THAT PHOTO . . . ONE GREAT MAN HONORED. ANOTHER AT PLAY.

Faded Glory: Scott Garlock's remarkable photography of grand old homes in Warren County

 

Provided by Robert Holding of Wilmington 

New aggressive strain of HIV discovered -- develops into AIDS more quickly

Published November 29, 2013  FoxNews.com
Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / Nov 29 2013

 

Isn't this pretty? Almost like art, what with all the nice shades of pink and rich blue punctuated with brilliant little green dots. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This vile junk is actually a hybrid strain of HIV-1 working its little butt off to turn into AIDS. It is now only in Africa, where almost all hurricanes are formed, and it is seen as a gift from the Dark Continent to the Americas. Thanks, black folk. We'll try to return the favor someday soon. 

• 
  Scanning electron micrograph of HIV-1 budding from cultured lymphocyte. The multiple round bumps on cell surface represent sites of assembly and budding of virions. (CDC.gov)

Researchers have discovered a new, more aggressive strain of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that develops into AIDS much more quickly than other strains, Medical News Today reported.

In a new study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, scientists detailed the new strain as a “recombinant” virus – a hybrid of two virus strains. Called A3/02 – a cross between the 02AG and A3 viruses – the strain can develop into AIDS in just five years after first infection – one of the shortest time periods for HIV-1 types.

"Recombinants seem to be more vigorous and more aggressive than the strains from which they developed,” said first author Angelica Palm, a doctoral candidate at Lund University in Sweden.

So far, the A3/02 strain has only been seen in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, but other studies have shown that recombinants are spreading more quickly across the globe.

"HIV is an extremely dynamic and variable virus. New subtypes and recombinant forms of HIV-1 have been introduced to our part of the world, and it is highly likely that there are a large number of circulating recombinants of which we know little or nothing,” said senior author Patrik Medstran, professor of clinical virology at Lund University. “We therefore need to be aware of how the HIV-1 epidemic changes over time."

Coming soon to a population center near you. 

PRO GOLFER JEFF COCHRAN TERMINATED BY SPONSOR FOR SPEAKING OPENLY OF FAITH IN CHRIST -- AND SUPPORT FOR GLENN BECK.

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / Nov 25 2013

Nebraska Golf Card withdrew sponsorship because golfer “believes he has been forgiven for past indiscretions by a mystical power who lives in the clouds.”

Nov. 25, 2013 10:27am Mike Opelka

An appreciation for Glenn Beck, Ted Cruz and a well-known Bible verse appears to be the main reasons an aspiring professional golfer was abruptly cut off from his main source of income by his sponsor.

The golfer’s name is Jeff Cochran and until a few weeks ago, it appeared that he may have finally gotten the big break that would help him achieve his goal of having a shot to play on golf’s elite PGA tour. 

Cochran claims he was contracted in January by Virginia-based businessman Brian McMahon to help promote Nebraska Golf Card (NGC), a budding promotional operation that says it’s “designed to give golfers reduced rates and access to private clubs.”

Author’s note: Golf Card International is not affiliated with Nebraska Golf Card.

 

After playing most of the year for Nebraska Golf Card, Cochran alleged his sponsorship was abruptly terminated. The initial reason given seemed quite surprising — his support for Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz; Cruz’s father, Raphael; and Glenn Beck — but faith, and specifically a Bible verse, also played a big part in the termination of the contract.

The verse in question? Philippians 4:13, which reads, ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

This is how Jeff Cochran’s favorite Bible verse appears on all of his golf bags.

In late October, Cochran, his agent David Reynolds and NGC’s Brian McMahon both claim they were at a dinner and the conversation turned to Cruz. Cochran says he praised Cruz and his father, Raphael, mentioning that he had seen the elder Cruz on an episode of “The Glenn Beck Program.”

Cochran told TheBlaze that his sponsor was taken aback by this statement and was also troubled by the fact that his business associate was a fan of Beck. Following his pro-Cruz statement, Cochran said McMahon asked him, ”Would you be willing to give up our support to stand with that wackjob (Beck)?” Cochran answered “yes” and said the dinner continued without any additional tension or drama.

But the next morning, Cochran’s agent said, he received an email from NGC announcing that it was pulling all financial and product support from Cochran.

Image source: David Reynolds

The email, a copy of which was provided to TheBlaze, demanded immediate return of all equipment and that Cochran stop using their logo as well. The initial email from McMahon to Cochran’s agent was quite specific as to the reason for the split (emphasis added):

David, I have never had an issue with you or really Jeff for that matter, but this situation is very disturbing. I have been tolerant of his religious views and even supported his off course speaking. However, I just can’t allow my company to be associated with these radical political views. The idea that Jeff would line up with the likes of Glenn Beck or Ted Cruz or any other individual interested in destroying America, just isn’t something I can swallow.

