LL Cool J says Andy Ruiz broke the golden rule when it comes to STAYING successful -- he got comfortable.

If you know LL, you know he's a HUGE boxing fan (see: "Mama Said Knock You Out") ... and it's obvious he was disappointed to see Ruiz blow his run as heavyweight champ.

Ruiz told TMZ Sports he didn't take training camp seriously and "ate everything" -- which is why he showed up to the Anthony Joshua rematch 15 pounds heavier than their first fight.

"At the end of the day when you step in the ring you gotta be ready. And, if youre not ready for whatever reason it doesnt matter, you win or you lose," LL said ... "And he wasnt ready."

"I got respect for [Ruiz]," the rap legend explained -- but he noted, "You cant come into the ring 16 pounds heavier!"

LL knows a little something about sustained greatness -- he's been famous for almost 4 decades -- and he had a little advice for Ruiz moving forward.

"Its the things you do in the valley that gets you to the peaks. And, its the things you do at the peaks that extend the peaks. Part of being great at anything is having the discipline to stay focused when youre successful."

Listen to LL. He knows.

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LL Cool J Drops Truth Bomb on Andy Ruiz, You Blew It - TMZ

Progressives insist that they are the ambassadors of tolerance and compassion and have done so now for decades. They clamor for their endless list of causes behind the garish guise of these two high virtues and insist they stand on the moral high ground in all social issues.

Much to the chagrin of progressives, however, the roots of tolerance and compassion are decidedly religious in origin and remain so. They actually form the Golden Rule. And while the Golden Rule gets bandied about too often to count these days, many often forget that the maxim is inherently religious. That is, it simply would not exist were it not for religion.

After all, its a foundational maxim for all the major religious traditions of the world. Even the Wikipedia entry states as much as does the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:

All known world religions address the nature of good and evil and commend ways of achieving human well-beingthere is a substantial overlap between many of these conceptions of the good as witnessed by the commending of the Golden Rule.

Heres a key proviso in relation to the Golden Rule though. It only makes sense in a decidedly religious context. Religious faith not only provides a foundation for the Golden Rule but also guideposts. A sense of wholesome direction and discipline are established.

Bereft of the necessary religious foundations, tolerance and compassion mutate into vacuous pity and a complete disregard for boundaries. Almost anything is allowed. We are reduced to bestial impulses. Wanton hedonism emerges alongside blinding narcissism under very deviant definitions of tolerance and compassion.

Tolerance, in particular, warps into anything goes and youre not allowed to criticize it. This is evident among progressives now more than ever and, sadly, in America at large today.

Unlike religious faith, when one finally decides to peer behind the curtain of progressive claims to such virtues, one finds that no moral foundation whatsoever exists. Their ideas are rooted in nihilism and narcissism. At best, they draw from comic books, films and television shows. These have formed a hopelessly insular and circular narrative for them ad nauseam.

For example, the Star Wars universe has become a moral guidepost for many progressives. Im not kidding. Last I checked though, George Lucas is not some grand harbinger of wisdom.

In fact, the very first Star Wars trilogy alongside pretty much the entire genre of fantasy draws from J.R.R. Tolkien and his seminal classic, The Lord of The Rings. Heres a fun fact for progressives: Tolkien was very much a devout Catholic and says as much in his own words regarding his work:

TheLord of the Ringsis of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work.

Tolerance and compassion remain fundamentally religious values. Sadly, progressives have not only abandoned religious wisdom wisdom that has remained for centuries upon centuries they generally malign the very notion of religious faith unless it involves some silly New Age dreck from the likes of Ram Dass, Marianne Williamson, or Osho and his fleet of Rolls Royces. Its no wonder that such high virtues have devolved into self-serving progressive virtue-signaling.

Link:

KHAN: Tolerance And Compassion Are Inherently Religious Values, Not Progressive Ones - The Daily Wire

Audrey Hepburn was a true icon whose fame isnt just restricted to her onscreen work. Not only was she a great Hollywood actress, who was the first one to win Golden Globe, an Academy Award and a BAFTA for a single performance. She was a great philanthropist as well. From the 1980s until her death in 1993, Hepburn served as an active ambassador for UNICEF, visiting children all around the world and campaigning on their behalf. But that wasn't all. She was also notoriously famous for her slim figure and was often accused of eating disorders but that wasnt the case.

The son of Audrey Hepburn, the Breakfast At Tiffany's star, Luca Dotti, revealed his mother's beauty and slimming secrets in a new book Audrey At Home, Memories Of My Mothers Kitchen. Dotti's book details her life and includes recipes for her favourite foods. 'People think because she was skinny that she had an eating disorder, but it's not true. She loved Italian food and pasta. She ate a lot of grains, not a lot of meat, and a little bit of everything,' Dotti said.

Audrey Hepburn

Luca Dotti explained that Hepburn's golden rule was, 'detox once a month and never skip breakfast' and that his mother would have what one might call a detox day about once a month. She usually scheduled these days after long plane journeys. On the detoxing occasions, Hepburn switched out her usual toast and jam breakfast for plain yogurt and grated apple, followed with lots of fruit and vegetables and plenty of water.

Forget the 5:2 diet, Hepburn was clearly ahead of her times by religiously following the 30:1 approach. Let us get to know the benefits of detox once a month that Audrey was accustomed to.

Detoxing ones body is fast becoming a new trend in the world of fitness. Although the word is shrouded with a lot of confusion, you cannot ignore the health benefits detoxification has. So what exactly is Detox and why it is so important? Detoxing aims to help the body rid itself of toxins. The kind of lifestyle we lead today with high levels of pollution, our body seems to be getting more susceptible to all sorts of toxins. The human body has many natural pathways to allow detoxification through the liver, sweat, and through the excretory system.

These toxins can lead to harmful metabolical, reproductive and mental health effects. In serious cases, these toxins can also lead to cancerous consequences.

The reason why Detox has become quite the buzzword these days. The benefits are immense and you will be convinced to detox by knowing its multiple benefits.

Helps in losing weight naturally

Improves digestion and clean gut

Improves liver function

Reduces inflammation

Improves skin

Boosts immunity

Keeps you energetic

Better heart functioning

Benefits Of Adding Apples And Yogurt During Detox Day:

Apart from being rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals, apples are also rich in phytochemicals and pectin, which all help in detox. Pectin flushes out food additives and metals in our body. The acids in apple (malic and tartaric) helps in the digestion process. Apples are best eaten raw and if consumed with the skin are a good source of vitamin C and fiber. Organic apples have higher antioxidants than those apples that are conventional.

Yogurt is the superfood that's not only good for your stomach but it is also an excellent detox food that helps the liver to rid the body of toxins. Include yogurt in your daily diet and you'll be able to see the difference in your health. And to keep your healthy bacteria fed and happy, include plenty of prebiotic-rich eats in your diet, such as bananas and berries which, conveniently, pair well with plain yogurt!

By detoxing your body you help the vital organs cleanse themselves of the toxins, and enable the liver to function appropriately in excreting them. See while the buzzword Detox is getting quite the reputation, but science has not yet proven that any special diet or using products(laxatives or diuretics)can aid in the detoxifying body.

See the article here:

Audrey Hepburn Golden Rule Was Detox Once A Month And Never Skip Breakfast - Masala.com

By Michelle KeyPublisher

Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council recognized Lamar Baker as the Opelika Police Officer of the 4th Quarter during last weeks city council meeting. Also during the meeting, Opelika firefighter Chuck Riddle was named Firefighter of the Year. Fuller also read a proclamation honoring the community clean-up efforts in Ward 2. Councilwoman Tiffany Gibson-Pitts and Golden Rule Lodge #11 members Darryl Mitchel, Derric Baker and Demarcie Whatley were present to accept the proclamation on the communitys behalf.Michael King was also recognized in the proclamation, posthumously for his service to Ward 2. Michael was kind, loyal and committed to make sure that Ward 2 was clean, Fuller read. King passed away in November 2018. Also during the meeting, the council: approved a request 2019 Victorian Front Porch Tour for street closures during the event approved a request from Mama Mocha Coffee for a street closure for the Longest Table Event denied a revised request from Opelika Main Street for Christmas in a Railroad Town pertaining to the times of the road closure for 8th Street approved the Tru Blu Sports Bar request for a lounge retail liquor class I and an on-premise beer license held public hearings and subsequently voted to approve the weed abatements on the following properties:

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Opelika City Council recognizes Lamar Baker as 'Officer of the Quarter', issues a proclamation thanking community members for cleanup efforts in Ward...

As if we lawyers needed one more word to be spoken or written about civility among us, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers-Los Angeles devoted its entire summer 2019 issue to, what else, civility or the lack thereof. The very fact that ABTL-LA decided that it needed to take on the issue and devote an entire issue means that civility is still a long way away, at least in ABTL-LAs perception, and that is a perception shared by many.

It seems that the problem is not so much in court, where lawyers, fearing judicial wrath, can and do stifle themselves to be civil, its the out-of-court shenanigans that create the most problems. No one likes to tattle on others. Well, maybe some do, but the vast majority of lawyers prefer to solve problems without resorting to nasty, intemperate tactics. Raise your hand if youre like me and weary of what seems to be constant yammering about the lack of civility. Didnt anyone learn the Golden Rule all the years ago? I guess not, or if so, its been lost in the fog of war, so to speak.

Exhibit A for an example of the most reprehensible incivility comes, I am embarrassed to say, from California, in fact, from SoCal, in fact from the Westside. If I hadnt read the post and then the court filings, I wouldnt have believed it, but there it all is in black and white.

