ONLINE TODAY
An important word today : TRY
1. It is better to explain why you failed, rather than to explain why you do not try.
2. It is not easy, but that's no reason not to try. Stop complaining, start trying.
3. Say this: My job is not to doubt the possibility of success. My job is to try.
4. Life's surprise most commonly found by people who like to try.
5. Nothing to loose as long as we do not stop. As long as we try, success is a possibility.
6. And it turns out God does not require us to perfect. God only asks us to try what we can do.
May God pinning the courage in our hearts, so that we can further hasten to implement the steps to achieve our goals and our dreams. Hopefully this life to be smooth, full of joy and gratitude to god for us, in the health and well-being.
***
(CZ-lacalifusa112913)
1. It is better to explain why you failed, rather than to explain why you do not try.
2. It is not easy, but that's no reason not to try. Stop complaining, start trying.
3. Say this: My job is not to doubt the possibility of success. My job is to try.
4. Life's surprise most commonly found by people who like to try.
5. Nothing to loose as long as we do not stop. As long as we try, success is a possibility.
6. And it turns out God does not require us to perfect. God only asks us to try what we can do.
May God pinning the courage in our hearts, so that we can further hasten to implement the steps to achieve our goals and our dreams. Hopefully this life to be smooth, full of joy and gratitude to god for us, in the health and well-being.
***
(CZ-lacalifusa112913)
► WORLD net DAILY 22 November 2001 : The real meaning of Thanksgiving - by JOSEPH FARAH
There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the people responsible for the American Thanksgiving tradition. Contrary to popular opinion, the Pilgrims didn't wear buckles on their shoes or hats. They weren't teetotalers, either. They smoked tobacco and drank beer. And, most importantly, their first harvest festival and subsequent "thanksgivings" weren't held to thank the local natives for saving their lives.
Do you know there are public schools in America today actually teaching that? Some textbooks, in their discomfort with open discussions of Christianity, say as much. I dare suggest most parents today know little more about this history than their children.
Yet, there is no way to divorce the spiritual from the celebration of Thanksgiving – at least not the way the Pilgrims envisioned it, a tradition dating back to the ancient Hebrews and their feasts of Succoth and Passover.
The Pilgrims came to America for one reason – to form a separate community in which they could worship God as they saw fit. They had fled England because King James I was persecuting those who did not recognize the Church of England’s absolute civil and spiritual authority.
On the two-month journey of 1620, William Bradford and the other elders wrote an extraordinary charter – the Mayflower Compact. Why was it extraordinary? Because it established just and equal laws for all members of their new community – believers and non-believers alike. Where did they get such revolutionary ideas? From the Bible, of course.
When the Pilgrims landed in the New World, they found a cold, rocky, barren, desolate wilderness. There were no friends to greet them, Bradford wrote. No houses to shelter them. No inns where they could refresh themselves. During the first winter, half the Pilgrims died of sickness or exposure – including Bradford's wife. Though life improved for the Pilgrims when spring came, they did not really prosper. Why? Once again, the textbooks don't tell the story, but Bradford's own journal does. The reason they didn't succeed initially is because they were practicing an early form of socialism.
The original contract the Pilgrims had with their merchant-sponsors in London called for everything they produced to go into a common store. Each member of the community was entitled to one common share. All of the land they cleared and the houses they built belonged to the community. Bradford, as governor, recognized the inherent problem with this collectivist system.
"The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years … that by taking away property, and bringing community into common wealth, would make them happy and flourishing – as if they were wiser than God", Bradford wrote. "For this community [so far as it was] was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children without any recompense … that was thought injustice."
What a surprise! Even back then people did not want to work without incentive. Bradford decided to assign a plot of land to each family to work and manage, thus turning loose the power of free enterprise. What was the result?
"This had very good success," wrote Bradford, "For it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been."
As a result, the Pilgrims soon found they had more food than they could eat themselves. They set up trading posts and exchanged goods with the Indians. The profits allowed them to pay off their debts to the merchants in London much faster than expected. The success of the Plymouth colony thus attracted more Europeans and set off what we call the “Great Puritan Migration."
But it wasn't just an economic system that allowed the Pilgrims to prosper. It was their devotion to God and His laws. And that's what Thanksgiving is really all about. The Pilgrims recognized that everything we have is a gift from God – even our sorrows. Their Thanksgiving tradition was established to honor God and thank Him for His blessings and His grace.
Today we continue that tradition in my home – and I hope in yours. God bless you, God bless America, and Happy Thanksgiving.
****
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► GUARDIAN 28 November 2013
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► Ukraine, EU fail to salvage trade pact
► Stores open early but shoppers in no rush - By Dhanya Skariachan and Lisa Baertlein
Some early U.S. shoppers headed to stores on Thanksgiving Day in search of deals on a day long reserved for families to bond over turkey and football.
