Category Archives: Golden Rule

Obviously, you should stick to the law and not speed, but many drivers will admit that they have sped once or twice, perhaps by accident or because they were in a desperate rush.

Then comes the fine, speed awareness course or points on your licence.

It hurts, and hopefully you learn your lesson.

But in some cases you might not actually have to pay the fine, thanks to a rule unearthed by The Money Advice Service.

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According to the free and impartial advice service, a letter should arrive within 14 days, and then youll need to return the completed Section 172 notice within 28 days, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Then youll be sent a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) - this is where you can plead guilty or not guilty.

However - before you do this, put the brakes on and check if a golden rule has been followed by the police.

The Money Advice Service confirm on their website: "If the ticket was issued written up, created outside of 14 days after the speeding incident, then there may be a possibility the ticket could be time barred (cancelled)."

However, they say the rules are more complicated than that.

They say: "All the police need to do is show the ticket should have reached the vehicles registered owner under normal circumstances within 14 days.

"This means the letter could go to an old address if youve not updated your licence, it could go to a hire company or to your work address if the vehicle isnt yours."

Put simply - if it gets to one of these within 14 days, it does not matter if it doesnt reach your address for another fortnight.

It also means delays caused by postal problems dont affect the rule if it was posted in time for a normal service to get the letter to you, a four-day strike wont sway the courts.

And by contesting the ticket, you could end up with a bigger fine and more points.

If you get 12 points or more over a period of three years, you could be disqualified from driving.

We've created a Facebook group for people who use the M25 to keep up to date with what's happening on the motorway.

We will keep you informed about the latest news that affects your daily commute to work, as well as at the weekend.

We'll also let you know in advance if there are any roadworks or closures you should know about, or if there are any problems at the Dartford Crossing.

Join the group here.

There are also more severe bands D, E and F, which are used for very serious speeding and driving offences.

The maximum fine is 1,000, rising to 2,500 if you were driving on a motorway.

Of course the most sensible and foolproof way to avoid a speeding ticket is to stick to the laws of the land in the first place.

Continue reading here:

The little-known law that could stop you getting a fine and points on your licence for speeding - MyLondon

It is even more important if you have children, a partner, or family member that are financially dependent on you. So how do you go about getting peace of mind at an affordable price?

The reality

Craig Baker, CEO of MiWayLife, points out that when it comes to protecting our financial future there is still more that needs to be done South Africans face aninsurance gap of R34.7 trillion, meaning that many people are financially exposed when it comes to protecting lifes unforeseen events. When it comes to providing financial protection against things such as death, most South Africans have a funeral policy in place which is a step in the right direction. However, the ball is dropped when it comes to having a plan that goes beyond the funeral.

Juggling many financial responsibilities is one of the reasons why some people delay purchasing life insurance. There is also the notion that life insurance is expensive, but in some cases, it is more affordable than funeral policies. It is all a matter of knowing which features to look for or speaking to a financial advisor who can help you find a policy that is tailored for you, comments Baker.

What is the age limit?

Most insurers have set the age limit to 65 years old and the minimum age is 18 years old. If you do take life insurance once you are over 50 years old, your life insurer will require you to submit your medical history. Keep in mind that life insurance is designed to be suitable for each life stage and creating financial security to help your loved ones continue the life that they know once you are no longer around.

Your age affects your premiums

The golden rule when it comes to having life insurance is taking out a policy as young as possible. Your premiums are most likely going to be lower compared to when you take it at a later stage. Furthermore, the older you get the more your health deteriorates and the higher the risks are of you passing away. Many factors are considered during the underwriting process to ensure that your health and life will not be at a considerably high risk.

With so many options available, it can get a bit overwhelming. We have put together useful tools to help you better understand and navigate your way to finding a policy that is suitable for you. There are effective tools that you can use to find out just how much life insurance you need to adequately cover you and your loved ones. For example, there is the MiWayLife life insurance calculator that can give you an answer in seconds. Confused by a certain term that insurers use? Our Jargon busters help you break down terms and phrases that insurers use.

See the article here:

What is the age limit on taking out life insurance? - South Coast Herald

If you spend several hours each day working at a desk, youve probably experienced the ache and pain that comes with poor posture. Were talking wrist pain, neck and back issues, hip soreness and even an increase in headaches all due to improper setup.