Read Staci Zaretskys post and tell me at what point plaintiffs counsel may have crossed the line, which he admitted in his response to defense counsels ex parte application. Crossed the line? Please. The attorney also says that the remarks were in the context of confidential settlement negotiations. He also claims that he may have used some inappropriate language out of frustration and anger. I dont think that there is anything confidential in such language, nor should there be, and I cant imagine what situation would ever justify some inappropriate language as that set forth in the defendants ex parte application.

So, although plaintiffs counsel has apologized, I wonder whether the apology was really that, or rather an apology because he was caught using such language. Remember the admonition that every smart lawyer takes to heart: write every email as if it could wind up on the front page of a newspaper, a website, whatever. This series of emails did wind up in the courts record. The Twitterverse has also weighed in.

Does anyone think that a mandatory ethics course on civility would be the way to go? Maybe, but again, You can lead a horse to water .

And that leads me back to the ABTL-LA summer issue on civility. Most of the articles are preaching to the choir, that its not this membership that needs a refresher course in civility. However, one article gave me pause as I had not thought about gender equality as part of the civility issue. Silly me.

Two female judges, Justice Lee Edmon, Presiding Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division 3 and Judge Samantha Jessner, Supervising Judge of the Civil Division of the Los Angeles Superior Court, posit that, in the context of civility, gender discrimination is not its own separate animal. The authors see it as a subsection of the broader civility issue. Im not sure I agree.

In dinosaur days, I dont recall that incivility was as rampant as it is today. Yes, you had the big-mouth jerks and those know-it-alls, who really didnt know it all, but I thought there was at least a veneer of politeness and respect. It may have been a particularly thin veneer, but at least there was a veneer between civilization and primal darkness. (Anyone who has read Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness will understand the reference.) It may have been my obliviousness as a young lawyer practicing in a small lawyer community where everybody knew everyones name. However, sex discrimination existed.

It wasnt until 2014 that the State Bar of California found it necessary to add language about civility to the attorneys oath. If the State Bar had thought that was an issue years ago, I think that the civility language in the oath would have been added years ago.

The legal community was much smaller years ago, and so word got around about lawyer jerks. We didnt need social media to learn about reputations, and that was true for lawyers and judges. The authors conclude that sexism is alive and well in our profession (no argument there) and that sexism finds its expression in incivility.

How do we promote civility in a culture these days that seems to worship at the altar of incivility? What examples can we use to lead by example, rather than by excrement? We can talk up civility all we want, but until there are some consequences to incivility, I dont think anything will change. Its all well and good to talk about the need and desire for civility, but, right now, there arent a lot of role models to point to.

I think the heavy hammer of sanctions is one tool to start impressing upon errant lawyers that there are monetary consequences, and not just financial wrist-slaps, for being a jerk (or whatever other noun you choose). But judges have to be willing to do that. Are they?

Plaintiffs counsel, Christopher Hook, was admitted to the California Bar in 2008. With more than a decade of practice, he should have known better. Practicing law is definitely not a bowl of cherries, but it certainly isnt simply a bowl of dicks.

Jill Switzer has been an active member of the State Bar of California for over 40 years. She remembers practicing law in a kinder, gentler time. Shes had a diverse legal career, including stints as a deputy district attorney, a solo practice, and several senior in-house gigs. She now mediates full-time, which gives her the opportunity to see dinosaurs, millennials, and those in-between interact its not always civil. You can reach her by email at oldladylawyer@gmail.com.

See the rest here:

And What Will You Eat In Settlement Negotiations? - Above the Law

Despite enduring more trials and tribulations than most of us will experience in our entire lifetime, Texas youngster Jonah insists on being relentlessly optimistic.

The spirited 12-year-old made quite the impression on local Dallas TV station WFAA-TV when he appeared their Wednesdays Child segment in a full three-piece suit. The networks short features aim to highlight the stories of foster children who are seeking after an adoptive home.

I am a person who likes to uplift people, Jonah told the station. The golden rule is treat somebody the way you would like to be treated.'

Mature beyond his years, the inspiring young man said he desired to have knowledge and wisdom, and opened up about how his faith in God has helped him get through the suffering of his past.

Hes brought me through many, many things. As far as abuse before I came into CPS.. hes brought me through a lot, overall, he said.

As for how he has coped with four years in foster care, Jonah said he adopts a ruthlessly positive mindset that is rooted in his Christian faith.

Waking me up this morning, you know what I mean? Starting me on my way, Im in my right mind, I know what Im doing, I know who I am, and Im proud of the person that I am, he said.

And hes no slouch in the classroom, either. I am an honor roll student, Jonah explained. When Im in school, I focus. I got an award last year for being a multi-tasker.

As for finding a forever home, the astonishingly poised young man is assured that the right family is just around the corner.

The reason why I want to be adopted is because I know theres a family out there that fits me in the best possible way that they can, he said.

Closing out the segment, the reporter commended Jonah to prospective families and wished him well for the future.

No, you dont meet a kid like this every day, she narrated, which is why the parents who adopt him will be one lucky family.

Jonah, may they be your fiercest protectors and your never-ending source of strength.

For more information on Jonah, WFAA urged people to send all approved home studies to La Queena Warren at [emailprotected], if youre already licensed.

What a guy!

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Hopeful 12-Year-Old Foster Child Trusting God to Find Him a Forever Home: 'I Know There's a Family Out There' - Faithwire

Photo: Eduard Skorov (iStock), Graphic: Nicole Antonuccio

Hey Salty! I like to think of myself as a decent restaurant patron who is polite, not too needy, and tips well. I get really good service at the places I frequent and they seem really happy to see me and my wife.

I turn 50 this month and like scotch. I found a place nearby that has a special 40-year-old VERY rare bottle thats $248 a pour. I plan to get some to reward myself for half a century on this lovely blue rock of ours, and was wondering how much to tip.

If I was getting a special scotch in the $20-$30 a pour range, Id probably tip $5 for each and a few bucks for a less expensive one. Given the percentages, a 20% tip on my special birthday pour is $50. Since Im willing to pay $248 for a single drink, the $50 isnt going to cause me any financial harm, but Im still frugal and think that $50 might be a bit much to tip on fairly low effort (pretty much the same as a $10 scotch, really, and that would be a few bucks tip at most).

This special one-time blow to my wallet will probably be accompanied by dinner, appetizers, a few more drinks, etc. I expect around a $400 tab for my wife and me ($150 food, the rest my ridiculous scotch) which might muddle things if I tip a little less than the 20% or 25% on the full check because over half the tab is a single drink. I dont mind being a little generous, but its MY birthday, not a random servers day to hit the tip lottery. Or is it?

Im probably over-analyzing this, but wanted your opinion on how much to tip for my once-in-a-lifetime silly expensive drink.

Getting Old

Dear Cryptkeeper,

Let me be the first to wish you a happy birthday. Youre aging like a fine scotch yourself, Im sure.

It sounds like you have quite the evening planned with a very specific drink order in mind. (Cheers.) It also sounds like youve thought a lot about how those plans will factor in the tip. In fact, I think youve thought about it all too much. Youve thought yourself in circles when theres really only one simple, golden rule to follow: leave a 20% tip. A 20% tip is standard, its perfectly polite, and for someone like you, whos specifically wondering how to navigate a tipping situation, its the magic number that will never do you wrong.

To prove it, lets dive into the numbers youre throwing around here (hey, if you can over-analyze, so can I). If youre accustomed to tipping $5 for a special scotch in the $20-30 a pour range, then what youre saying is youre accustomed to paying roughly a 20% tip. If you tip a few bucks for a less expensive one, youre adjusting your tip to be roughly 20% of the cost of your order. If your $10 scotch warrants a few bucks tip at most, then guess what? Youre probably leaving a 20% tip, maybe even a little more, on a $10 drink. Ta-da! The golden rule strikes again.

I know, pumpkin, I know: its a harder percentage to stomach when the sales total starts creeping up. Once the dessert plates are cleared, you and your wife (who Im hoping has an equally nice birthday celebration planned for herself) stand to owe a tip that could have bought entrees for a family of four. Its not nothing! But consider these the trappings of ordering what sounds like one hell of a special drink.

Heres another reason not to skimp: Servers at many restaurants tip out their bartenders and food runners based on a percentage of sales. Translation: the total dollar amount of the bill is what dictates the percentage passed along to the runner who brought your tray of food and the bartender who poured your drink. You might decide what percentage of tip to leave on the total bill, but the percentage that the server is expected to pass along to these supporting cast members of your dining experience holds steady. So when you skimp on the tip, it hurts your server more than you might think. (And if youre thinking, Okay then, Ill just order this drink directly from the bartender on a separate tab before dinner, youll still have this tipping dilemma, because a bartender has to divvy up tips with the bar-back. Theres no cheating your way out of the golden rule, honey.)

Youve made the decision to go all-out for your birthday, and youve made the calculation that you can afford it. So when it comes to that frugal nature of yours, just find outlets for it everywhere besides your fancy meal. That bill, plus tip, is someones wages, even if the bulk of its cost was served from a shot glass.

I hope you two lovebirds have a great night. And following the golden rule ensures your server will have one, too.

Read more from the original source:

Ask The Salty Waitress: My drink is hundreds of dollars. Must I tip 20%? - The Takeout

The word conservative is doing a lot of unspoken work in this story. It serves, among other things, as both an accusation and a defiant confession.

North Dakota county may become USs 1st to bar new refugees

If they vote to bar refugees, as expected, Burleigh County home to about 95,000 people and the capital city of Bismarck could become the first local government to do so since President Donald Trumpissued an executive ordermaking it possible.

Trumps executive order this fall came as he had already proposed cutting the number of refugees next year to the lowest level since Congress passed the Refugee Act of 1980. He declared that refugees should be resettled only in places where the state and local governments counties gave consent. Since then, many governors and counties around the country have declared that they would continue taking refugees.

