward Lane, foi escrita pelo Rev. Herculano de Gouveia, que alias escreveu também a primeira biografia de Rev. João DaGama. Herculano é fruto da pregação de Conceição, Blackford e Pitt, na cidade de Brotas, foi batizado por Rev. João DaGama em Rio Claro (irmão de Francisco da Gama), foi aluno de Edward Lane, casado com Elvira Cerqueira Leite, cursou seminário de Campinas na turma de Álvaro Reis.

Edward Lane, tem uma história de vida inspiradora, a superação da adversidade começa a ser forjada na infância ainda na Irlanda e o acompanha durante sua vida toda, a dedicação ao ministério e ao ensino nas escolas que ajudou a construir, dedicação aos missionários que se sentiram tocados em suas palestras e resolveram vir ao Brasil, entre eles Carlota Kemper, Elisa Reed e Rev. Gammon, e  a obra construida por ele e seus descendentes ainda testificam hoje o seu amor ao evangelho. Realizou o casamento de Alvaro Reis e foi mestre muito querido por todos seus alunos. Enfrentou a febre amarela em Campinas até o fim de suas forças. Providenciou a retirada de todos os professores e missionários de Campinas, ficando praticamente só com a ajuda da valente Carlota Kemper, entre os que foram poupados da epdemia estavam os Sydenstrikers, seu filho Eduardo Lane, Gammon e sua ajudante Carlota.

Álvaro Reis e Mariquinha, não tiveram filhos naturais, mas criaram 14 crianças adotivas, quando menino ficou orfão  muito cedo, nascido na igreja logo se afastou, sendo alcançado pela misericórdia de nosso Deus através das pregações de Edward Lane e Rev. John Boyle. Já como pastor no Rio, em 1910, criou o Orfanato Presbiteriano, que teve início na sua casa, a casa pastoral da igreja que dirigia, hoje a Catedral Presbiteriana do Rio de janeiro. Espalhou o sal e transformou vidas, mudou a vida e William Kerr, meu avô.

William nasceu dia 11 de agosto, dia 12 era aniversário de sua irmã Elisa, quando criança disseram para Elisa que William era seu presente de aniversário. Elisa foi eterna protetora e defensora de seu irmão caçula. Morando em Santos, Elisa começa a levar William a igreja Episcopal, onde Rev. F. Holms e o Rev. Joseph Orton eram pastores. Orton era inglês, cresceu em Recife e através de Sarah Kalley, a Missão Help for Brazil indicou-o para igreja Congregacional em Recife. Após um tempo em Pernambuco Orton vem para o sul, trabalhar com Rev. J. M Gonçalves dos Santos, o sucessor de Kalley na Igreja Congregacional do Rio. Em uma das viagens que fizeram juntos foram perseguidos por 200 fanáticos na cidade de Mangaratiba, Deus os protegeu.

Voltando a transformação do meu avô de futuro marinheiro em pastor e professor de hebraico. Em 1907, ainda em Santos, meu avô William faz sua profissão de fé na Igreja Anglicana de Holm e Orton, com a presença do bispo Rev. Edward Every.

Mas William sonhava com o mar, possivelmente desde que sua "esquadra de tamancos de madeira", um dos seus brinquedos favoritos, foi tirado dele para virar lenha de fogão para terminar um doce de abóboras, Elisa é claro que protestou em defesa de seu irmão, mas o doce venceu. William arrumou emprego em Liverpool, na Inglaterra, e já estava com passagem nas mãos quando desistiu de viajar, pelo menos adiou.

Hum.... tem mais história, depois conto porque William adiou a viagem, e novamente pontas do novelo dessas histórias se entrelaçam.

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Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom enjoyed some fun in the sun while they were in Gran Canaria, Spain. The couple even took off their clothes. The third picture shows Bloom’s butt.

Emily Blunt

Tania Bryer

Daphne Guinness

Mary J. Blige

Joely Richardson

Astrid Muñoz

Lady Emily Compton

Caprice

Joan Collins

Jasmine Guinness

Miranda Kerr

Petra Nemcova

Kate Beckinsale

Grania Stephenson

Jessica de Rothschild

Anastasia Virganskaya

Reena Hammer

Irina Abramovich

Elena Perimnova

Dorrit Moussaieff

Irina Virganskaya

În ultima lor aventură, John şi Philippa Gaunt se găsesc pe ei înşişi încâlciţi într-un mister terifiant care îi duce în adâncul inimii junglei din Amazon, în cartea a cincea din seria de bestsellere New York Times Copiii Lămpii Fermecate. Când o colecţie de artefacte Incaşe dispare, Djinnul Albastru al Babilonului îi trimite pe gemeni şi pe unchiul Nimrod să le aducă înapoi. În drumul lor, John şi Phillipa îl întâlnesc pe prietenul lor Dybbuk, căruia i-au fost înlăturate puterile de djinn, dar pe care acesta este determinat să le i-a înapoi.

Furios, acesta se îndreaptă spre vechiul Imperiu Incaş, unde crede că poate să-şi recâştige puterea. Dybbuk nu se va opri deloc… chiar dacă asta înseamnă să distrugă pădurea tropicală, să deschidă un portal blestemat, şi să disturbe regatul fermecat al Incaşilor care a avut parte de un somn de mii de ani. Vor putea gemenii să îl oprească pe prietenul lor, înainte ca acesta să distrugă totul?

Probabil că o să apară pe la Corint Junior prin august-septembrie 2009…

Cât despre titlu, nu am idee cum o să sune în română cu “e”…

I følge Myhill så trengs følgende for å behandle feil i mitokondriene:

http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=381

********

Behandlinger som ikke er vært og prøve.

Av Dr. Myhill.

http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=277

Orlando Bloom cuddles up with supermodel girlfriend Miranda Kerr on the dance floor at the third annual Raisa Gorbachev Foundation Party, held at the Stud House, Hampton Court Palace on Saturday in Richmond upon Thames, London, England.

I’m guessing Miranda had to use ample double stick tape for this event!

The night raised funds for the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation - an international fund fighting child cancer in Russia and to fund research to help eradicate this life-threatening disease.

Appearances that night also included: Kate Beckinsale, Hugh Grant, Kevin Spacey and Joan Collins. U2 frontman Bono also treated gala attendees with a performance.