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R.P. BenDedek
Photograph of the Week: Chiara Braccagni
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| Taken at the Jewish Refugee Museum Shanghai: Chiara (who speaks Italian English French German and Chinese) from Udine in Italy, works for a French Company in Shanghai, (although this week she is in Bordeaux in France). She has published a number of stories of her life in China in both Italian and English. The reflection in the window is me! |
Jun 16, 2013 - 12:02:30 AM
Guest Column
Washington's Secure Border Scam
We have already seen how this current administration respects our immigration laws, by issuing executive & stand down orders to bypass current law that it doesn't agree with. So what will be any different if after amnesty is granted to 11 million illegals, that this administration or the next one will decide to leave the borders alone and unsecured?
Jun 18, 2013 - 9:52:52 PM
State
Americans for Prosperity Maine Anti-Tax Rally Thursday
Americans for Prosperity Maine is expressing their disappointment over the tax increases in the current budget proposal approved by the Legislature. The Rally will take place at 11AM in the State House Halls of Flags and feature remarks from Governor Paul LePage and Mary Adams, Taxpayer Protection Pledge Director as well as Carol Weston, Americans for Prosperity Maine State Director and event host.
Jun 18, 2013 - 9:48:16 PM
R.P. BenDedek
Determining the Reign of King Saul of Israel.
Despite the fact that the King's Calendar can reduce the overall time frame through the use of the artificial calendar, it is not an easy matter to determine exactly when King Saul commenced his reign, precisely because the information contained in the Book of Judges is both excessive and incomplete. Reference to Saul himself in 1 Samuel 13:1, is corrupt. 1 Samuel 13:1 literally reads: "Saul was a year old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years over Israel". (Miller & Hayes, 1986, p.129) Despite this, the King's Calendar has been able to fairly accurately determine when King Saul commenced his reign.
Jun 18, 2013 - 9:43:51 PM
Kenneth Tellis
What gives America its strength and its greatness?
As a people the New Englanders were up to the task and if they were successful, it was because they had backbones. Not only were these new Englanders great achievers but people who could develop ideas and make their lands the envy of their Franco-Amerindian neighbours in the French colony of New France. We sometimes overlook the real reason for the French and Indian Wars, because we have not taken the time to do an in-depth study
Jun 18, 2013 - 9:39:48 PM
Guest Column
Where are Watch-dogs of Democracy?
Where are those watch-dogs of democracy? Why are they scared? Who paid them off? Or, have they been betraying us and our way of life willingly?
Jun 18, 2013 - 9:35:49 PM
Today in History
June 18 - Today in History
Today is June 18. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 18, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Today in History
June 17 - Today in History
Today is June 17. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 17, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Down the Road
The rain in Maine
I say still, because I remember taking pictures for a newspaper of that flooding. There was that spot in South Paris, where Routes 119 and 117 meet. Every year I took pictures of that same flooded stream, the Little Androscoggin River (If you're from there and don't spell well, it's Little Andy River.). Every year it would nudge at its banks, and every year I faithfully took the pictures. Looking back, I could have just taken the picture once and each year used a different picture caption. It was always the same, high and wet. Probably still is.
Jun 16, 2013 - 2:42:15 AM
State
House Passes 100% Made-in-the-USA Military Uniforms
The House of Representatives has passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Michaud that would require any footwear provided to members of the Armed Forces upon initial entry be made in America. New Balance, which can make footwear to comply with federal procurement rules (photo attached), employs hundreds of Mainers in Norway, Norridgewock and Skowhegan.
Jun 16, 2013 - 2:38:28 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Understanding the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1
According to the authorized version, 1 Kings 6:1 tells us that Solomon's 4th year is the 480th year since the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt. The Septuagint however tells us that it is the 440 th. Year. The Book of Judges provides an incomplete list of the judgeships in, and periods of oppression against, Israel and yet still manages to record 450 years worth of seemingly consecutive data between the parameters of the 1 King 6:1 Reference. It is only because the two figures differ by 40 years, that it has been assumed, that the Septuagint is correct recording 440 years from Entrance into Canaan and that the Masoretic version has been altered to include the 40 years of wandering. But this does not take into consideration the discrepancy with the Book of Judges.
Jun 16, 2013 - 2:34:52 AM
Book Reviews
Milt Gross Book Review: "The Spy Who Got Away" by David Wise
The book's story of how the Federal Bureau of Investigation and CIA handled Howard's disappearance indicated to me much incompetence in both agencies. Their nearly catching Howard but missing and other mishaps, including their not communicating fully with one another were, to me, more frightening than Howard's becoming or not becoming a spy.