Republican Gov. Doug Burgum said last month that North Dakotawould continue accepting refugeeswhere local jurisdictions agreed, and his spokesman said the governor saw it as a local decision. Soon after, Cass and Grand Forks counties, which are home to the states largest city, Fargo, and third-largest city, Grand Forks, respectively, declared they would continue taking refugees. Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said refugees were needed to boost the citys economy, and that 90% were fully employed within three months of resettling in his city.

But the idea was quickly opposed in more conservative Burleigh County. Among the opponents was Republican state Rep. Rick Becker, of Bismarck, an ultraconservative who took to social media to criticize the program as unrestrained and a possible drain on social service programs, schools and law enforcement.

Burleigh County is likely to bar refugees because Burleigh County is conservative. The most outspoken opponent to permitting refuge for those fleeing violence and persecution is a local Republican state representative who is ultraconservative.

We are presented with an identity: conservative equals inhospitable to outsiders and those in need. Rick Becker is opposed to accepting refugees because he is a conservative. Rick Becker is conservative because he opposes accepting refugees.

AP reporter James MacPherson attempts to employ the word conservative as a dispassionate, disinterested descriptor a label that strives for accuracy, not for evaluation. This is in part because the article is discussing Republicans, and the generally agreed-upon consensus view is that Republicans are the conservative party in America. This is, in fact, how the Burleigh County Republicans describe themselves, so MacPhersons use of conservative is also deferential allowing those he discusses to describe themselves as they see fit.

But despite all of that despite the fact that this use of conservative here is customary, chosen, and embraced by the subjects of the article it describes here the use of the term here is still likely to be regarded by some as judgmental, pejorative, or biased. Thats due to the unavoidable substance of the article, which reports the facts of the matter, namely that in Burleigh County, North Dakota, conservatives seek to deny refuge to those in need.

Thats simply a blandly accurate description of what is happening. That this will strike many readers including many self-identified conservatives as pejorative or judgmental has nothing to do with MacPhersons or my predisposition toward these self-declared conservatives. Nor does it have anything to do with MacPhersons or my evaluation of their behavior.

I will happily add my opinion and evaluation to that simple description: Conservatives in Burleigh County seek to deny refuge to those in need and in my opinion that is a shitty, sinful, blasphemously evil thing to do.

But it doesnt matter whether or not I add that, or even whether or not I think that. What matters is that everyone thinks that including the ultra-conservative Rep. Rick Becker, his fellow anti-refugee Republicans in Burleigh County, and all of their fellow anti-refugee Republicans across America. I dont have to tell you or them that I think this because it is what everyone recognizes to be the case. Banning refugees is just shitty behavior an ignorant, selfish, dishonest, indecent violation of the Golden Rule.

This creates an uncomfortable situation for poor Rick Becker. He is defiantly proud of his self-chosen identity as a conservative. And he is adamant that being a conservative entails denying refuge to people in need. If you were to accuse him of going soft on his proposed refugee ban, he would vehemently deny that was the case, insisting that no one takes a harder line against providing refuge to refugees than he does. He will not abide the suggestion that anyone could possibly be to the right of him on this point, or that anyone else might be more conservative than he is when it comes to the conservative belief that refugees should be turned away.

And yet, at the same time, he is inescapably aware that his position is utterly gross and shameful. This is what leads him to defend that position as unwaveringly conservative rather than attempting the impossible task of defending it as good or as wise or truthful or beautiful.

Perhaps Im overstating the matter when I say that even Rick Becker and the rest of the anti-refugee Republicans of Burleigh County agree that banning refugees is shameful, sinful, ugly and evil. Maybe they dont agree with that at all. Maybe they think its good and right and just to ban refugees.

But I dont buy that, because look what happens even if we follow MacPhersons example and attempt to be as neutral as possible, stating only the stark facts of the matter and refraining from any evaluation or judgment of those facts. We could say:

1. People who describe and identify themselves as conservatives seek to ban refugees in Burleigh County, North Dakota; and

2. These same self-described conservatives insist that banning refugees from Burleigh County is the conservative thing to do.

3. Banning refugees is a shitty thing to do.

Folks like Rick Becker will try to distance and insulate themselves from that recognition by attributing that third fact to the mere opinion of specific others. Points 1 and 2 are an attack on conservatives, they will say, because most liberals think that banning refugees is a shitty thing to do.

And thats not wrong. Most liberals do think that. Because most liberals are humans and most humans think that.Most conservatives are also humans, and so most conservatives think that too.

We humans all of us, liberal, conservative, whatever tell stories about this very thing. In some of these human stories people offer refuge to others who are fleeing violence, disaster, or destruction. In other of these human stories, people refuse to offer such refuge. We humans can tell either version of that story. But what we cannot and do not ever do is tell a story in which those who refuse to offer refuge are the Good Guys.

It is impossible to tell such a story, or to hear it, or to imagine it. By definition because that is what the Good Guys means.

Rick Becker knows this. Thats why hes so defensive about proudly defending the indefensible.

Becker is quite aware that the policy hes proposing looks really bad:

This isnt about skin color, said Becker, a plastic surgeon and former gubernatorial candidate. In the past, nobody had any say whatsoever. Now we have something that should have been in place decades ago.

Now, if they want to accept them, they can, and if they dont want to they shouldnt.

So this isnt about skin color, Becker says, as everyone seems to say when theyre doing something explicitly about skin color. Becker says, rather, this is about states rights. The past isnt dead. It isnt even etc.

Im still unclear as to what it would even mean for Burleigh County to withhold its official consent for the resettlement of refugees there. Trumps executive order dreamed up by his white supremacist senior legislative aide, Stephen Miller seems illegal or unenforceable or, at best, simply beside the point. When the conservative fundamentalist Baptist church I grew up in signed up to resettle a refugee family of Boat People back in the early 1980s, we didnt seek or require the consent of Union County, N.J. We were just a group of citizens acting as such. The county government had no role, no jurisdiction, no say, and no involvement in any of that.

In providing refuge for that family, we were also a local church acting as such. Had our local county government imagined they had any legal right to muck about with our doing that, wed have taken them to court and every lawyer they tried to hire against us wouldve advised them to back off, drop the matter, and apologize to avoid losing a slam-dunk First Amendment case.

I note that Burleigh County, North Dakota, is home to many local churches that belong to traditions with a long history of welcoming refugees as an intrinsic expression and requirement of their faith. There are dozens of Lutheran congregations there that have long supported the work of Church World Service. There are local Catholic parishes that have long contributed to support refugee resettlement through the UCCB and Catholic Charities. There are scads of nondenominational white evangelical congregations that have, up until recently at least, wholeheartedly supported the refugee resettlement work of World Relief. And thats just the Christians there are also at least three synagogues in Bismarck, and Americas Jewish congregations have always way outperformed us American Christians when it comes to offering refuge to those in need.

I dont know, specifically, if any of these many many religious congregations in Burleigh County are directly involved in helping to resettle refugees in their community, but the odds are that at least some of them are or plan to be. Does the Burleigh County government imagine it has the authority to stop them by denying them its consent? Does the Republican-controlled Burleigh County government imagine that it has any hope of defending itself against the lawsuit that these congregations are likely to bring?

Yes, I realize Trump has had three years to cram hundreds of Federalist Society ideologues onto the courts, and that those bozos do not recognize religious liberty as a constitutional right, only as a political slogan having to do with letting bakeries refuse to sell baked goods or allowing pharmacists to refuse to sell Monistat because they pretend to believe its abortion cream. But even so, theres no legal basis for a county government barring local congregations from practicing their faith in the way that American congregations have done for more than a century.

The idea of a local government withholding its consent for refugee resettlement just seems confused. This is not an activity that has ever required that governments consent.

But now, according to Trumps strange executive order, were told that government consent will be required even for activities in which that government has no role or involvement. Religious groups who seek to continue doing that which religious groups have been doing will first need to seek and secure the governments permission.

There are many words that might be used to describe that state of affairs, but conservative really shouldnt be one of them.

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North Dakota conservatives seek to deny refuge to those in need - Patheos

We had such great attendance as everyone gathered to worship at Mill Creek Baptist Church Sunday. Doug Cory greeted the congregation and special prayers were requested for Kevin Sherman, Alesia Parish, Kim LeeMasters, Polly Ritter, Cleta Lackey, Gene Hall, Barbara's friend, Marlene's brother, Wayne and Becky Johnson and unspoken. In announcements, we will deliver gifts to the children on Friday at noon. We are also busy working on our SWC Christmas parade entry, "The King Is Coming." Our annual Christmas program directed by Terry Lett will be held Sunday, Dec. 22, during the morning worship service.

Janet Chaney gave the devotional, "What You Do With Your Time." She shared a story about a man's life and the box that contained a pocket watch representing time, the most valuable thing in his life. Time is especially important to many of us, especially during this busy time of the year. We must always remember to trust in God's time.

Mitchell Lett and Tyrel Lett served as ushers and collected the offertory as Susan Cory played "Silent Night." Congregational hymns included Christmas carols led by Karen Gardner.

Sunday's message concluded the sermon series on emotions and feelings. Scripture was Matthew 5:23-24 from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says, "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

The title of Sunday's message was "Hung in offense." Our pastor, Brother Mark Hall began by saying that, no matter how long you have been a Christian, the devil always has one last weapon that he uses to get to us and that is playing on our emotions and feelings. We must always be on our guard.

Brother Mark talked about crossing a fence and getting hung up on barbwire. "Getting hung up in a fence is like getting hung up in offense. Just like crossing fences, we seem to get hung up in offense more and more the older we get. When offense becomes a fence, you can get hung up in offense the same as you can a fence and not reach your blessings on the other side. When we get hung up in a fence, we can stay there or get out.