Cochran and Reynolds said they immediately complied with the demand and returned the equipment, they told TheBlaze. That quick response triggered the email thank-you from McMahon shown below, but that note also contained a few parting shots (emphasis added).

“I looked up the verse Jeff put on the bag and had to laugh,” the email said. ”How can someone so smart be so gullible? The idea of trusting or believing that someone has control over your future is the definition of insanity. I will continue to trust people I’ve actually met and trust to help chart my course.”

Image source: David Reynolds

McMahon’s email continued (emphasis added): “Tell Jeff if he ever decides to relinquish these childish and uneducated views, we might be willing to renew our relationship.” He ended the email, “In me I trust, Brian.”

It was shortly after the second email was sent that Cochran and his agent reached out to TheBlaze.

“Believes he has been forgiven for past indiscretions by a mystical power who lives in the clouds.”

Share:

TheBlaze was in the process of investigating the story, exchanging emails with Cochran and his agent and establishing a timeline of the events, when we received an unsolicited email from McMahon of NGC (from the same email address that sent the emails to Cochran’s address).

McMahon did not mince his words and almost immediately attacked TheBlaze, writing, “I spent a little time on your website this morning and you should be ashamed of what you’ve created.”

He didn’t hold back, mocking Cochran for listening to Beck: “Jeff is the perfect target for someone like Beck. He believes he has been forgiven for past indiscretions by a mystical power who lives in the clouds, so why wouldn’t he be gullible (sic) enough for the Tea Baggers.”

The email closed with a particularly angry and personal attack on Beck (emphasis added): “He is a lousy drunk who should be led to the nearest border, given a big toss and told to never return. And if he hates the government as much as he says, that should be a welcome event for him too.”

Muslim Saveeda Warsi / British Parliament: Christian minorities 'endangered' in Middle East

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / Nov 16 2013

November 16, 2013 at 12:12am  BBC

Christianity is at risk of extinction in some parts of the world due to growing persecution of minority communities, a Muslim minister has warned.
Baroness Warsi said Christians were in danger of being driven out of countries, such as Syria and Iraq, where the religion first took root.

Syria's civil war and the instability in Iraq has seen many leave.
Baroness Warsi said politicians had a duty to speak out against persecution and appeal for religious tolerance.

In a speech at Georgetown University in Washington DC, the foreign officer minister - who also has responsibility for faith communities - said one in ten Christians were living in countries where they were in a minority.

Full title  The Rt Hon. the Baroness Warsi

Name  Sayeeda Warsi

Party/group Conservative, British Parliament

'Seen as other'

She told that the BBC that in some cases, Christians were being targeted for "collective punishment" by majority groups in retaliation for what they perceive as the injustices committed by Western powers.

"I am concerned that the birthplace of Christianity, those parts of the world where Christianity first spread, is now seeing large sections of the Christian community leaving and those that are remaining feeling persecuted," she told Radio 4's 'Today'.

"Tragically, what's happening is they are being seen as newcomers, being portrayed as an 'other' within that society, even though they have existed there for many, many centuries," she said.

The Conservative peer said Christians were seen as "legitimate targets" over the perceived actions of their co-religionists.

"This concept of collective punishment and them being seen as agents of the West or agents of regimes is wrong," she added.

"We need to speak out and raise this with the countries where this is happening."
Religious pluralism made countries stronger in a whole variety of ways, she said, from broadening the range of educational opportunities to injecting economic dynamism.

'Political will'

Baroness Warsi, who was Britain's first female Muslim cabinet minister said she had already had "very frank conversations" with ministers in Pakistan, telling them senior politicians must set a standard for tolerance.

"Politicians do have a responsibility to set the tone, to mark out legal parameters as to what will and will not be tolerated."

She added: "There's an international consensus, in the form of a Human Rights Council resolution on the treatment of minorities and tolerance towards other faiths. But we need to build political will behind that.

"Of course there have been moments when religious communities have been in conflict, but there have also been great moments of co-existence between faiths. There isn't an intrinsic clash between different faiths."

The minister has previously warned about the dangers of "militant secularisation" in the UK.

The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales said he agreed that the very existence of Christianity was under threat in some parts of the Middle East.
"There are real challenges for Christians in this part of the world to support and get alongside them and also for politicians to understand that the presence of Christians is a great mediating factor, often for example between different segments of Islam," the Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols told 'Today'.

• 

  Write a comment...

Democrats are Racist. How Long Will the Black Community Put Up With This?

  Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / Nov 13 2013

Democrats want to keep young Black, and poor White, Children trapped in failing Government/Public schools. They oppose School Choice programs that would allow young Blacks, and poor Whites, from getting better educations. Democrats keep lying how they are all about “Choice” until it comes to actually giving you any real Choices.