Jun 16, 2013 - 2:28:36 AM
Today in History
June 16 - Today in History
Today is June 16. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 16, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Today in History
June 15 - Today in History
Today is June 15. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 15, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Guest Column
Obama's Unbeatable Combination
As America gets assaulted with one scandal after another surrounding the Obama administration, there is speculation more is to come....And that speculation adds fuel to a bonfire of suspicion that this administration would stop at nothing to win its' re-election. The 2012 presidential election was really not decided on a national level, it was always about who could take the edge in the deciding 9 swing/battleground states.
Jun 14, 2013 - 8:56:28 AM
News
Pittsfield Resident Delivers Opening Prayer in U.S. House of Representatives
Maine Army National Guard Colonel Andrew L. Gibson served as guest chaplain in the House of Representatives and delivered the opening prayer. C-SPAN video footage of the prayer can be found here.
Jun 14, 2013 - 8:53:17 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Pharaoh Drowned in Red Sea - Bible Lies?
The Christian 'Bible' is actually a collection of 'authorized' Jewish records compiled over 1000 years of Jewish history. After Nebuchadrezzar captured Jerusalem in 586 BCE the Jews in exile decided that they had better start collecting and collating their history. It was during this period that the books of Kings and Chronicles were written, as well as the translation into Greek called 'the Septuagint' (LXX). The canonization of Scripture for both Jew and Christian however, did not take place for another 600 + years. Quite aside from the actual issue of the identity of the Pharaoh of the Exodus, the biggest problem that we have with Bible skeptics is that they have just as much bought into the premise that every single word in the King James Authorized English Bible is infallible, as some Christians. It is the premise on which all their attacks are based.
Jun 14, 2013 - 8:49:13 AM
Education
Education Key to Stopping Scams and Financial Abuse of Seniors
June 13, 2013 -- TheWestern Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment services, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) today announced efforts to promote awareness of scams that target seniors. June 15th is the United Nations-designated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Jun 14, 2013 - 8:46:27 AM
State
New Board Chairperson at Crisis & Counseling Centers' Annual Meeting
Dana Hamilton was announced as the new Board Chairperson at Crisis & Counseling Centers' Annual Meeting & Dinner on May 9 at the Waterville Elks Banquet and Conference Center.
Jun 14, 2013 - 8:44:15 AM
State
$21 Million Approved to Help Maine Transform Long-Term Care System
June 13, 2013: Representative Mike Michaud praised the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement that it has awarded Maine a Balancing Incentives Program grant projected to total approximately $21 million over the next two years. According to CMS, the grant is designed to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their communities, helping to ensure that Maine residents can choose to receive care at home rather than in a nursing home or other facility.
Jun 14, 2013 - 8:42:31 AM
Business
Israel -- a global leader in bio-tech and defense products
Google is acquiring Israel's Waze for $1.1BN. Microsoft controls 10% of Waze. Google acquired, in 2012, two Israeli start ups for $25MN (Globes Business Daily, June 10, 11, 2013). China's Fusson acquired Israel's Alma Lasers for $221MN (Globes, May 29). Singapore's Biosensors International acquired Israel's Spectrom for $51MN (Globes, May 24). The Pennsylvania-based $3.2BN Teleflex acquired Israel's Eon Surgical for over $20MN (Globes, June 11).
Jun 14, 2013 - 8:40:29 AM
Today in History
June 14 - Today in History
Today is June 14. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 14, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Today in History
June 13 - Today in History
Today is June 13. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 13, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Guest Column
Bill O'Reilly's 'Killing Kennedy'
The upcoming two-hour original factual drama, Killing Kennedy by Scott Free Productions, will premiere on the National Geographic Channel later this year. It is timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy; it will air in the United States and globally in 171 countries and 38 languages.
Jun 12, 2013 - 6:43:23 AM
Guest Column
Four billion dollars to the Palestinian Authority? Not by Arabs!
A December 9, 2011 article by Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News highlights a World Bank report: "Arab countries have cut aid to Palestinians substantially, despite their rhetoric of supporting Palestinian rights.... Arab donors provided less than $80 million in the first half of 2011, compared to $231 million in 2010, $462 million in 2009 and $446 million in 2008.... Arab countries have committed to billions in aid in past years that never materialized.... One reason could be that the Arab world has become fed up with the Palestinian problem."