When you come to the altar to meet with God, you are coming to make an exchange. You come and leave with a blessing. But when you get hung up in offense, you go away with nothing. Is it worse to be the offender or to be the offended? Nothing will stunt spiritual growth in life and church more. The offended get hung up in offense and can't maintain happiness for any time and share no blessings or praise. Being hung in offense usually means sharing pain, always having something wrong and being critical of everything.

The hypocritical are always hypercritical. It is always someone else's fault. The offended believe in the Golden Rule in reverse. "Do for me what I never bothered to do for you." If you really get hung up on offense, you become totally oblivious to your status and then you just become angry. Brother Mark read Proverbs 19:11, "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression." Brother Mark said, "When we become offended by someone, we have been guilty of the same thing."

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 says, "Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others." Brother Mark asked, "Why is it that everyone else's mistakes seem worse than our own? We do it ourselves, but don't stop to remember that when we talk about someone else. When we do that, we rob ourselves of blessings, peace, joy, contentment and mostly our fellowship with God."

Brother Mark again referred to Matthew 5:23-24 and asked, "How do we reconcile with our brother? We treat them like a brother again. When you do that, it becomes easy to forgive them and we forget the offense. It is hard to take offense to someone that you love."

In Luke 23:34, even when Jesus is being crucified, He says, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Brother Mark said, "Jesus did that because of His ultimate love for us. He forgave them."

In closing, Brother Mark told us that ultimately, we know who the judge is and He is justified. "When you are willing to have that Christ-like character, the better we come to understand Jesus Christ and the less time we spend hung up in offense. When you are hung up in offense and bring it to the altar, the blessings will flow."

Our hymn of invitation was "Have Thine Own Way, Lord," and Wayne Holly gave the benediction.

We invite you to worship with us during the Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Everyone is welcome at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and morning service at 11 a.m. Mill Creek Baptist Church is located 3 miles east of Noel or 8 miles west of I49, just off Highway 90, on Upper Mill Creek Road.

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RELIGION: Learn to Forgive and Forget - Mdcp.nwaonline.com

By Melissa Reddy

Why dont we educate him? Not long after those words rolled out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaers mouth at the Etihad in the aftermath of an alleged racist incident during the Manchester derby on Saturday night, Anthony Burke provided a pretty strong answer in a series of Facebook posts.

The 41-year-old was caught on camera engaging in alleged monkey gestures and alleged noises towards Manchester Uniteds Fred and Jesse Lingard as they prepped for a corner. When confronted about it, SHOCK, HORROR!, he deflected rather than acknowledging the seriousness of the alleged incident. Listen, Im only [a] racist c*** because I had a screen shot that made me look it, was the Manchester City fans opening defence on the social media platform. I aint racist, watch the match, half of it was with me putting my hands in my pants.

For the hat-trick and remember the golden rule, you cant be racist if you know people of colour his ex-partner told a national newspaper: This is not like him his family are black.

Ding, ding, ding. So, why dont we educate the civil engineering manager arrested on Sunday by Greater Manchester Police? Because you cannot teach someone who doesnt see an issue in their actions, especially not if it is to borrow Troy Deeneys description from a similarly revolting episode a grown-ass man. Why would you need to school a father and ex-soldier, who has lived for just over four decades, on the ills of dehumanising people based on the colour of their skin? How does it actually work? Education is undoubtedly a powerful tool to help change the world, but its a waste on those who ultimately do not want to widen their outlook, on those who would rather argue than accept they are wrong if and when they are told why.

Before Burkes brainlessness came Italian publication Corriere dello Sports prolonged brain fart.

Previewing the Serie A fixture between Inter Milan and Roma last Thursday, their front page featured images of former Manchester United teammates Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling now facing off as opponents sandwiched by a headline that screamed: Black Friday. The paper had meant well but executed their message horrifically, which correctly received mass criticism.

Smalling called the framing wrong and highly insensitive, while Lukaku branded it one of the dumbest headlines Ive ever seen in my career.

Corriere dello Sport, however, defended the headline as innocent, saying it was only praising diversity and that it had been transformed into poison by those who have poison inside. Roma and Inters rivals AC Milan reacted by opting to ban the Italian daily from their training facilities for the rest of the year, as well as denying them access to players for media activities during this period.

Instead of Corriere dello Sport admitting they had erred, that the headline was utterly inappropriate before apologising unreservedly, they continued to blindly and worryingly go on the offensive.

The claim was they were being lynched NOTHING TO SEE HERE. NO PROBLEM WITH THAT CHOICE OF WORD WHATSOEVER and spotlighted all the occasions they had called out racism. [Note to Corriere dello Sport, that is a responsibility and a necessity, not some noble act.]

If that still wasnt enough, there was another rebuttal from the paper titled the black and the false, where they cried lets not give into to hypocrisy.

This is definitely not the hill to die on. Own it, apologise, do better. Meanwhile, if youre nodding along, but refused to accept that the song about the size of Lukakus penis perpetuates a racial stereotype, that photoshopping Divock Origis face onto a poster featuring a black man largely endowed is not only banter or a compliment and that there can never be equality in comparing black caricatures born out of a history of oppression and white ones, you are part of the problem. As is the case if you were among the pack seething that Gary Neville dared pull up a Prime Minister, who has referred to African people as piccaninnies with watermelon smiles and compared Muslim women who wear burqas to letter boxes, for fuelling the issue.

Furthermore, if racism is your platform for point-scoring, bringing up incidents from rival clubs as though this is all a game of Top Trumps, youre and Im going to phrase this as nicely as possible quite pathetic. You cant fix stupid and its scary to think just how much of the population are sat fist-pumping in the knowledge there are no cameras ready to record their discrimination that lurks beneath or when it bubbles to the surface.

Continued here:

Educating racists is a waste of time - Economic Times

WASHINGTON Rancor in politics, especially these days, may be the norm, but a nationwide effort is underway to remind people that civility in political discussions is a virtue.

The Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is introducing the Civilize It campaign Nov. 3 at parishes around the country. It stresses that respectful dialogue rather than name-calling and nasty barbs can occur among people with differing political views.

In part, this campaign is really in response to the vitriol that we see in public discourse on both sides of the aisle, said Jill Rauh, director of education and outreach in the department.

Civility is something that we, at least in theory, should all agree on, she told Catholic News Service. Catholics dont always come down on the same side in terms of where they discern to be voting. But everyone should agree that we can be modeling love for neighbor and we can be modeling the example of Christ.

The date of the programs introduction is significant because it is precisely one year from the 2020 presidential election.

The idea for Civilize It originated in the Social Action Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2016. Its success in southwest Ohio caught the attention of the USCCB, which this year decided that the model, with a few tweaks, could be introduced nationwide.

Rauh said about a dozen dioceses were expected to move quickly to adopt the campaign starting at Masses Nov. 2 and 3 with others expected to follow during the next several months.

The effort also will incorporate the U.S. bishops quadrennial document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. The document remains unchanged this year, but the bishops will vote on a letter and four short video scripts to supplement it during their annual fall assembly in Baltimore Nov. 11-13.

Andrew Musgrave, director of the Cincinnati Archdioceses Social Action Office, said he planned to alert parishes that the program is continuing for the next year. He said the effort there will build on the success of the program in 2016, which saw parishioners dozens of parishes becoming involved.

The campaigns cornerstone is a three-part pledge that individuals can take to respect civility, to root political views in the Gospel and a well-formed conscience, and to encounter others with compassion.

Personal reflection is a significant component of the program. Resources developed by Rauhs office will help guide participants in the tradition of an examination of conscience so they can better understand how they can respond to people with whom they disagree.

Other resources include a pastoral aid that includes homily guides for Masses Nov. 2-3, promotional materials for use in parishes and discussion groups, and examples of social media messaging.

The campaign is a way the church can be an example, Rauh said. We can bring our moral voice to the public square.

Civilize It also is part of a wider campaign known as Golden Rule 2020 being undertaken by the National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona starting Nov. 3.

Cheryl Graeve, national organizer for the institute, said the campaigns title is rooted in the widely held value among religious and non-religious people and Christians and non-Christians of treating another person as you expect to be treated.

Were increasingly concerned about the lessening of trust between people and government and for helping strengthen our democracy, she said.

The program emphasizes the development of personal behavior to soften the angry rhetoric and harsh language that can emerge in any discussion about politics, explained Theo Brown, director of faith-based programs at the institute.

We think the Golden Rule is a practical strategy because really it is a transformational thing. It can help transform that hostile behavior. Were trying to break the cycle (of incivility). Its very difficult, Brown said.

The institute is primarily working with Christian denominations in implementing its program from its Washington office.

Among those that developed Golden Rule 2020 are the National Council of Churches, National Association of Evangelicals, Presbyterian Church USA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, American Baptist Churches USA, Mormon Women for Ethical Government and the USCCBs Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.

Graeve said that a conversation guide is being developed by the institute.

It is really meant for anybody to explore a few questions together that look at the common beliefs, how they hold the Golden Rule as a practical idea, she said.

Golden Rule 2020 encourages the fact that the foundation of our country and democracy is that a diversity of ideas is important for solutions and relationships, Graeve added. Weve got to have the will to engage in those different ideas but from a place of common respect and common listening to each other.

Editors Note: Information and resources on the Civilize It campaign is online at civilizeit.org. Information about Golden Rule 2020 is online at http://www.revivecivility.org.

