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Showing posts from November, 2004

Remembering Larry Brown

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We'll miss you, Larry.

Falluja 'a horror' after U.S.- led offensive

Long road ahead for residents of shattered city

Alejandro Escovedo Q&A

Ladies & Gentlemen, The Legend

Another one bites the dust

Bush's US security chief 'quits'

Tom Brokaw leaving is sad but this is distressing

Tavis Smiley leaving NPR Check out his remaining and archived shows: The Tavis Smiley Show

Quote of the Day

As democracy is perfected, the office of the president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) Amrican Writer

Bet you didn't know about this...

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We are still here : A Photo Exhibit

Lincoln University Student Wants School Name Changed

...describing Abraham Lincoln as a white supremacist, an atheist and a man who was against slavery only so far as it competed with free white labor in the newly acquired territories.

We'll miss you Larry!

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Larry Brown 1951-2004

Unreal American

This is an editorial that was published in the Tennessean by David S. Harkness who is the father of a friend of mine. A Christian responds to claims of moral monopoly

Films worth watching...

The best films you've never seen as listed in " Never Coming to a Theater Near You " by Kenneth Turan To name a few: " Ronin " " Heavenly Creatures " " Proof " " High Fidelity " " Spirited Away " " Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey " " The Third Man " " Pipe Dream " " Dry Cleaning " " East Side Story " "It sounds like parody," says Turan of this film, which is about the socialist musicals of the USSR and Iron Curtain countries: films with titles such as "Tractor Drivers" and "No Cheating Darling," made under the supervision of allegedly humorless apparatchiks. Stalin was actually a fan of the musicals. "There is stuff at which your jaw just drops, and yet they were hugely popular," says Turan. "It's an interesting corner of film history."

The six best Soccer players in the World

FIFA World Player of the Year award , the shortlist: Thierry Henry Andrei Shevchenko Ronaldinho Mia Hamm Birgit Prinz Marta

Buddhist Thought of the Day

The problem is not materialism as such. Rather, it is the underlying assumption that full satisfaction can arise from gratifying the senses alone. Unlike animals whose quest for happiness is restricted to survival and to the immediate gratification of sensory desires, we human beings have the capacity to experience happiness at a deeper level which, when achieved, can overwhelm unhappy experiences. His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Count Me In

Independent Course Taken by Netflix The New Zealand film "Whale Rider," whose young star Keisha Castle-Hughes earned an Oscar nomination but whose ticket sales totaled about $20 million, has been rented on Netflix more than either "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" or "The Hulk."

Probably got something to do with the hair...

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He spits he scores!

Sizzla makes no apologies

No apology from 'anti-gay' singer I don't agree with what these singers are saying and he ought to know that the boneheads listening to him aren't gonna hear the metaphor but he has put his song in a religious context and, it seems, OutRage! has mis-interpreted his lyrics to a degree...when he says "fire pon" or "fire will burn" he is saying something akin to, "God's wrath will come down on", "not let us go burn". Like I said, I know, and these singers should too, that their audience is not so pious that they will always take the lyrics to mean something religious. "They can't ask me to apologise," he told BBC radio station 1Xtra. "They've got to apologise to God because they break God's law."

I'm selling furniture...

5 piece Danish Modern Bedroom Set

Happy T-giving!

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Thanksgiving on the Net I am thankful for: The life I have The opportunities given to be by the work of my family The family and friends I have My health (albeit not close to perfect) Tara (she is in a class by herself)

Now that that's taken care of

A Blackburn Rovers fan has been fined £1,000 and banned from football grounds for five years for racially abusing

Irreverent Scripture

The 23rd Sigh Bush is my shepherd; I dwell in want. He maketh logs to be cut down in national forests. He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness. He restoreth my fears. He leadeth me in the paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of pollution and war, I will find no exit, for thou art in office. Thy tax cuts for the rich and thy media control, they discomfort me. Thou preparest an agenda of deception in the presence of thy religion. Thou anointest my head with foreign oil. My health insurance runneth out. Surely megalomania and false patriotism shall follow me all the days of thy term, And my jobless child shall dwell in my basement forever.

This is getting really scary!

Fans at the Bernabeu were seen making Nazi salutes and directed monkey chants at Bayer Leverkusen 's Roque Junior . Uefa awaits report on Real shame

You want Schism, I'll give you Schism

Episcopal Bishop to Stop Blessing Same-Sex Unions It's the LA Times so you have to sign up, or go here first.

It's about time they took him back

Donovan to leave MLS, rejoin Leverksuen

Congrats, Sir Alex!