Jun 12, 2013 - 6:39:25 AM
International
Wounded...and dangerous
US Secretary of State John Kerry looks like a bit of an idiot these days. On Monday he announced that he will be returning to Israel and the Palestinian Authority and Jordan for the fifth time since he was sworn into office on February 1. That is an average of more than one visit a month.
Jun 12, 2013 - 6:36:30 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Hyksos and the Exodus
Despite the current belief that Josephus' chronological data is incomprehensible, the King's calendar demonstrates that despite his carelessness sometimes, it is possible to deconstruct and reconstruct his chronological details. When Josephus speaks of the Exodus he speaks merely of the going out from Egypt, and that this refers to the expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt, (not the Mosaic Exodus), calculated by the King's Calendar at 1554 BCE. In Flavius Josephus Against Apion Book 1 :15 Josephus provides a list of dates of the Egyptian Pharaohs from the time of that expulsion to the time of Rameses II.
Jun 12, 2013 - 6:33:59 AM
Kenneth Tellis
An open letter to Brent Rathgeber, MP Edmonton-St. Albert
Your recent decision to leave the Conservative Caucus based on principles, was if nothing else an eye-opener for other Conservative MPs who have been acting like trained seals and have really been party sycophants for years and do not in any way or form really represent their constituents. Your point of view is well taken and I do hope that other MPs in all the parties will now consider themselves as people who were elected by the people to be their representative and not a government's toady.
Jun 12, 2013 - 6:31:53 AM
News
Coalition Urges Maine Legislature to Reject Unprecedented Attack on Democracy
A coalition of groups, including The Humane Society of the United States, Wildlife Alliance of Maine and Citizens in Charge, is urging the Maine legislature to reject a constitutional amendment that deliberately subverts voter participation in the democratic process. LD 1303 would prohibit citizen initiatives that limit hunting and fishing, leaving policy decisions in the hands of special interests who dominate legislative committees and eliminating the right of citizens to vote on inhumane hunting practices such as bear baiting, captive hunts or other activities.
Jun 12, 2013 - 6:30:32 AM
Jim Kouri
Napolitano discusses border security with sheriffs, police chiefs
When President Barack Obama began stumping on Tuesday for his amnesty for illegal aliens and the so-called "gang of eight" reform bill, his Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano prepared the way with a telephone conference with sheriffs and police chiefs serving near the U.S.-Mexican border on Monday, according to officials with the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) directorate. But the majority of the time spent discussing her agenda items made no mention of security deficiencies, according to a participant.
Jun 12, 2013 - 6:27:35 AM
International
The Shamrak Report
During the WWII none of the concentration camps, not even a single railway line or a bridge leading to them, were bombed by the Western Allies or the Soviet bombers. The anti-Semitic attitude is the only policy all international bigots - Communists, Nazis, Democrats, dictators of all sorts and Islamists - have in common! It allows them to control and manipulate common idiots easily.
Jun 12, 2013 - 6:25:39 AM
Today in History
June 12 - Today in History
Today is June 12. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 12, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Today in History
June 11 - Today in History
Today is June 11. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 11, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Today in History
June 10 - Today in History
Today is June 10. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 10, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Down the Road
Sales, what I can't do
We found out our 2009 Toyota Yaris, known by those who know her as Miss Kitty Yaris, has a book value of about $10,000. Dolores asked the banker for how much he thought we might be able to sell Miss kitty -- imagine, selling Kitty Yaris! He replied, "That depends on how good a salesman you are."
Jun 9, 2013 - 12:40:11 AM
Guest Column
All Americans subsidize John Edwards' wealth.
The trial lawyer lobby, which is a stalwart supporter and funder of the Democrat party, made sure no real tort reform would be contained in Obamacare. The Heritage Foundation wrote a revealing article on this unnecessary burden by tort lawyers...and the fear of tort lawyers who increase the cost of healthcare by at least 200 billion per year. One of the highest profile lawyers who has preyed on the healthcare industry in the past, is Democrat Senator and presidential contender John Edwards. Yesterday Edwards announced he is opening up his law practice to resume his lucrative career of suing healthcare, after taking a hiatus for his political ambitions.
Jun 9, 2013 - 12:30:59 AM
News
Michaud Introduces Bill to Improve School Emergency Preparedness
WASHINGTON, DC -- June 5: Today, Representative Mike Michaud introduced the "Multi-Hazard School Disaster Planning and Response Act of 2013," which will provide additional resources to help schools work with local law enforcement to improve school safety plans.