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Civility in public discourse focuses on 'golden rule' - treating others as you would want to be treated - The Dialog

DALLAS, Nov. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Southwest Airlines Co.(NYSE: LUV), in partnership with Leon Logothetis, known as The Kindness Guy, shares a content series created exclusively for the airline that underscores Southwest's core values of kindness, civility, and following The Golden Rule. This five-part series follows Leon as he travels with Southwest to cities across the country, using his welcoming man-on-the-street style to meet people and learn about their travels. During every encounter, he greets each person with a simple question: "Where have you been?" This question is central to the theme of the series, inspiring a variety of responses: not only where they have visited, but also who they are, what their story is, and the kindnesses they have experienced in their travels.

This series is available to Southwest Customers on the airline's Inflight Entertainment Portal on WiFi-enabled flights through 2020. Featured as an exclusive TV Series Channel, "Where have you been?"provides inspiring stories of kindness that travelers have experienced across the globe. Additionally, "Where have you been?"is available on Southwest's YouTube channel, allowing fans to tune in even before their flight takes off.

"Southwest Employees practice civility and kindness on a daily basis through their interactions with our Customers and with each other," said Michelle Agnew, Manager of Brand Partnerships and Entertainment Public Relations for Southwest. "This new series focuses on those moments of kindness that have made a difference in people's lives. We're proud of the partnership we have with Leon, which truly centers on values we each share--following The Golden Rule and treating others with kindness."

"I am beyond excited to share the 'Where have you been?' series that includes amazing stories from my travels," said Leon Logothetis. "I've found that the more we travel, the more we experience the magic of life, and this series captures moments that have shown me how kind the world can truly be."

In San Jose, Calif., Leon encounters a traveler whose journey has led to a better understanding of humanity. Upon landing in Phoenix, a traveler who has spent time in Costa Rica shares his take on pura vida and living life to the fullest. In Washington, D.C., Leon learns from a traveler who brings his guitar on each adventure, and in Denver, a hiker shares how completing 104 miles of the Colorado Trail restored her faith in humanity. Leon's journey closes in Dallas, and as he explores the city, he hears of a man who flew on a whim to Nassau, Bahamas, with a woman and married her on the tripthe two are still married today. These heartfelt conversations reach the core of Leon's mission to inspire others to leave their comfort zones and to spread kindness in their travels and everyday lives.

Southwest first began a partnership with eternal optimist and passionate adventurer,Leon, in January 2019, through the series, "The Kindness Diaries," which followshim as he spreads his mission of kindness to unsuspecting strangers along his journey. The series showcases the travels of Leon as he embarks on a journey with no money, no food, no gas, and no place to stay. Each day he puts his trust and his fate in the hands of strangers in order to reaffirm his belief that despite what we see in the news, humans are ultimately kind. For the generosity he receives throughout his journey, he rewards good Samaritans with life-changing gifts, featured in each episode.

In season two, Leon continues his heartfelt mission to inspire, traveling from Anchorage, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina, in a vintage VW Bug, relying solely on the kindness of strangers, whom he will pay back in unexpected and inspiring ways throughout the series. Given the opportunity to extend our own kindness, Southwest plays a vital role in Leon's journey, offering to fly him from San Diego, Calif., to San Jose, Costa Rica, via Houston. Leon experiences the Hospitality of Southwest Employees first-hand as he extends his kindness mission across the country.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 49th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co.(NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 60,000 Employees to a Customer base topping 130 million passengers annually. Southwest became the nation's largest domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains that ranking based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded. In peak travel seasons, Southwest operates more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 100 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries.

Southwest coined Transfarencyto describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly freeto everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply.

Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the carrier gives back to communities across the world by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online atSouthwest Airlines or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

https://www.southwest.com

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Southwest Airlines Joins Forces With Leon Logothetis, The Kindness Guy, To Create Exclusive Series In Celebration Of World Kindness Day - PRNewswire

A voter fills out his ballot in the elections Nov. 6, 2018, at a polling station in Brooklyn. A nationwide effort is underway to remind people that civility in political discussions is a virtue. (Photo: CNS/Brendan McDermid, Reuters)

by Dennis Sadowski

WASHINGTON (CNS) Rancor in politics, especially these days, may be the norm, but a nationwide effort is underway to remind people that civility in political discussions is a virtue.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops introduced the Civilize It campaign Nov. 3 at parishes around the country. It stresses that respectful dialogue rather than name-calling and nasty barbs can occur among people with differing political views.

In part, this campaign is in response to the vitriol that we see in public discourse on both sides of the aisle, said Jill Rauh, Director of Education & Outreach in the USCCBs Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.

Civility is something that we, at least in theory, should all agree on, she told Catholic News Service. Catholics dont always come down on the same side in terms of where they discern to be voting. But everyone should agree that we can be modeling love for neighbor and the example of Christ.

The idea for Civilize It originated in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2016. Its success in southwest Ohio caught the attention of the USCCB, which decided that the model, with a few tweaks, could be introduced nationwide.

The effort also will incorporate the U.S. bishops quadrennial document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. The document remains unchanged this year, but the bishops will vote on a letter and four short video scripts to supplement it during their annual fall assembly in Baltimore Nov. 11-13.

The campaigns cornerstone is a three-part pledge that individuals can take to respect civility, to root political views in the Gospel, and to encounter others with compassion.

The campaign is a way the church can be an example, Rauh said. We can bring our moral voice to the public square.

Civilize It also is part of a wider campaign known as Golden Rule 2020 being undertaken by the National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona.

Cheryl Graeve, national organizer for the institute, said the campaigns title is rooted in the widely held value among religious and non-religious people and Christians and non-Christians of treating another person as you expect to be treated.

Were increasingly concerned about the lessening of trust between people and government and for helping strengthen our democracy, she said.

The program emphasizes the development of personal behavior to soften the angry rhetoric and harsh language that can emerge in any discussion about politics, explained Theo Brown, director of faith-based programs at the institute.

The Golden Rule can help transform that hostile behavior. Were trying to break the cycle (of incivility), Brown said.

Golden Rule 2020 encourages the fact that the foundation of our country and democracy is that a diversity of ideas is important for solutions and relationships, Graeve added. Weve got to have the will to engage in those different ideas but from a place of common respect and common listening to each other.

More:

Breaking the Cycle of Incivility - Campaign stresses why civility is important as 2020 election approaches - The Tablet Catholic Newspaper

While weve already shared a blood-soaked trailer for Game of Death ahead of its World Premiere at the 2017 SXSW Film Festival (read our review), we now have an official look at the film that resembles a horror-fueled Jumanji only covered in red.

Described as a schlocky gore-horror comedy plump with exploding heads, torrents of blood and torn apart torsos, Sebastien Landry and Laurence Baz Morais Game of Death follows a group of millennials who find themselves playing a board game where they have to kill (or be killed) to survive.

Kill or be killed is the golden rule of the Game of Death. Sucks for seven millennials who ignored that rule. Now each ones head will explode unless they kill someone. Will they turn on each other to survive, or will this sunny day be the last for the innocent people of their middle-of-nowhere town?

We now have an official poster and trailer nearly three years after Game of Death played SXSW. Unfortunately, theres still no release date.

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Trailer Plays the 'Game of Death' and Ends Up Soaked in Blood [Video] - Bloody Disgusting

Queen Elizabeth II with Anna Wintour, Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council ... [+] (BFC) and royal dressmaker Angela Kelly at Richard Quinn's runway show during London Fashion Week. Photo: Yui Mok - Pool

Sometimes, the Queen of Britain, Her Royal Majesty Elizabeth II, needs to change clothes up to five times a day in the case of big celebrations, for example. And not simply the dress shes wearing but the shoes, gloves, jewelry, medals and other accessories and, most important, her hats.

After all, the colors she chooses to wear, the feathers or the flowers in her hats and any of her ensembles have fascinated crowds around the world for decades.

Today, at 93 years old, there is no discussion in the worlds of fashion, politics or diplomacy that in her inimitable style, the queen transmits a perfect balance between glamor and majesty and that her royal garments play a key role in the function she represents, @RoyalFamily.

Queen Elizabeth II attends 'Derby Day' at Epsom Racecourse on June Photo: Max Mumby

The Queen attends the Royal Variety Performance, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. (

They give her an air of gravity, respectability and reason, all mixed with humor in half-tone, according to Frances Le Point.

The essential task of keeping that careful balance rests in the hands of Angela Kelly, the official dresser, who for more than 25 years has been in charge of choosing Her Majestys outfits, generally months in advance according to her agenda.

As a result shes developed a special relationship with the sovereign that includes among other rituals wearing the queens new shoes to soften them and avoid any royal discomfort (they share the same size).

Angela Kelly (Personal Assistant and Dress Maker of the queen in London. Photo: Max Mumby

The Queen has very little time to herself and not time to wear in her own shoes, and as we share the same shoe size it makes the most sense this way, Kelly writes.

"Madame Image" is in charge not only of fashion, but of the choice of clothes during the posing sessions for portraits and major events in the United Kingdom as well as abroad. She offers several styles of outfits to the queen, months in advance, then two fittings. Together, they choose fabrics, silks and accessories.

That and many other secrets and amusing confidences appear throughout the dressers new book, The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe.

Queen Elizabeth in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.

HRH Queen Elizabeth II during an official ceremony in t Devlin Castle on the first day of a tour of ... [+] Slovakia on 2008.

Given the strict rules and security measures that apply in the British court around the publication of books by employees or former employees of the crown, particularly after some embarrassing unauthorized publications, its an exceptional show of confidence by the monarch who granted special permission to her senior dressmaker to publish the tell-all book about their relationship.

Angela Kelly began her post in 1994 as the monarch's senior dresser before becoming her Majesty's Personal Advisor and Curator (0f The Queens Jewellery, Insignias and Wardrobe) and In-house Designer, making her the first person in history to hold the title.

Years of good and loyal service, reciprocal affection and unflinching discretion bind the Sovereign to her first collaborator, writes Le Point. The latter has access to the monarch several times a day and is one of the few collaborators to be admitted to the private apartments where the fitting takes place.