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Man Utd 2-1 Lyon

Sports hero of the week - Taking a stand.

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As much as we all bad talk referees this is the kind I want officiating my sporting events! Racism may cause Arsenal walk-off

Congrats to the new Rhodes Scholars!

One of them might become president of the usa... 2005 Rhodes Scholars

Do as I say, commrade.

Movie Scandal Angers Chinese This is an LA Times article. You music sign in. If you don't want to use your info go here .

Why is this all coming to a head now?

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Police probe Yorke 'racism' claim

I always had fun here and now the world knows what a great place it is...

The November 15 issue of TIME magazine picks Nashville Children's Theatre as one of the Top Five Children's Theatres in the US.

This is a good start; now lets see some action

Spanish FA apologises over racism

The saga continues

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Rio Ferdinand almost quit Spain game I want to apologise in the name of the Spanish government to anyone who may have felt offended by these expressions Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos

See the world through a camera lens

This is an absolutely amazing photographic record of America and the some of the other parts of the world. Photo Gallery of Jacob Holdt

Is Spanish football racist?

I was in Spain for a few months in 88. I didn't get to any soccer matches nor did I personally experience anything but I did get a sense that there was some underlying anger towards Africans. Racist behaviour could be seen "every week and all over the country" Carlos Ferreyra Nunez, co-ordinator of Spain's United Against Racism

Somebody Get Me A Doctor

I guess DOA means something different now for DLR. David Lee Roth training to become EMT

¡Viva España!

Spain 1-0 England Even though their fans are racist assholes! England defender A. Cole was the target for clear racist chanting See also or this one .

Go on with your ride pimpin' self!

Xzibit Slams Commercial Rap, Urges New Message I think Pimp my Ride is my new TV guilty pleasure. I'm tired of the Real World and Trading Spaces . Pimp my Ride satisfies my "guy w/cars", my "guy w/gadgets" and my "what would would you do if you won the lottery" diet. Besides, they are always doing something nice for the kids whose cars they fix up.

A Black man comes to run your company and see what happens!

Kmart Buying Sears in $11.5 Billion Deal

Cashville in the House! The Big House!

Why they gotta be like that?!

What do you think they are smiling about?

Condi and her husband, I mean, the president sure seem to be close in alot of these photos floating around today...you make the call! Thanks Phin for bringing this up

New Country of California

Dear President Bush: Congratulations on your victory over all us non-evangelicals. Actually, we're a bit ticked off here in California, so we're leaving you. California will now be its own country. And we're taking all the Blue States with us. In case you are not aware, that includes Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and all of the Northeast States. We spoke to God, and she agrees that this split will be beneficial to almost everybody - especially to us in the new country of California. In fact, God is so excited about the idea, she's going to shift the whole country at 4:30 PM EST this Friday. Therefore, please let everyone know they need to be back in their own states by then. God agrees we should have Pacific Ocean and Hollywood. Of course, that means we're getting San Diego too (sorry, that's just how it goes). But God is letting you keep the KKK and country music (except the Dixie Chicks). Just so we're

N.C. lawyer disbarred for stealing from guitarist Trucks

W. Kelly Elder Jr., a North Carolina lawyer has been disbarred for stealing about $170,000 from Allman Brothers guitarist Derek Trucks, officials said.

Condoleezza Rice, the first woman to be the first black woman of everything

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' As the first black female secretary of state she would win a place in the history books'

This is why it's called the gentleman's sport

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Vieira dream becomes reality

Buddhist Thought of the Day

The very purpose of our life is happiness, the very motion of our lives is toward happiness. His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Earnie Stewart departs an MLS champion

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Earnie Stewart leaves MLS to go back to Holland

Political timewaster

Be sure to go to the gallery or click on the first picture... http://sorryeverybody.com/

Secretary of State Powell Resigns

The Secretary announced to his staff this morning that he had submitted his resignation on Friday. We knew this was gonna happen, right? We all agree that he's been the odd man out since 9/11, right? Please tell me this doesn't surprise anybody.

Teresa is a fascinating story, but Obama is a rock star!

Rising Stars of the Ruplican Party I don't agree with Ms. Malkin's POV but I like the fact that she is pointing out that other minorities are getting in the game.