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Add in the new challenge of working from home during a pandemic and you might be wondering how to set up your new workspace to be productive and avoid pain.

Luckily, there are tips and tricks to setting up your office (or makeshift home office) to achieve good posture and ergonomics. Chiropractor Andrew Bang, DC, discusses what to keep in mind to avoid discomfort and injury.

Its no surprise that sitting all day (especially if youre hunched over pounding away on a laptop) can have some undesirable consequences to your health. From increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to painful injuries like carpal tunnel and a stiff neck, properly setting up your desk and workspace should be a priority on your wellness list.

When it comes to good ergonomics, its really about positioning yourself to avoid injury, pain and fatigue and just improve your overall work performance, says Dr. Bang.

And who wouldnt want to achieve all those things?

Dr. Bang explains that there are four key areas to focus on when it comes to your setup:

These four fundamentals are the golden rules of ergonomics (whether youre working in the office or remotely).

I tell my patients when theyre setting up their workstation, think: head right, arms right, back right and move right, he explains. So if you do those four things correctly, it allows you to be in a position where you can avoid pain and a whole list of other injuries.

Dr. Bang dives further into the four key areas of proper setup.

Your head is like a 10 pound bowling ball when your spine is in a neutral position, explains Dr. Bang. And if you get into the wrong position, your spine takes on more of that weight.

So the farther your head moves away from your neutral spine, the more the weight goes up. Even moving your head 15 degrees forward (so slightly looking down), your head goes from 10 pounds to about 24 pounds! Thats a big increase on your spine, which can quickly lead to neck and back pain.

Add in looking down at a piece of paper and the pressure on your neck and shoulders jumps to almost 40 pounds. Do this for several hours and were talking major pain and damage, says Dr. Bang.

For this reason, always focus on your spine and head being in a neutral position. Place your computer screen straight in front of you where your eyes are looking primarily at the area of the screen that you use the most. Use books or a box to prop the screen up to the appropriate level.

If you have two screens, put the primary screen right in the center and the secondary screen off to your left or to your right.

If you can, try to move your secondary screen around, says Dr. Bang. Have your secondary screen to the right for a few weeks and then change it to your left in another couple weeks. Good ergonomics is about keeping your neck moveable and avoiding repetitive movements.

If you use a laptop, you might run into the issue of having your screen up so high that you cant reach the keys. For this reason I always recommend using a wireless keyboard, says Dr. Bang. If you cant type comfortably, youre going to be straining, which will quickly cause neck, trap and wrist issues.

Whether youre sitting or standing, the preferred position of your arms is going to be 90 degrees. So that means your shoulders need to be down at a resting position (not hunched up to your ears) and your elbows should be bent with your wrists staying neutral.

When it comes to your computer mouse, Dr. Bang recommends using an ergonomics mouse verse a traditional mouse. A normal computer mouse forces your wrist to twist, which can irritate carpal tunnel syndrome or give you general wrist pain. An ergonomics mouse allows the wrist to maintain a neutral position, almost like youre shaking someones hand.

Its also a good idea to move around your mouse pad from time to time to create a little variety in your positions. Again, focusing on reducing repetitive movement to avoid injury.

Most standard computer chairs have built in lumbar support and the ability to change your height, which is great for customizing your workstation, says. Bang. But if youre working with a normal chair, maybe even at home, theres a few things you can try when it comes to supporting a good back position.

You first want to make sure your legs and thighs are parallel with the cushion of your seat. This allows the pressure of your weight to be evenly distributed and reduces the risk of thigh or leg pain. Make sure your legs arent dangling or that youre not using the rungs of your chair to prop your feet up. If needed, get a box or stool to rest your feet on.

Sometimes, when were really engaged in our work, we tend to lean forward a bit, but your back needs to be placed up against the back of the chair, explains Dr. Bang. If youre constantly leaning forward youre going to get tired and fatigued and thats going to lead to tightness and back pain.

Instead, try using a lumbar support pillow, which will allow you to sit with the natural curve in your back. Place the pillow in the small of your back and adjust it so that your head is over your neck and shoulders. This even works with a regular, small pillow.

Think of the curve of your spine like a spring.As gravity bears down on it, the spring can change pressure and distribute it evenly. If you straighten your spine out or overly curve it because youre in a weird position, youre going to start to have some discomfort.