For starters, Kelly clarifies that her official title, The Queen's Dresser, is misleading since generally the queen dresses alone. It also establishes that Elizabeth II isnt interested in fashion and, given her position, doesnt go window shopping.

Equally surprising, since Queen Elizabeth is one of the most photographed people on Earth, is that she does her own makeup except once a year for her televised Christmas speech, when a professional is hired to do it.

"The only other thing left for me to do is to arrange for the makeup artist, Marilyn Widdess, to be there on the day of filming, Kelly writes. You might be surprised to know that this is the only occasion throughout the year when Her Majesty does not do her own makeup."

Getty Images

Getty Images

WIth US President Donald Trump during an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day ... [+] landings, in Portsmouth, southern England, on June 2019. Photo Daniel Leal Olivas.

Sharing never-before-seen photographs many from Angela's own private collection and charming anecdotes of their time spent together, this revealing book provides memorable insights into what it's like to work closely with The Queen, to curate her wardrobe and to discover a true and lasting connection along the way," the book's synopsis reads.

Without divulging any political information about the queens positions or any personal gossip, the book is full of authoritative, respectful and complacent tidbits like the one about the queens participation of the famous skit alongside Daniel Craig's James Bond where she even delivers a line.

In the famous video, Queen Elizabeth II in person greets Agent 007, followed closely by three royal of her corgis at Buckingham Palace. The scene was shot in secrecy before being broadcast for the opening of the 2012 London Olympics, with the famous secret agent flying to escort the queen.

"She was very amused by the idea and agreed immediately. I asked then if she would like a speaking part. Without hesitation, Her Majesty replied: 'Of course I must say something. After all, he is coming to rescue me'," Ms Kelly recalls. "I asked whether she would like to say: 'Good evening, James,' or: 'Good evening, Mr Bond,' and she chose the latter, knowing the Bond films. Within minutes, I wasdelivering the good news to [director Danny Boyle] - I think he almost fell off his chair when I said that the Queen's only stipulation was that she could deliver that iconic line: 'Good evening, Mr Bond.'"

HM Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with British actor Daniel Craig at the Royal Premiere for the ... [+] 21st Bond film 'Casino Royale'.

An actor dressed as Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Daniel Craig as James Bond are parachuted from ... [+] a helicopter over the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games in London on 2012.

Another surprising revelation in the book is that the monarch prefers a modest style, living in only six private rooms within the vast Buckingham Place, her official residence, and that only family members are the men allowed in the private rooms. She occupy her bedroom; her private sitting room; her dressing room and bathroom; the Audience Room and the Empire Room.

It still astonishes me that some former members of staff are prone to making suggestions and sharing supposed details about the Queen's private rooms, when they actually have no insight whatsoever,' Kelly writes. 'So, do bear this in mind the next time you hear any supposed details about Her Majesty's private rooms. There will always be people who will say anything for attention.'

Queen Elizabeth II arrives by carriage to Royal Ascot Day 1 on June 19, 2018. Photo Chris Jackson

Day five of Royal Ascot on June 22, 2019.

Neutrality, as with so many state decisions, is key to the royal wardrobe. Bright colors, bold without being extravagant, floral motifs highlighting the peach complexion of the queens skin and the blue of her eyes, hats that are showy but not wide to cover her face or too complex to hinder her movements.

The point is always to allow the crowd to recognize her.

There are some forbidden colors such as grey that are considered too bland. Black is reserved for mourning.

According to Kelly, the Queen's annual appearance at Royal Ascot, a much-watched affair, is not just about the competing horses as it is about the betting on the color of the monarch's hats. Learning that such a bet had been placed one year, Kelly writes that she had a meeting with the owner of Paddy Power at which we agreed that betting on the color of the Queen's hat would be closed at a certain time to avoid any cheating, but allowed people to carry on guessing and perhaps even win a bit of money."

The Queen at Royal Ascot.

Getty Images

According to the book, royal protocol is not as strict as people believe. There was a major controversy when former First Lady Michelle Obama wrapped her arm around the queen during a state visit in 2009, which many etiquette experts saw as a breach of royal protocol, although the queen returned the gesture with affection.

"In reality, it was a natural instinct for the Queen to show affection and respect for another great woman, and really there is no protocol that must be adhered to," she writes. "Contrary to what many people believe, there are no strict rules that must be followed when one is introduced to The Queen. You may wish, or not wish, to curtsey. But on the whole, most people do curtsey or bow out of respect.

"Some women tend to find that they instinctively curtsey, whereas men tend to bow, but there is no golden rule, even for the most long-standing members of the Royal Household.

"Each morning and evening, I greet Her Majesty with a curtsey, but because I see her so often, I don't repeat the gesture throughout the day unless we are out in public on Tour."

Angela Kelly entretient depuis plus de quinze ans une relation privilgie avec la reine: elle dcide de ses tenues des mois l'avance en fonction de son agenda et a cr certains rituels en sa compagnie. Ainsi, la couturire raconte comment, pour viter tout inconfort, elle porte ses chaussures avant la reine afin qu'elle s'adapte son pied. Par chance, toutes deux ont la mme pointure. Comme les mdias l'ont rapport, un employ porte les chaussures de Sa Majest pour s'assurer qu'elles sont confortables et qu'elle est prte partir... Eh oui, je suis cet employ.

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Undressing The Queen: Royal Behind-The-Scene Secrets Revealed By Her Majestys Dresser - Forbes

I recently asked my friends and family, When you think about instilling kindness in your kids, what do you mean by kindness? They had many different responses: compassion, generosity, empathy, justice, alleviating suffering. But every answer involved an underlying consideration for others, rather than acting only out of self-interest. It makes sense that this is also the definition of humane, because kindness is the most fundamental expression of what it means to be a human being.

Kindness is about seeing with your heart, explains Angela C. Santomero, author of Radical Kindness: The Life-Changing Power of Giving and Receivingand cocreator of Daniel Tigers Neighborhood. For our littlest kids, this might mean patting the back of a worried friend, waving to an elderly neighbor, or breaking a cookie in half to share with a younger brother. For older kids, kindness might be inviting a lonely classmate to join their lunch table, comforting someone whos sad or scared, or donating some of their allowance to a cause they care about.

Whatever it means to you, its important to help nurture it in your children from a young age. Making our country a kinder place may seem daunting these days, but fostering compassion in your family is entirely doable. Just focus on the considerate habits of daily life, a few concrete actions, and a little reflection thrown in for good measure. Heres how to step up and commit to raising the next generation of truly good people.

Even before your kids are old enough to act kindly, you can start talking about it. Empathy is hardwired in us from birth through whats known as the mirror-neuron system, and we intuitively feel what others feel, explains psychiatrist Kelli Harding, M.D., author of The Rabbit Effect: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier With the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness. Its why your 2-year-old may burst into tears when she sees another toddler fall at the playground, and its a perfect opportunity to articulate that experience for her: You feel sad because you care about your friend and she hurt herself.

If empathy is understanding, then compassion is acting on that understanding. Kids ability to do that develops a bit later. As a childs brain develops, he can better separate you from I, and thats when compassion forms, says Dr. Harding. Toddlers are very focused on me and mine, but you can gradually help your child think about we and us by using inclusive we language yourself, says developmental pediatrician Damon Korb, M.D. For example, you might say, What can we do today that will be fun for all of us?

When kids are 3, 4, and 5, its a good time to start having discussions about kindness, suggests Dr. Korb, and the Golden Rule is a perfect conversational launchpad. We treat other people the way we would hope to be treated ourselves, you can explain to your preschooler. You wouldnt want someone to tease you about your mosquito bites, so you shouldnt tease your cousin. Once she seems to grasp this, you can move on to the Platinum Rule, which is that we treat people the way thats best for them, even if thats different from whats best for us.

To show what that means in real life, you might say to your 5-year-old, Your brothers going to be tired after a whole day of second grade. Should we bring him a special snack? When she says, Yes! Raisins! you can remind her thats her favorite snack and encourage her to remember his. Shell feel both kind and proud to hand him a bag of cheese crackers, even though she herself is not a fan. At the beach, you can say to your kindergartner: We know you like to be buried up to your neck in sand, but your sister cries when she gets sand in her sandal. Do you think shell like getting a bucket of it dumped over her bare legs? To a child whos using the babys foot as a microphone while shouting the alphabet song, you can point out, Look at your brothers face. Does he look like hes having fun?

Cheyenne Ellis

Thinking What would that feel like? is one of the most powerful habits we can instill in our children. You cant be a compassionate person unless you have an active imaginationyou have to be able to step into someone elses shoes, says Katherine Applegate, author of award-winning childrens books, including The One and Only Ivan and Wishtree.

Pretend play is a great way for young kids to practice empathy. You could say to your child, Your doll fell down and bumped her head! What do you think we should do for her? As your kids get older, you can ask them to imagine more complicated real-life scenarios as you encounter them. I point out differences to my kids without making any judgment, so theyre able to form their own opinions, says Dr. Korb, a father of five. I might say, I wonder what it would be like to sleep outside when its cold. You can offer all sorts of similar opportunities for reflection: Imagine being a kitten that was stuck up in a tree and wasnt able to climb down. Imagine how hard it must be to get on the bus in a wheelchairand how grateful you would feel that a smart engineer invented the lift to make that possible!

Over time, this type of thinking becomes automatic, and so does a childs response to it. When she sees a kid who forgot his lunch, she knows hes hungry, and she offers to share hers. She volunteers at a soup kitchen. She writes a letter to the firehouse, thanking firefighters for rescuing kittens. She makes eye contact with people in a wheelchair, and she offers them a smile.