And we have a winner

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DC wins 4th MLS Cup with all sorts of records. They won with 10 men. They scored 3 goals in 6min. Freddy Adu became the youngest pro athlete on any Championship team, in any sport, in American History Peter Nowack became the first US athlete to win a championship as a player and win a championship as a coach within two years of retiring as a player (I think I've got the details of that right)

RIP ODB

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Ol Dirty Bastard dies at recording studio

Congrats to all the star players of the MLS

'El Lobo' (Amado Guevara) named 2004 MLS Honda MVP

Alejandro Escovedo and his masterpiece

' By the Hand of the Father ,' a performance that blends music, video and dialogue, dramatizes the journey of Mexican men to the United States.

The Baddest Band in the Land

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Derek Trucks Band brings its soulful fusion

I wish all artists were this humble.

Derek Trucks strives for signature sound

How sad.

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Talented and my age...how can it get so bad? Iris Chang found dead

Gonzales looks like trouble

Gonzales has also fostered the administration's culture of secrecy. For example, almost as soon as Bush entered office, Gonzales championed an executive order that altered the 1978 Presidential Records Act to severely restrict access to documents. Gonzales is a zealous proponent of the USA Patriot Act... Gonzales Is a Disastrous Choice LA Times requires sign in for some content. If you don't want to use your real name go here first.

Darwin Award Nominees

1. WILL THE REAL DUMMY PLEASE STAND UP? AT&T fired President John Walter after nine months, saying he lacked intellectual leadership. He received a $26 million severance package. Perhaps it's not Walter who's lacking intelligence??? 2. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS: Police in Oakland, CA spent two hours attempting to subdue a gunman who had barricaded himself inside his home. After firing ten tear gas canisters, officers discovered that the man was standing beside them in the police line, shouting, "Please come out and give yourself up." 3. WHAT WAS PLAN B??? An Illinois man, pretending to have a gun, kidnapped a motorist and forced him to drive to two different automated teller machines, wherein the kidnapper proceeded to withdraw money from his own bank accounts. 4. THE GETAWAY! A man walked into a Topeka, Kansas Kwik Stop and asked for all the money in the cash drawer. Apparently, the take was too small, so he tied up the store clerk and worked t

The Architects of Defeat

I've never heard a liberal or democrat or left-leaning moderate criticize James Carville before...leave it to Arianna. Twelve days before the election, James Carville stood in a Beverly Hills living room surrounded by two generations of Hollywood stars. After being introduced by Sen. John Kerry's daughter, Alexandra, he told the room — confidently, almost cockily — that the election was in the bag. "If we can't win this damn election," the advisor to the Kerry campaign said, "with a Democratic Party more unified than ever before, with us having raised as much money as the Republicans, with 55% of the country believing we're heading in the wrong direction, with our candidate having won all three debates, and with our side being more passionate about the outcome than theirs — if we can't win this one, then we can't win [anything]! And we need to completely rethink the Democratic Party." Well, as it turns out, that's exactly what shoul

MLS Cup preview

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" Nothing has been given to me " DC United forward, Freddy Adu

A strong link in the oral history tradition!

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Alejandro Escovedo's music provides the backdrop for a tale about men who immigrated to the United States from Mexico

Asalaam Alekum Prime Minister

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Veteran leader Yasser Arafat dies On this holy of holy days, peace be with you.

Bob Dylan: Reluctant Prophet

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Dylan's new memoir traces his spiritual and musical journey through modern America. Some of us new this already.

Top Ten Excuses...

...if you Get Caught Sleeping at Your Desk: "They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen." "This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time management course you sent to me ." "Whew! Guess I left the top off the Whiteout. You probably got here just in time." "I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating on the mission statement and envisioning a new business strategy." "I was testing my keyboard for drool resistance." "I was doing a highly specific Yoga exercise to relieve work-related stress. Are you discriminatory toward people who practice Yoga?" "Darn! Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out how to handle that big accounting problem." "Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?" "Who put decaf in the wrong pot?" NUMBER ONE excuse if you get caught sleeping at your desk... Raise you

Strange Brew cures what's inside of you!

Oh boy, oh boy! Cream Stirring Up 2005 Reunion

Buddhist Thought of the Day

We plant merit with our minds, and we commit crimes with our minds. With our minds, we imprint images. This one mind is like an artist. It can draw anything, and what it draws is realized. If you surrender your impressions, ideas, thoughts, and so on at the moment they arise without imprinting them on your mind, your minds will not be tainted, just as the lotus flower is not tainted by the muddy water whence it grows. Jae Woong Kim, " Polishing The Diamond "

The wheel in the sky keeps on turning...

...and I don't know where I'll be tomorrow. Mutu to hold talks with Juventus

The Arm of Communism Wields A Heavy Hammer

China's Christians suffer for their faith

What? Why do things have to be so complicated?