Along with the lumbar support pillow, you can get a chair cushion, which is also going to help distribute your weight. Some cushions have a cut out for your tailbone, which is a common complaint, either from a previous injury or from childbirth.

Even if I sit in the best possible position, if I stay there for too long, its going to cause me some pain and discomfort, says Dr. Bang. Whenever you get stuck doing the same thing, youre going to get injured. Repetitive movement is a big cause of injury.

Our joints are made to self-lubricate when we move. (Thats why movement is so good for us!) When we move our muscles we also stretch out from being tense or overstretched from sitting or standing too long.

I learned a saying from one of my patients that I think is so important motion is lotion, says Dr. Bang. We need to get up and move throughout the day.

Set a timer, schedule it on your calendar or make a rule for yourself that during every conference call youll try to incorporate movement, even if its a simple neck stretch. Try to figure out times throughout your day where a little bit of movement or stretching wont affect or impact your work.

Blend tasks together. So while youre reading a long email, youre stretching. If youre waiting for your lunch to heat up in the microwave, throw in some movement while you wait. Take advantage of bathroom breaks to make sure you get up every 45 to 60 minutes. Or if you have a standing desk, switch from sitting to standing every hour and the back again.

Creating variety throughout our day is going to help us combat pain and discomfort, says Dr. Bang. Movement is an important piece of good workspace ergonomics.

View original post here:

Here's How to Set Up an Ergonomic Home Office to Avoid Aches & Pains - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

No effect of COVID- 19 on top brands growth, says Brand Footprint 2020

By M4G Bureau - July 13, 2020

According to Kantars report -Brand Footprint 2020, Dabur, Vim, Sunfeast, Brooke Bond and Patanjali have joined the Billion CRPs Club this year

Worldpanel division of Kantar, the worlds leading data, insights and consulting company released its report Brand Footprint 2020. The report citied that Parle is the most chosen consumer brand in India. Also, five new brands such as Dabur, Vim, Sunfeast, Brooke Bond and Patanjali have joined the billion consumer reach point (CRPs) club this year. Colgate stands at the highest penetrated brand at 88%, the report said.

Talking about the impact of Covid-19, the report said thatfood and beverage brands get picked up more often except Parle and Tata due to drop in frequency. For example, Amul is chosen over 100,000 additional times during the pandemic months, March to May. While personal and home care brands drop CRPs. However, trip size increases causing top brands to grow volume.

Consumer Reach Points are a great way to measure and rank brands as it is a measure of the number of opportunities a brand has, to interact with a consumer. It is great to see consistent validation for the fact that if you build penetration, frequency and growth follow. This has really been a year of global brands in terms of their higher growth than others. Like these, this years report has a lot of interesting nuggets to derive a lot of information and insights on top the behaviour of consumers towards brands in the last year, said K. Ramakrishnan, MD- South Asia, Worldpanel division, Kantar.

Top 10- Brand Footprint Most Chosen Consumer Brands

RANK

BRAND

CRP(m)

1

Parle

6,029 CRP (mn) +12%

2

Amul

4,632 CRP (mn) +17%

3

Clinic Plus

4,514 CRP (mn) +32%

4

Britannia

4,215 CRP (mn) +29%

5

Ghari

2,438 CRP (mn) +12%

6

Tata

2,212 CRP (mn) +16%

7

Aavin

2,080 CRP (mn) -10%

8

Nandini

2,025 CRP (mn) -2%

9

Colgate

1,868 CRP (mn) +23%

10

Wheel

1,630 CRP (mn) +14%

Key findings:

1) Scoring the highest CRP at 6,029 million with 12% increase, Parle ranks first followed by Amul at 4,632 million CRP with 17% increase, Clinic Plus at 4,514 million CRP with 32% rise, Britannia at 4,215 million CRP with 29% increase and Ghari at 2,438 million CRP with 12% rise.

2) Five new brands joined the Billion CRP Club this year- Dabur, Vim, Sunfeast, Brooke Bond and Patanjali. Total 21 brands made it to this group in 2019 compared to 16 in both 2018 and 2017.

3) Over 2/3rd of the top 50 brands are Indian Origin brands while global stands at 14.