Reading a book together is another easy way to connect with your child and experience someone elses life that might be very different from your own. When we read, we imagine with our heart and soul and not just our brain, says Applegate. Characters in a book often share their feelings in an even deeper way than they might if they were sitting right in front of you.

When it comes to raising thoughtful kids, this is the most important thing we can do, says Dr. Harding. We cant control their behavior, but we can look for ways to demonstrate kind behavior ourselves. Fortunately, kids are eager to copy us from a young age, so you can model kindness from the time theyre babies. After all, you want your 18-month-old to imitate hugging someone whos sad, says Dr. Korb. As they get older, your kids will watch how you treat people, from subtle interactions, such as putting your phone down to make eye contact and say thank you, to more tangible acts of kindness, like inviting a lonely person to share a holiday, bringing a meal to a sick neighbor, comforting the bereaved, and donating time and money to take care of people in need.

Of course, it matters how we treat our children too. As Dr. Harding puts it, Our intuition tells us a lot about kindness. This means trusting empathy over whatever parenting shoulds are in your head. That might look like keeping your baby in your arms because she just wants to be held or like returning to the store to buy a little someone that Lion King pencil after allnot because your son is crying, although he is, but because you genuinely hadnt realized how important it was to him. Kindness also means giving your children, especially when there are siblings in the mix, a feeling of abundancethat there is enough love, praise, laughter, and attention to go around.

Its also valuable for your kids to see you being kind to yourself, says Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., author of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids. This means traditional sorts of self-care, such as getting enough sleep and seeking out support so that youre not parenting from a depleted place. But it also means giving yourself the benefit of the doubt, the same way youd offer it to anyone else. If you make a mistake, instead of berating yourself, say, Oh, well, its okaywe all make mistakes.

Cheyenne Ellis

Help your children match the somewhat abstract concept of kindness with the many concrete verbs that enact it: sharing, volunteering, giving, including, comforting, supporting, championing, compromising, listening, and noticing when someone could use helpa classmate with a math problem, a family member with a chore, an older person who needs a seat on the bus. These habits intersect with etiquette, since gracious actions like saying please and thanking the school-bus driver also help cultivate kindness and make the world a happier place. Dr. Harding calls these small practices microkindnesses and says they add up to something enormous. Your kids can always ask themselves, What can I do at this moment that could add kindness to the situation?

Ideally, we want to develop a positive vibe around the practice of kindness, rather than scolding our kids when they make inevitable mistakes. So when your kids are kind, catch them at itand reinforce their behavior: What a kind thing to do! You gave your cupcake to your sister to make her happy!

We should remind ourselves and our kids that kindness is hard sometimes, says Dr. Naumburg. It doesnt always flow out of you naturallybut that doesnt mean that youre not kind. It can be challenging to be generous with a sibling whos annoying you. It can be scary to stick up for a friend or a classmate who isnt being treated right. It can feel awkward to offer condolences to a grieving person. It can be confusing to know how to act with a person whos differently abled, either neurologically or physically.

All we can do is gently coach our kids to remember how other people might be feelingand then encourage them to take responsibility for whatever ways they might screw up, since apologizing is itself a form of kindness. Plus, the more that children get in the habit of behaving kindly, the more natural it will become. Kindness really is like a muscle, Dr. Naumburg explains. The more you practice saying kind things, the easier its going to be when its hard.

Help your children notice how it feels to be kindand how other people respond. My own teenagers still remember a time long ago when they were given free Munchkins at Dunkin Donuts because our server was so touched by their friendly politeness. Kindness doesnt only have to be altruistic, my 19-year-old son said to me recently, and hes right. You can practice it for the rewards and because it feels good.

Similarly, you want your kids to notice when people are being kind to them, which will, in turn, engender gratitude. Think of kindness and gratitude as two strands that twist together into the helix of your childs happiness. In the long run, kindness will benefit everyonethe practitioners and the recipientsin a million different ways. Thats what Santomero calls the kindness ripple effect, and it couldnt matter more.

This article originally appeared in Parents magazine's December 2019 issue as "Raise Kind People."

Link:

6 Ways to Teach Kids to Be Kind - Yahoo Lifestyle

TOKYO -- Following a challenging quarter mired with setbacks over coworking startup WeWork, SoftBank GroupChairman and CEO Masayoshi Son addressed what exactly went wrong in a closely watched earnings conference on Wednesday.

On the latest quarter

The event began in Tokyo at 4 p.m. Donning a pink tie, the entrepreneur kicked off his announcement with a blunt acknowledgment of the recent failures he has faced.

"Our results for the quarter arein tatters. We're as red as red can be. I think this was probably the biggest three-monthloss since the start of the company," Son said.

The group on Wednesday reported a 700billion yen ($6.4billion) net loss for the July-September quarter. Its investment vehicle, the Vision Fund, alone logged a 970billion yen loss.

"News media have reported that SoftBank and WeWork are at risk of bankruptcy, that SoftBank is in a quagmire, and there is some truth to that. I want to explain what happened without any making any excuses."

Son said the group's sales fell in line with trends, but the Vision Fund, which had been a key contributor to revenue, suffered a plunge. "We ended with a quarterly loss as large as our profit a year earlier, largely because of WeWork."

On WeWork's problem

"My investment judgment was poor in many ways," Son said. "I deeply regret that."

WeWork's fair value measurementdecreased to $1 billion at the end of September from $4 billion at the end of June, which heavily impacted the Vision Fund's balance sheet, hesaid.

Despite such setbacks, Son said SoftBank Group's shareholder value increased by 1.4 trillion yen to 22.4 trillion yen in July-September. "These are numbers that many people don't want to believe, but they are true."

Son blamed WeWork's narrow gross margin and high costs for the coworking startup's losses. "The number of desks continues to double, and many of the buildings are being renovated," he said.

"Once offices are open for 13months or more, they make good profit. It's a wash when they are between seven and 12 months old, and they are completely in the red until the six-month mark. Right now, about 40% [of WeWork's offices] are completely in the red," he said. "It's like we have a ton of sour green apples."

On remedies forWeWork

Son outlined a three-point plan to get WeWork back on its feet. "First, we halt the expansion of new buildings. Second, we cut costs. Third, we sell or shut down new, unprofitable operations. Generally speaking, everything outside WeWork's core operations will be cut."

Once WeWork stops adding new offices, the majority of its network will be making solid profit in about a year and a half, he said. "Time will solve the problem," he said. "Just by suspending additions, the apples ripen. Once they're ripe, they'll make money. That's all."

He said suspending additions will halve WeWork's costs. "The break-even point will move forward, and we will be able to make a V-shaped comeback. This is our rebuilding plan. SoftBankhas undertaken difficult rebuilding projects before. It will work again this time."

But the executive stressed that WeWork is ultimately a separate entity from SoftBank Group. "Our investment targets are financially independent, and we won't rescue them even if they are in the red.

"WeWork was an exception and we won't do this again," he said, joking that he did not want to anger SoftBank Group Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto. Son said he intended to keep the group's loan-to-value ratio at under 25%, and no more than 35% even in an emergency.

On future investments

In terms of screening future investments, Son said free cash flow was his most important yardstick for judging corporate value. "Even if a company doesn't have free cash flow right now, I decide whether to buy in based on discounted cash flow five or seven years into the future.

"We will learn from our mistakes on WeWork, and create solid governance standards regarding business founders," he added.

When asked if WeWork was more a real estate company than an internet company, Son acknowledged this was a fair question. "What I'm explaining today is just the basics" he said. "After we stem losses with this basic plan, I hope to introduce a more advanced planthat uses artificial intelligence to increase added value.

"We can achieve $1 billion" in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization "in four to six years," he said.

Regarding WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann, "he has both good and bad qualities," Son said. "I may have given too much weight tohis good qualities, and turned a blind eye on the negatives."

But Son also reiterated the golden rule of startup investment.

"If we are to tally up wins and losses based on earnings, we are 3 to 1. In this business, there is no such thing as being 10 tozero."

On the Vision Fund

Son addressed a question concerning his future investment strategy. "The investment period for SoftBank Vision Fund 1 has closed," he said. "Seed-round investment in Vision Fund 2has begun in a steady fashion, using our own money.

"I will refrain from making any comments at this stage, but Vision Fund 2will make a smooth start."

A question once again returned to WeWork. "Is there anyone who can act as your minder, Chairman Son?"

"We have a scary director on our group's board named Yanai-san," said Son, referring to Fast Retailing Chairman and President Tadashi Yanai, the founder of the Uniqlo clothing chain. "Lately I've become more hesitant," Son added. "We have a structure in place where I cannot act recklessly."

The next person asked about a probable date for when WeWork's parent, We Company, will go public.

"Lately, after looking at the performance of the American business chat app provider Slack Technologies, as well as Uber, I've come to believe that we should be a little more cautious when considering the date to list,"Son said. On the other hand, " there are companies that are starting to turn profits, and our orientation toward multiple listings over the next two years will not change."

Son was asked if SoftBank's investment strategy will change given how unicorns have underperformed in the stock market.

"I was asked the same question during the dawn of the internet era," he said. "Now such companies are dominating the global top 10 list in terms of market capitalization. Meanwhile, Japan's heavy industry companies have fallen off in global market values.

"The world that was once fanciful is becoming real, and things that were once real are falling apart. History repeats itself. In fact, I feel a sense of crisis at how Japan does not take on enough new challenges. The vision I have carried to this point will not be moved an inch by this partial turmoil."

On retirement

Son discussed his feelings about retirement."Starting from when I was 19, I said I would pass the baton to my executives when I'm in my 60s, and that has not changed as of today. I may feel that I want to stay on a little more when I turn 69," the 62-year-old said.