* Thanksgiving Day marked with travel, parades, shopping
* Video: U.S. troops mark Thanksgiving in Afghanistan
* Video: Despite windy weather, Macy's Day Parade carries on
* Retailers slash prices and profit to lure consumers
* Full Coverage: Black Friday
* SLIDESHOW
► OPINION : If Katie Couric is the answer, what's the question? - by Jack Shafer
► Protesters in Ukraine keep up the pro-EU fight || ► Tymoshenko speaks out about mother's hunger strik
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► NYPD : Weather 'Looks Very Good' for Balloons || ► Balloons, Spirits Soar at NYC Macy's Parade || ► US Troops in Afghanistan Enjoy Thanksgiving
► NEWS
■ IAEA says may need more money to help implement Iran nuclear deal
■ Israeli new VP for regional science project that includes Iran
■ Iran invites UN experts to Arak heavy water plant
■ Ukraine, EU fail to salvage trade pact
■ EU leaders set for tough table-talk with Ukraine's Yanukovich
■ EU leaves door open for Ukraine deal after summit
Ehhehee .... Did you mean, "If you change your mind, then you may call me, okay?"
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■ Canada allowed widespread NSA surveillance at 2010 G20 summit: report
■ AP sources: Plan calls for ship to destroy weapons
■ Australian diplomacy tested by Indonesia, China rows
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■ Exxon sells Iraq oil stake to PetroChina
■ Vienna zoo names baby panda 'Happy Leopard'
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■ Afghan president condemns U.S. airstrike that killed a child
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► SHINE
■ Panko Latkes with Sour Cream and Chives
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► Today's African Proverb : "You can chew for someone but you cannot swallow for them"- A Krio proverb from Sierra Leone sent by Mariama Ndioko, Hanover, Germany
Right! My late father was not a fascist. He could not dictate to me for whatever I would do with my spit when saying my opinion. Swallowed by my own. Numb. Or to his attempt to dismiss my tears every time I recalled all of our conversations. Tik.Tik.Tik.
*One More Thing
Everytime my baby is having difficulty swallowing food that I think it's too big for his throat, I do not chew it but I grind it with a spoon until the meal size becomes smaller. And if he does not want to swallow it, I take the most practical shortcut: I chew it for myself. Done.
My little darling, mommy eating your food because you do not like it and the mom does not have the heart to throw it. When you do not want to eat -- while there's plenty of nutritious food available to you -- you should be considerate to a lot of malnourished babies in this world. They want to eat but nothing can be eaten.
Mom is not mad at you, but mom is teaching you about something else that is more valuable than simply throwing all the food you do not like, understand?
What? Wow. Stop your lecture, Cisca! No need to pretend to teach your baby about the weight issues if what you really want is eating the baby's food,ehhehehe ... feel like want to be a baby again, maybe?)
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America, Israel, Saudi, Qatar, Turkey, Zionist, al-Qaeda are Tweedledum and Tweedledee. They all make a conspiracy to cause chaos in Syria in order to overthrow the government supported by the Syrian people, the people who support the Palestinian resistance. Mossad, CIA and Blackwater involved in violence in the Syrian military. Iran is Syria's boss. (And how could I forget the role of a boss, for example, my boss?) Whowhaa.....
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► UKRAINE : Ukraine Stuck Between Russia and the West - Ukraine turmoil pits president against pro-western protesters
On February 2, 2010 the second round of presidential elections held in Ukraine. In the first round, Victor Yushchenko who has ever grabbed the reins of government through the Orange revolution just earned only 5% of the vote. In the second round he did not participate in the competition. Yanukovych won the first round of 35% and Tymoshenko 25%. Then they competed in the second round. Victor Yanukovych who was loyal to Russia and has served as prime minister and president in 2004 won the second round 48%, Tymoshenko won 46%. Thus Yanukovych was crowned as the new head of state. Does it mean the end of the Orange revolution era and Ukraine back into the Russia followers? How about the battle effect between Russian-Americans in the Ukraine in the future?
1. As already known, after the presidential election of 2004 there was a revolution that led to the fall Yanukovych Orange from the reins of government. Victor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko to form a coalition which was loyal to the West. That led to rising escalation of hostilities between Russia on one hand and the West, represented by the U.S. and Europe on the other. Both parties mutually commited acts against other. However, Yushchenko during his reign raised the escalation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine in his efforts to be the NATO's member. Also through his statement relating to the transfer of the Russian Black Sea fleet from Crimea peninsula. Besides, he also built a solid relationship with the government of Saakashvili in Georgia and adopted a policy of continuous battle with Russia in all aspects, especially in the energy and security issues. Therefore, Yushchenko could not achieve widespread popular support, especially with his national project which overall can be assessed as a battle program with Russia.
2. Ukraine which covers 603700 square kilometers with a population of 48 million people occupy a strategic position because it overlooks the Black Sea. Ukraine also becomes a network of pathways for energy, particularly the natural gas pipelines. Ukraine has a uniqueness as a link between Europe and Asia, it could affect the global and regional balance. Therefore Russia, U.S. and the EU are very concerned about Ukraine.