4) Global brands (29 %) show 1.8 times growth compared to Indian origin brands (16%). Global brands are growing almost twice as fast at 29% compared to Indian origin brands at 16%.

5) Consumers make significantly more choices this year leading to a significantly better CRP performance by brands. 57 % brands record growing CRPs.

6) Bigger brands find better growth and follow the golden rule, brands grow faster by growing penetration

7) Colgate stands at the highest penetrated brand at 88%

8) Surf Excel marks a consistent CRP growth rate at 20% upwards scoring 1566 million CRP

9) 58 brands saw a penetration gain of 1% or more. Leading the category is Ponds at 5.8% followed by Harpic (4.8%), Comfort (4.5%). 1% penetration gain adds an extra 2.9 million shoppers to the brand

10) In the foods category Britannia clearly charts out a success story as the second most chosen brand, seventh highest penetrated brand with a household penetration at 67.6%. While Aashirvaad saw a surge with 4% penetration increase and 55% in CRP growth.

11) Within home care, Surf Excel marks 48% CRP growth while recording 3.4% penetration increase, closely followed by Vim at 44% CRP growth and 3.2% penetration.

12) Dabur comes out strong in the personal care and foods category with 34% CRP growth, making it the fifth most chosen beauty and health brand in India with a 70% household penetration.

Also read:Amazon retains top position among 100 most valuable brands in Kantar & WPP report

See the original post:

No effect of COVID- 19 on top brands growth, says Brand Footprint 2020 - M4G Team

When you see a camera flash or a speed camera van in your rearview mirror it can be an agonising wait to learn if you've been caught for speeding.

Many of us have been guilty of this in our lives but the fines, speed awareness course or points on your licence still sting.

But it may not be too late to avoid a fine - thanks to a rule unearthed by The Money Advice Service.

According to the free and impartial advice service a letter should arrive within 14 days, and then youll need to return the completed Section 172 notice within 28 days, reports the ECHO.

Then youll be sent a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

This is where you can plead guilty or not guilty.

However - before you do this put the brakes on and check if a golden rule has been followed by the police.

The Money Advice Service confirm on their website: "If the ticket was issued written up, created outside of 14 days after the speeding incident, then there may be a possibility the ticket could be time barred (cancelled)."

However, they say the rules are more complicated than that.

They say: "All the police need to do is show the ticket should have reached the vehicles registered owner under normal circumstances within 14 days.

"This means the letter could go to an old address if youve not updated your licence, it could go to a hire company or to your work address if the vehicle isnt yours."

Put simply - if it gets to one of these within 14 days, it does not matter if it doesnt reach your address for another fortnight.

It also means delays caused by postal problems dont affect the rule if it was posted in time for a normal service to get the letter to you, a four-day strike wont sway the courts.

And by contesting the ticket, you could end up with abigger fine and more points.

If you get 12 points or more over a period of three years, you could be disqualified from driving.

There are also more severe bands D, E and F, which are used for very serious speeding and driving offences.

The maximum fine is 1,000, rising to 2,500 if you were driving on a motorway.

Of course the most sensible and foolproof way to avoid a speeding ticket is to stick to the laws of the land in the first place.

Read this article:

A little-known law that could stop you getting a fine and points on your licence - Cambridgeshire Live

I have always been proud of my adopted state and have found Mainers to be somewhat reserved but overall friendly and helpful. Now we are hearing stories that are downright disturbing: being spit upon for wearing a mask that referenced the New York governor, people yelling at drivers of cars with out-of-state plates and worse.

A friend who moved here several months ago still has Massachusetts plates. (The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has been closed and is now open by appointment only.) When she went to the beach in Kennebunkport, she was harassed, and followed, and told to leave the state, even when she explained that she does actually live here!

I told her that I am sorry! What is going on with the world? Who said this nastiness was acceptable behavior? (Actually, I think I know.)

What happened to the Golden Rule? People need to stop and think. There are always other more reasonable explanations for whatever we are so quick to judge.

Please, folks, use your brains, and your compassion, and find your inner better self. Rudeness is just not OK!

Regi RobnettPortland

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Letter to the editor: Golden Rule still holds true in COVID era - Press Herald

A universal way of looking at this broken world

I joke about a lot of things in this column. What I wont joke about is the current political and social unrest in America and across the world.