Jun 9, 2013 - 12:25:59 AM
Opinion
Loving an Imperfect Father
The Divorce did not eventuate. In fact, Mr. Chen and Mrs Chen (Senior) just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. "It was a tough long road. We did not know which way it would go. My father said that I affected their marriage tremendously. My mom told me many years later that she was happy that she did not separate from dad." shared Chen.
Jun 9, 2013 - 12:15:24 AM
National
SPJ calls on Attorney General to uphold government's own media guidelines
Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists expressed concern Friday about the possible weakening of existing Department of Justice guidelines governing investigations that involve the news media. "While not perfect from a journalist's perspective, the guidelines are quite good," said SPJ President Sonny Albarado in a letter responding to Attorney General Eric Holder's invitation to attend one of a series of off-the-record policy meetings at Justice. "We would object to any attempt to water them down, include new exceptions and caveats or otherwise make it easier for the government to disregard."
Jun 9, 2013 - 12:10:13 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Ancient Egypt and Merenptah's Stele
It must be appreciated that the 'philistines' of the era of the Judges down to King David's time were actually Egyptian mercenaries and that Israel's conflict with the Philistines, was in fact, with the lords of the philistines, the Egyptians. James Et. Al. currently and tentatively aligns Merenptah's reign with that of King David, but it seems more appropriate to align Merenptah's 5th year with the death of King Saul. Merenptah's commemorative stela could well be a triumphant boast, that this people who were not a nation, but which had managed to unite under Saul's leadership for some 30 years, were once again without a king.
Jun 9, 2013 - 12:07:40 AM
Book Reviews
Milt Gross Movie Review: "Hyde Park on Hudson" directed by Roger Michell
We knew of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and that he was the nation's leader just before and during World War II. We'd heard the usual positive things about him, and we've visited his summer house on Campobella Island just inside Canada. But we'd never heard that Franklin D. Roosevelt had a quiet affair with one of his housekeeping staff, Daisy, portrayed convincingly by Laura Linney. This was the topic of this 2012 94-minute-long movie directed by Roger Michell.
Jun 9, 2013 - 12:05:57 AM
Down the Road
Photograph of the Week: Maine Coastal Views
Jun 9, 2013 - 12:02:37 AM
Today in History
June 9 - Today in History
Today is June 9. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 9, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Tech Notes
Is Travel Insurance Right for You?
Before you purchase coverage, check your homeowner's or medical insurance policies to avoid any overlap. For instance, expensive items such as your camcorder, laptop computer or jewelry may be covered by your homeowner's insurance should they be stolen while you are traveling. If the airline loses your checked luggage, they are required to reimburse you for your bags (up to a certain dollar amount). Or, if you become sick or injured while traveling, your personal medical insurance may pick up the cost of your medical bills.
Jun 8, 2013 - 11:53:39 PM
R.P. BenDedek
The Bethlehem Seal Discovery - Judah 2700 years ago
This particular period of Jewish history (756-701 BCE) is, from a chronological perspective, a difficult period in which to easily and accurately define the Kings and their Rules in Israel and Judah. The difficulties arise from several discrepancies in the Biblical Narratives concerning the kings of Israel and Judah, and a lack of precise information contained in the Assyrian sources.
Jun 8, 2013 - 11:45:44 PM
National
Obama: Address Currency Manipulation in TPP
June 6: 2013. Today, 230 House lawmakers sent a bipartisan letter to President Obama urging him to address currency manipulation as negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) continue. The letter was led by Representatives Mike Michaud (D-Maine), John D. Dingell (D-Michigan), Sam Graves (R-Missouri), and Rick Crawford (R-Arkansas).
Jun 8, 2013 - 11:38:00 PM
Letters
The Muslim future of Paris?
The following was received in an email. It relates to Public Muslim Prayer activities in Paris - activities which are contrary to law and which Christians may not engage in without prosecution. Filmed via hidden camera in 2010, it spells out The Muslim future of Paris. CBN.com video.
Jun 8, 2013 - 11:30:19 PM
Today in History
June 8 - Today in History
Today is June 8. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 8, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Today in History
June 7 - Today in History
Today is June 7. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 7, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
Today in History
June 6 - Today in History
Today is June 6. Here's what happened on this day in history.
Jun 6, 2013 - 12:00:00 AM
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