By: JLenardDetroit (Diary)  |  November 13th, 2013 at 04:29 PM  | 

When will the Black Community tell the Democrats to STOP insulting them? When will they recognize the Democrat Party lies?

Four Points…

1. ABORTION
Democrats want large numbers of Abortions within the Black Community as a means of suppression and control. Democrats always proclaim that they want CHOICE but Abortion to be SAFE AND RARE. Democrats claim Republicans want to make Abortion illegal. Let’s examine these LIES.
Republicans controlled the House, the Senate, and the Presidency under George W. Bush – did they at any time attempt to make Abortion illegal? NO. Did they at any time attempt to infringe on Abortion Rights? NO! Republicans control the House, Senate, and Governorship of several States – have they, in any of them, moved to make Abortion illegal? Again, NO!
Democrats want Abortion to be SAFE AND RARE. Texas, and other States, demonstrates that LIE! Texas has moved to make Abortions SAFE, and to protect Women’s Health, by requiring Abortionists to have admitting privileges/rights at a local Hospital. Have they attempted to make Abortions illegal? NO! Democrats have fought these Common Sense PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN and want Abortion to be available ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME by anyone with a Coat-hanger to perform them.

2. EDUCATION / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / SCHOOL CHOICE
Democrats continually tell the Black Community that their children are inferior and just too stupid to make it on their own. They insist you need Democrats and their Affirmative Action policies. Democrats want to keep young Black, and poor White, Children trapped in failing Government/Public schools. They oppose School Choice programs that would allow young Blacks, and poor Whites, from getting better educations. Democrats keep lying how they are all about “Choice” until it comes to actually giving you any real Choices.
Republicans wish to do something about the continued decline of Education in America. Democrats want to continue to dumb down everyone, generation by generation.

3. VOTER ID
 How many times are people going to continue to allow Democrats to call the Black Community STUPID AND LAZY?
Democrats say they have to oppose Voter Id because Blacks are (too stupid and/or lazy and) incapable of getting a Free Id. Republicans treat you with the dignity and respect to know that most Blacks already have Ids and that others are more than intelligent enough and capable of obtaining them and that Programs can, could, and should be created by non-profit “Get Out The Vote” Groups to assist the poor and/or anyone else that does not already have one and get them to a DMV office for their FREE ID.

4. 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
Democrats are for Gun Control in the Urban Communities and keeping Blacks from being able to protect themselves in their own homes. Democrats want you to continue to be victims of Crime while they continue to be, and appoint Judges who are, soft on Criminals.
The Democrats LIE. Republicans and TEA Party members are constantly being accused of being Racist just for opposing bad policies of Barack Obama that has disproportionally effected the Black Community – higher unemployment, more people becoming poor not less, etc. It’s time to ask yourself, given the FACTS and positions of the Parties – Who are the real Racists?!?!?! Republicans focus on POLICIES and EQUALITY while Democrats obsess over Obama’s Race. Republicans insist Obama be treated EQUAL to other Presidents, while Democrats insist that because he is Black he must be treated differently — THAT IS RACIST!





When will the DENIAL end?
See related: Liberals’ Religion is Government – their motto: Separation FROM Church TO State – at: http://rattlewithus.ning.com/profiles/blogs/lib-religion

Democrat Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) Runs For Cover -- Now Says: Kill the 'Death Panel'

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / Nov 13, 2013

---

by Joel B. Pollak 13 Nov 2013, 9:08 AM PDT 

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) said on C-SPAN Wednesday morning that the Independent Payments Advisory Board (IPAB)--the so-called "death panel" of Obamacare, which will cut Medicare costs by restricting care--should be "revisited."

His comments came as more Democrats are joining calls to amend Obamacare, in particular by supporting the Keep Your Health Plan Act, proposed by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), which would fulfill President Barack Obama's oft-repeated promise that patients could keep their existing health insurance.

Cardin was responding to a caller who had expressed concerns about the constitutionality of the IPAB, which former White House Office of Management and Budget director Peter Orszag has championed as a central part of Obamacare.
Cardin said, via the Washington Free Beacon:

"The Affordable Care Act contains many provisions. I strongly supported the bill itself. But in terms of that particular provision, I agree, there are certain concerns that I have. The purpose of the board is to make sure that health care costs are maintained at a reasonable level and that there is an objective review of the payments made under the healthcare system. That was the main purpose of this board in its report. It comes into effect under certain circumstances. It has not been implemented yet, but it is a provision in the law that needs to be revisited to make sure the concerns you expressed do not occur."

Former Gov. Sarah Palin once called the IPAB a "death panel," and was mocked for doing so. Now, however, it appears that Democrats are worrying about political backlash against the IPAB from their constituents.