Drug for Only Blacks Stirs Hope, Concern As stated in the article: Why can't it be a good new drug and doctors prescribe accordingly? AND it lends credence to the misnomer that blacks are genetically different. Urrrgh! Why doesn't something so positive have to be clouded by such goofiness! If you haven't signed up with the LA Times go here first.

Buddhist Thought of the Day - Compassion

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. His Holiness the Dalai Lama How can such a simple message be so difficult?

How many other pro sports would address the fans like this...

This was in my email box last Friday. November 5, 2004 D.C. United supporters: I am writing to each of you today for two very important reasons. First, on behalf of the entire United organization, I would like to thank you for your support of the team at RFK Stadium this season. Secondly, speaking for each of the players that will step onto our home field tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m., I am urging all of you to come out and cheer louder than ever as we play for the Eastern Conference Championship . Already this season, you've earned our respect as the League's best fans, coming out in droves to cheer us on. In fact, our average home attendance ranked second in the League this year. On the field, we, the players, responded to your overwhelming passion for our club, posting a League-best 9-2-4 record. Now, as we play for the right to go to the MLS Cup final, we need each and every one of you loyal United fans in the stands wearing black and doing your part in

The Whoppers of 2004

Fact fudges of the Presidential campaign.

Mediterranean Dominance

Fox Sports World Club Rankings The List: 1(tie) Barcelona (ESP) 1(tie) Juventus (ITA) 3 Chelsea (ENG) 4 Arsenal (ENG) 5 AC Milan (ITA) 6 Lyon (FRA) 7 PSV Eindhoven (HOL) 8 Real Madrid (ESP) 9 Inter Milan (ITA) 10 Manchester Utd (ENG) 11 Santos (BRA) 12 Boca Juniors (ARG) 13(tie) Valencia (ESP) 13(tie) Wolfsburg (GER) 15 Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 16 Celtic (SCO) 17 Sevilla (ESP) 18 Velez Sarsfield (ARG) 19 Bayern Munich (GER) 20 Newell's Old Boys (ARG) 21 Werder Bremen (GER) 22 Lille (FRA) 23(tie) River Plate (ARG) 23(tie) Benfica (POR) 23(tie) Feyenoord (HOL) The voting: The FSWCR are compiled from votes by FSI writers and commentators from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. The world club rankings are published every other Thursday.

The Black Out Continues

United headed to MLS Cup after dramatic win

The Future Is Ours

Despite long lines and registration snafus, voters under age 30 clocked the highest turnout percentage since 1972.
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Another one... 

My boy Billy gettin some press.

The Sidelines ( MTSU Student Paper) Issue: 11/4/04 Radio free Nashville By Joey Hood Wading through the frothy filler of Nashville's radio cesspool, you'll find a hardened voice scrupulously reading his seersucker-suited boss' focus group tested script. As his trademarked tongue rolls over the predetermined script verbatim, his lifeless fingers press 'play.' Soon, the listener will be accosted with the list of usual suspects: Christina Aguilera, Switchfoot, Kelly Clarkson, Ashlee Simpson, Chingy, Avril Lavigne and Usher. Meanwhile, a teenager in Memphis digests a suspiciously familiar lineup. Well... maybe there's some variation. Possibly Eminem's latest release is tacked on at the top-of-the-hour, a dusty homage to Lauryn Hill accidentally plugged-in at the bottom. Two stations down, a ranting Republican toastmaster rabidly misconstrues Sen. John Kerry's war record. After pausing for rancorous laughs, the talk show moderator return
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Let the jokes begin 

African reaction to US Presidential Election

South Africans are bemoaning a black day for the world and its poorest continent - Africa - as George Bush gets ready for another for another term in office South Africa's Star US election: African reaction

Time - Black Tuesday Edition

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That's one way to put it.

This sure seems to be the case.

Guardian Unlimited | US elections 2004 | Election exit polls 'useless' and 'distorted'

Two Nations Under God

Thomas Friedman hits the nail on the head . If you aren't signed up at the NY Times I urge you to do so but if you don't want to give your info out, go here first and then the Times.

Happy Alejandro Escovedo Day!

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.vek, Alejandro Escovedo & Jai Originally uploaded by bmitd67 . Al is one of the greatest living songwriters and musicians you have probably never heard of. After a really rough patch recently he seems to be heading back out on the road. He is one of the most genuine and honest people I have ever met, let alone gotten to know (we don't talk on the phone or anything but I would call him an acquaintance). Read more about his special day This is from a few years ago, my friend .vek and i went to Lynagh's in Lexington, KY for what was Al's last show at Lynagh's.