3. One thing that needs to be reviewed as well is about the strategic importance of Ukraine in Russia views. Russia sees Ukraine with great attention. That's because the majority of the eastern regions of Ukraine population adopts the Orthodox and speaking Russian. This is from one side. From the other side, because of the presence of the Russian Black Sea fleet base there -- according to the agreement- - will expire in 2017.
After the Orange Revolution in Ukraine in 2004, relations with Russia experiencing turmoil. This was due to Ukraine's move to gain its membership in the EU, the Ukrainian attitude towards the Russian Black Sea fleet stationed in Sivastopol and because of the disputes about natural gas.
Russia therefore exerted its great effort to heat up the atmosphere against Yushchenko's administration, especially in the eastern regions of Ukraine and some other areas in Ukraine which were loyal to Russia. Russia succeeded in the last election by placing the loyal government to Russian to the reins of government in Ukraine. Russia was finally able to breathe freely.
When Yanukovych to power, he soon signed a treaty with Moscow in the energy field. He strengthened the economic cooperation between them. He also intentionally developed relationships in the fields of media, dissemination of information, education, language and culture. Yanukovych hinted at the possibility of doing a new agreement relating to the Russian Black Sea fleet in exchange for lowered price of natural gas. According to the news, Yanukovych declared, "Issues relating to the Russian Black Sea Fleet could dissolution with descriptions that provide benefits for Ukraine and Russia".
On the other hand, Ukraine has strategic geographical position and become the energy network's traffic, it connects the Europe with Asia. Therefore Ukraine has always been a concern of Russia.
4. Meanwhile, the strategic importance of Ukraine in the U.S. view has a vital importance for the Americans who seek to outflank the regional of Russia's influence. Therefore, the loss of the U.S. influence over Ukraine in front of Russian influence means the stretched hand of Russia in the Black Sea and Eastern Europe. Therefore the U.S. mobilized its efforts in creating the Orange revolution that brought Yushchenko to power. So in that era, Ukraine became a major strategic partner for the U.S.. In the aid list provided by the U.S., it provided its economic assistance to Ukraine in the amount ranks third after Israel and Egypt. It was to cut off Ukraine 's dependence on Russia economically. But the U.S. --- during its economic crisis, especially the U.S. also fell into the abyss in Iraq and Afghanistan --- could not give enough attention and resources needed to Ukraine. This situation helped Russia and made it easier to affect the stability of Orange revolution.
5. Ukraine's strategic urgency in view of the EU could be considered as a wall of separation between Russia and Eastern Europe. Through the Ukraine territory, as many as 80% of Russian natural gas flowing to Europe which supplies a quarter of Europe's gas consumption. Therefore, Ukraine is very important for Europe. After Poland became the member of EU, and Romania and Bulgaria qualified for the EU membership, then Ukraine became neighboring countries of EU and has great urgency for EU. Ukraine on one side becomes a bridge between Russia and Europe. On the other side Ukraine can also be considered as a buffer for both of them.
6. That is the urgency of Ukraine for all the countries. All countries are very attentive to the recent election in Ukraine. The problem is, Yanukovych success with only 3% margin. The results show clearly that the political atmosphere has not changed much from the previous. Although Victor Yushchenko who's loyal to the West and lost his job as president, and Yanukovych who's loyal to Russia and served as president, but it's too hasty to say that the Orange revolution era has ended and that Ukraine will be re-circulated in Russia's orbit entirely. That's because Yanukovych won by a very small margin.
It means, loyalty to the West in Ukraine still has weight and influence. So, the battle between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine will continue.
7. Yanukovych understood the problem. That's why, even though he's loyal to Russia, actuallyYanukovych made his first visit to Brussels and not to Moscow. He did it to attract and keep the European approach to the facts of his loyalty to Russia from the public view, especially his success in the election by a very small margin, also so that he did not face his future as he faced after the 2004 election , when the people took to the streets and dragged him down from the reign.
Therefore, a situation that can be expected is that Yanukovych will use ways to show a certain balance between Russia and the West. He will also cover his policies with unsurprising cover for America and EU, even though he actually will adopt a politic which is close to Russia.
Sergei Taran of the International Institute for Democracy in Kiev has hinted at it in a statement quoted by BBC Turkey on February 8, 2010. He said, "The outline for Yanukovych administration is clear. Yanukovych will try to improve its relations with Kremlin. He will keep the debate surrounding Ukrainian membership in NATO. He also will extend the term of Russian Black Sea Fleet agreement based in the Crimean peninsula that will end in 2017."
Undoubtedly, the West understands Yanukovych loyalty to Russia. The West also understands that the application of confrontational politics with Yanukovych will not be efficient. But the appropriate political is political implementation which outwardly showing the closeness, while the inside contains the ways in other colors to create an obstacle in front of Yanukovych. That's why the U.S. gave "congratulation" for the success of Yanukovych in the election, just as was done by the EU.
With all that, the influence battle of the West, particularly the United States and Russia to Ukraine will not stop, because of the urgency of the country for each party. They have the same weight and influence in Ukraine. Moreover, by a margin of votes in the election between the two party bases only 3%, it means that both parties have an effective pillar in Ukraine.
***
(CZ-lacalifusa112713)
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