Its overdue, in my personal opinion, and like a medical procedure that has been delayed, its more painful because the infection is systemic. The way its always been doesnt care for the way it could be or should be. Ours is a broken world, and fixing it will require changing the way its always been.

I realize Im writing from a place of privilege. My encounters with police have been few, and the troubling ones resulted from my job as a reporter, not because of the color of my skin.

Im no expert, and I dont pretend to be. This isnt my time to talk. Its my time to listen.

Because of how my brain works, I think of things in the context of art. How is art expressing these times? How are local artists manifesting their emotions?

Local singer Britt Reynolds did a photo shoot recently with photographer Lou Columbus that became a statement on the murder of George Floyd, as well as the innumerable unjust murders of unarmed citizens at the hands of police brutality, she said.

These photos are a form of peaceful protest involving a powerful art form; they share the plea for justice, while condemning the violence being used against peaceful protesters, including deadly rubber bullets and abortifacient tear gas; they encourage all citizens to stand up for what is right, and to condemn police brutality and systemic racism, Reynolds said.

This isnt a new issue, she said, but one that has persisted throughout time. While racial discrimination and police brutality toward black citizens sparked the moment, Reynolds hoped police reform would promote the safety and rights of all people, regardless of race or background.

This art stands for justice and freedom, and we hope our images motivate swift governmental and personal change, she said.

I received this week a list of actions and considerations for being an effective ally that make sense to me. Theyre good advice in any situation where you hope to be an agent for peace and understanding.

First, be aware of and challenge unconscious biases or biased behaviors you may have. Try to be a focused, thoughtful and empathetic listener. Encourage and support differences.

Try to be more open-minded, aware and available to discuss issues and ideas. Invite colleagues with different perspectives to your meetings, lunches and social events.

Know that negative comments about race, gender, religion, disability, orientation, etc. are harmful. Dont see or hear something inappropriate and stay silent. Defend others. Speak up.

Treat all people with dignity and respect. When interacting with those who are different from you, look at the world through their lens. Seek to understand more. Educate yourself. Learn from each other.

When I was growing up, we called this The Golden Rule Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Some form of this exists in every religion and ethical system throughout history, and all of the strategies above stem from that same concept.

One of my favorite versions of this maxim is a proverb from the Yoruba people of Nigeria: One who is going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.

Art helps us do that. Its meant to evoke feeling, to communicate grand ideals that elevate us as humans, to show us other perspectives. Yes, it can and should be used for light entertainment purposes as well, but art that lives on is art that touches hearts in some way. Open yours.

Peace.

Tony Simmons is a writer and editor for The News Herald. His column appears most weeks in the Entertainer.

Read the original:

Of art, allies and the Golden Rule - The News Herald

A misunderstanding of what I meant by justice in last weeks column has prompted me to revisit the subject this week.

A misunderstanding of what I meant by justice in last weeks column has prompted me to revisit the subject this week. Some readers thought I was speaking of getting even, an eye for an eye sort of thing, but thats the last thing I mean. As Gandhi so famously said, An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

No, justice, from my Christian perspective, is about the joy of living the Golden Rule.

Youll recall that Justice was the theme of Cochranes 2017 World Religions Conference, sponsored by the Ahmadiyya Muslim community of Calgary (see my column for May 11, 2017). In addition to myself, representatives from Judaism, Islam and the Bahai Faith shared their traditions teachings on justice. Ive reconnected with the other three representatives to get their take on justice in the midst of our current events.

At that time, event organizer Kalim Ahmed, addressing the increase in global tensions then as now, said, The root cause for the lack of peace is the lack of fairness and justice.

In view of our current situation, Kalim adds: The Holy Quran says that, Indeed Allah requires you to abide by justice, to treat with grace and to give like the giving of kin to kin. Humanity is in dire need of the application of this universal principle. They are expected to learn the art of returning more than the others dues; this generosity will benefit people without obligation and become the basis of love, peace and harmony in the society.

Shaul Osadchey, former Head Rabbi at Calgarys Beth Tzedec Synagogue, agrees. One of the foundational principles of Judaism is the embrace of justice as we find in Deuteronomy 16:20: Justice, Justice shall you pursue. This is a concept of justice that does not distinguish it from the values of faith or love.