Maybe we did bring democracy to Iraq!?!

If the Iraqis are saying something like this: Iraqis Challenge Bush to Do Better Than Saddam , then I guess we did bring democracy it Iraq. Besides the fact that they wouldn't have been able to sat things like this when Saddam was there I love the irony in the fact that are seeing strange similarities between Bush and Saddam.

Quote of the Day - Blues style

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I got the blues so bad I can't hardly walk. Furry Lewis  Maybe this is why Fred Samford limped.

Is it disappointing or par for the course?

George Bush and Dick Cheney have the White House for an additional four years. Congratulations to them and their supports. The win begs to ask if Americans are blind to the realities or are we that easily duped into believing that this current administration is doing a good enough job to deserve term #2. I am disappointed that we did not hold George Bush to his 2000 promise, which became even more important after that all important date of 9/11/01. He has not united this country and as we saw with some results from the election he has polarized us even more...the areas that were strong Bush are stronger Bush and the areas that were strong Gore or democrat are stronger Democrat. If he was the uniter he claims to be would we really have an 49/51 split in the popular vote, and practically that in the Electoral College? What else? Oh yeah, the invasion, and seemingly endless presence/occupation, of Iraq. After you study your history and your current events you cannot believe that

Barack Obama becomes third black US Senator in 150 years

An international perspective on Obama's win...from the Hindustan Times ?

Quote of the Day

You know Stephen King has that back page editorial in Entertainment Weekly and here's the last line from Issue #787 (Oct 8, 2004): Music is powerful. Music can change hearts. And hearts can change minds.

It's Election Day - five simple things you can do

by David Batstone 1) A vote is a terrible thing to waste. Don't put off going to the polls to the last minute. Stuff happens, and you may lose your opportunity to cast a ballot. Once you are in the privacy of your booth, vote with ALL your values. Vote not how you "should" - because someone told you that was the only way to vote if you are a true Sneetch (think Dr. Seuss), or whatever other creature you are supposed to be - but vote how you "must," led by your conscience. 2) Ask at least 10 people (count 'em out until you're done!) during the course of the day whether they have voted. Remind them that people before us have taken on remarkable personal risk, and even death, to give us this right. Many of our SojoMail readers will be going one step further, and walking door to door to remind people to vote, or even driving those with limited mobility to the polls. 3) Be an advocate for anyone who is denied the right to vote. The fact that more than

Seven considerations I make when voting

by John Hay Jr. John Hay Jr. serves the West Morris Street Free Methodist Church of Indianapolis, Indiana, as senior pastor. He has directed Horizon House , the city's homeless day center, and worked extensively with urban neighborhood revitalization. He offers these seven principles to consider when voting: 1. I ask of any candidate's or administration's positions and proposals, "What does it do to the poor?" 2. I do not expect the American president to be a Christian or my brand of Christian. 3. I recognize that the priorities of the kingdom of God and the agendas of American presidents and governments are not the same. 4. I look for a candidate who I think will lead compassionately, not just talk about compassion. 5. I recognize that most "all-or-nothing" issues cast during election campaigns are NOT "all-or-nothing." 6. I ask, "How has a candidate responded to violence or used violence? And how does he or she plan to respond

VOTE!

Today is your last chance to Vote! Remember: people died for you to have the right to vote and you are a part of this American community. VOTE!

All Hail Netflix

All my local friends know how much I LOVE my Netflix but let me tell, it keeps getting better and it's the little things that matter... Today they dropped prices! Who wouldn't love that. A couple of weeks ago they started indicating which movies were already in your queue when you were on the browse or recommend page. Now, when you add a movie to your queue it tells you that it just added the movie to the last spot and asks if you would like to movie it to the first spot! Genius! Plain and simple genius! Go to Netflix (I have a link on the righthand side of this very page!)

A coup for live music addicts across the UK

The Brit Awards , the UK's top music honours, are to drop their dance category in favour of a new trophy for best British live act in 2005.

Quote of the Day

Health , learning & virtue will ensure your happiness; they will give you a quiet conscience , private esteem & public honor . Thomas Jefferson

Buddhist Thought of the Day - Tough Love

Regard him as one who points out treasure, the wise one who seeing your faults rebukes you. Stay with this sort of sage. For the one who stays with a sage of this sort, things get better, not worse. Dhammapada, 6, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
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Cisse has successful operation on the double broken leg 

Damn! You don't need to be sucha prima donna

My career is over, says Mutu