"But with the recent criticisms, business management has become so interesting I can't help myself," Son added. "I'm filled with the feeling of wishing to set up funds and chase after the artificial intelligence revolution.

"Some investors may wonder if I'll think more cautiously in light of WeWork and Uber, but there are many facets in which there won't be a change in plans,"Son said. "The scale of the second fund will be largely unchanged from the first fund."

Son touched on the investments' cash flow. "There are companies that will go public next year, the year after and five years down the road, but we are analyzing all companies based on the event that they list, and sufficient cash flow will materialize."

See original here:

'We're as red as red can be' SoftBank's Son says of earnings - Nikkei Asian Review

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 04, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worthington Industries, Inc. (WOR) today announced that Vice President and CFO Joe Hayek will present at the Baird 2019 Global Industrial Conference in Chicago on Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. CT).

Worthingtons presentation will be webcast live and available on the Companys website at http://www.WorthingtonIndustries.com/Baird2019.

About Worthington Industries Worthington Industries is a leading global diversified metals manufacturing company with 2019 fiscal year net sales of $3.8 billion. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington is North Americas premier value-added steel processor providing customers with wide ranging capabilities, products and services for a variety of markets including automotive, construction and agriculture; a global leader in manufacturing pressure cylinders for propane, refrigerant and industrial gasses and cryogenic applications, water well tanks for commercial and residential uses, CNG and LNG storage, transportation and alternative fuel tanks, oil & gas equipment, and consumer products for camping, grilling, hand torch solutions and helium balloon kits; and a manufacturer of operator cabs for heavy mobile industrial equipment; laser welded blanks for light weighting applications; automotive racking solutions; and through joint ventures, complete ceiling grid solutions; automotive tooling and stampings; and steel framing for commercial construction. Worthington employs approximately11,000 people and operates 72 facilities in 7 countries.

Founded in 1955, the Company operates under a long-standing corporate philosophy rooted in the golden rule. Earning money for its shareholders is the first corporate goal. This philosophy serves as the basis for an unwavering commitment to the customer, supplier, and shareholder, and as the Companys foundation for one of the strongest employee-employer partnerships in American industry.

Safe Harbor StatementThe company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Act"). Statements by the company which are not historical information constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Act. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those projected. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks described from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts:SONYAL.HIGGINBOTHAMVP, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AND BRAND MANAGEMENT614.438.7391|sonya.higginbotham@worthingtonindustries.com

MARCUS A. ROGIERTREASURER AND INVESTOR RELATIONS OFFICER614.840.4663 | marcus.rogier@worthingtonindustries.com

200OldWilsonBridgeRd.|Columbus,Ohio43085WorthingtonIndustries.com

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Worthington Industries to Present at Bairds 2019 Global Industrial Conference November 6, 2019 - Yahoo Finance

Don't rack up holiday debt or cause yourself needless anxiety. These tips will help you round up the money you need to tackle your incoming expenses.

Although it's too early to be wrapping presents and putting up decorative lights, before you know it, the holidays will be upon us. And if you're worried about affording them, you're no doubt in good company. Between gift-giving, entertaining, and travel, the holiday season can easily be the most expensive time of the year. If money is an issue, here are a few things you can do to acquire more of it in the coming months.

Image source: Getty Images

You may not have the time or patience to uphold a second job throughout the year -- but that doesn't mean you can't push yourself to hold one down temporarily. Working a side hustle for a couple of months could be just the thing to put enough extra cash in your pocket to cover your added holiday expenses and help you avoid nasty debt.

The good news? Many retailers need extra hands on deck during the holidays, which means there's a good chance you'll land a second gig with ease. But don't wait to apply for local seasonal positions, as business owners typically want them filled by late November at the latest.

Another thing: You don't have to sign up to work preset hours that mess with your schedule. Instead, you can start your own venture that you're able to do from home, like crafting, content writing, or web design.

You probably have things sitting in your closets that you use infrequently, or never. If you're looking for cash to cover your holiday expenses, take inventory at home and round up any items that are likely to fetch a decent sum. A rarely worn pair of designer jeans or a lightly used cell phone could be somebody else's treasure.

Chances are that you're sitting on at least a few gift cards from the previous holiday season that you've yet to use. If that's the case, why not trade them in for cash? Sites like Cardpool allow you to swap cards for cash, albeit at a discount, so you won't quite get the full value of each gift card you unload. Still, it's a better bet than hanging onto gift cards you're not particularly eager to use.

Another option? Use your outstanding gift cards to shop for other people. That way, you retain the full value of each card.

If you want to procure extra funds for the holidays, spending less is a good way to go. Take a look at your budget and figure out where there's wiggle room to cut expenses temporarily. That could mean dining out less frequently in the coming months, or doing home maintenance yourself rather than hiring a contractor. Freeing up even $20 or $30 a week between now and the holidays and sticking that money into savings could help keep you debt-free.

The last thing you want to do this holiday season is rack up a hefty credit card balance that stays with you for much of 2020 and costs you extra money in interest. If you need money for the holidays, find ways to raise some extra cash now. You should also pledge to keep your spending to a minimum. That could mean downgrading some of your gifts or attending fewer events -- but if it keeps you debt-free, it's a worthwhile sacrifice.

This may be the perfect cash back card! That's because it packs in $1,148 of value. Cardholders can earn up to 5% cash back, double rewards in the first year, and avoid interest well into 2020. With such a deep bench of perks you'll wonder how this card packs in a $0 annual fee. Best yet, you can apply and get a decision in two minutes. Learn more with our in-depth review.

The Motley Fool owns and recommends MasterCard and Visa, and recommends American Express. Were firm believers in the Golden Rule. If we wouldnt recommend an offer to a close family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Ascent either. Our number one goal is helping people find the best offers to improve their finances. That is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Stressed About the Holidays? Here Are 4 Ways to Scrounge Up Extra Cash - Nasdaq

There are lots of shows out right now dealing with female figures from history: The Crown, Dickinson, Gentleman Jack,andCatherine the Great, and of course, weve had movies like Colette andMary, Queen of Scotts come out recently that bring to life these larger-than-life figures. Yet, the complicated thing about bringing these women to life is fighting the impulse to make them fit a modern-day ideal of what an empowered woman looks like. Sometimes, like Dickinson, it works really well because the entire show is about discussing the frustrations of the time period, and with others, like Victoria, it limits the reality of what it meant to be a woman holding that kind of power.

Dickinson has been getting some mixed response. Alexis Need, from Mashable, said the show turned an American literary icon into a paint-by-numbers influencer whose not like the other girls energy renders her portrayal borderline unwatchable. The show attempts to make a point about the intellectual and social repression of women, factors that clearly influenced Dickinsons work in her time, but instead props the poet up as an example of what happens when creators decide theres only one authentic way to be a woman.

I have watchedDickinson, and while I do understand why Need has this opinion, I disagree, because I think we have a tendency to think that when we are highlighting the exceptionalism of one woman in a time period, it means we are saying all other women were not of consequence. In the show, we have Emily; her mother Emily Norcross Dickinson, played by Jane Krakowski; her sister, Lavinia Vinnie Dickinson; and Sue Gilbert, her best friend/love. What separates these women is not that Emily is a genius, but how class, financial circumstances, cultural expectations, and other societal factors can put you into a box.

Emily is the older daughter of a prominent family, who can coax her father into getting a maid so she doesnt have to do chores, but is also spoken down to for wanting to make her own way in publishing and education. Her mother is concerned about her daughter marrying well and knowing the skills to keep a husband because, at that time, it was expected. I do think the show plays it up a little bit more, but just like Mrs. Bennett, our Mrs. Dickinson is attempting to give her daughter the skills that have made life easier. Looking into her real life, the reason Mrs. Dickinson was so into cleaning and housework was that her husband was away all the time, and keeping house helped her feel productive. Also, if anything, Emilys lack of understanding of the importance of her mothers work speaks to Emilys character flaws, not to her mothers.

Sue is left penniless and, unable to just dream of being a spinster writer like Emily and Vinnie, being the youngest, is sort of just overlooked. None of these women are inauthentic. If anything, the modern-day language peppered into it only highlights that these are women very clearly aware of their realities who want to just live whole lives. That is admirable, and as we want to talk about the exceptions of history, it doesnt mean we should ignore that a lot of women in the world could have been exceptional if they had the privilege to strike out on their own. Dickinsonisnt a teen show, but its about coming of age in a time where the only way to truly do that was to kind of run the clock on the things that were expected of you.

When it comes toCatherine the Great andVictoria, theres what I like to call lip-service feminism. They want to run with the idea that being a great Queen equals feminism, but even as a period drama and monarchy history lover, thats bullshit.

Victoriawill gloss over the insensitive things she allowed to happen in her reign, her imperialism, and the legitimate, of-the-era flaws she had to make it seem as though her only problem was that men didnt listen to her. Victoria was the fourth woman to be an officially crowned Queen of England. The idea of a female monarch was not new, and while there will always be sexism to cope with, it was a position she was literally born to have.

Catherine the Great simply didnt even know how to handle the scope of what made Catherine such a lasting Tsar. She ruled for 34 years and created so many things that allowed her to have a Golden Rule. The show spends a lot of time talking about her struggles, but rarely seemed to address what she had accomplished.

Historical women are complicated, and adapting them means crafting a balance between the ideal you want them to represent and the reality of who they were. Not every woman to wear a crown deserves a yasss queen moment, and it was not only women of means and privilege that managed to create great things.

Saying well-behaved women seldom make history is a great mug, but it can also be a really limiting view of women, if you let it be.

What are some of your favorite portrayals of historical women?

(image: Apple TV+)

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Dickinson & Catherine the Great Highlight the Complexity of Crafting Female Historical Narratives - The Mary Sue