To this he adds: Hillel, the great rabbinic sage of the 1st century, taught, Do not do what you would not want done to you. For Judaism, a foundation for moral society had to be built based upon minimum standards of conduct that all persons could observe. From this foundation, individuals could rise to higher levels of respect and eventually to the highest rung of love.

In light of the global protests regarding George Floyds death, justice is a fundamental expression of dignity for every human being regardless of race, gender, creed or ability.

Judie Bopp, speaking from a Bahai perspective, noted that the Bahai writings state unequivocally that justice is the essential foundation for world peace: Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.

Responding to the current scene in the spirit of the Golden Rule, she quotes from the writings of their founder, Bahaullah: O son of man, if thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself.

Ill conclude with the Canada-specific perspective of a Stoney Nakoda First Nations member from Morley. Former Eagle columnist and currently Team Lead of the Calgary Indigenous Relations Office Dr. Terry Poucette responded to my concern that justice must not be an eye for an eye:

I really appreciate your emphasis, she says. Revenge is not the answer, as it only tends to exacerbate problems. While many are angry and have every reason to be, what the Black Lives Matter protestors want is not revenge, but justice and equality. Only when Canada opens its eyes, faces reality, and works hard at genuine change can all Canadians be filled with the joy of justice.

So, thats our collective opinion on the joy of justice and the Golden Rule. May it be so!

2020 Warren Harbeck

JoinMe@coffeewithwarren.com

http://www.coffeewithwarren.com

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COFFEE WITH WARREN: The Joy of Justice and the Golden Rule - Cochrane Today

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Call it karma, the golden rule or paying it forward. In the midst of a pandemic and economic downturn, with racial tensions high, at a time when it would be so easy to turn inward, New Mexicans are looking around to see what they can do to make their corner of the world a better place to live.

And being rewarded in return.

The eighth graders at Santa Fe Waldorf School will still be going on a rafting trip after donating the $2,800 they raised to the Navajo Nation. Samantha DAnna decided to pick up some trash during a recent visit to Jemez Springs and became the villages honored guest. And a group of strangers came together this month to rescue an injured dog from the Sandias and have become local heroes.

As the news brings us brutality and wrongs that must be righted, it is essential for our communities and our sanity that we remember there are many, many good people doing good things who deserve not only recognition but our thanks.

The students at Santa Fe Waldorf sold pizza and burritos for two years to raise enough money for a class rafting trip on the San Juan River scheduled in May. Then came the coronavirus and the cancellation notice. Flush with nearly three grand, the 18 students decided to use the cash for essential supplies enough nonperishable food, toilet paper, disinfectants, thermometers, medicine, baby formula and diapers to fill a large rental van for the Navajo Nation. Teacher Daisy Barnard said it was the first time in months they had something to get excited about.

Eleventh grader Indie Russell, who went on the delivery trip, says she feels privileged to attend a private school with plenty of opportunities. She said she wanted to make things better for others, and the students did. But the story only gets brighter. A man then contacted their school and offered to pay for the trip when health restrictions are lifted. Anchors aweigh, kids!

Los Alamos professional photographer Samantha DAnna was on a trip to Jemez Springs in late May when she noticed a large amount of trash and decided to do something about it. The trash had been left by others in Jemez Springs and parts of the Santa Fe National Forest, and DAnnas appreciation of the areas beauty compelled her to clean it up.

So the appreciative Village of Jemez Springs made June 11 Samantha DAnna Day, even though she doesnt live there. A celebration outside the Village Plaza included Mayor Roger Sweet and village staff presenting DAnna with a proclamation certificate and a $100 gift card. Imagine what New Mexico would look like if everyone had that pick-it-up attitude.

Earlier this month, retired engineer Cynthia Klaila was heading back after hiking five miles on La Luz Trail when she heard desperate wails from a dog in a ravine. Klaila could have hiked on, but she knew the dogs survival depended on her, so she took the steep climb down. The poochs owner, who spoke no English, soon returned with water. The two crafted a makeshift gurney to hoist the dog up the ravine, but none of their contraptions worked. Klaila went back up to the trail to flag down help, and along came 45-year-old Albuquerque attorney Jason Bousliman. Bousliman and Klaila went down the ravine, and with the dogs owner attempted to heave 80- to 100-pound Maya up the rocky wall. But their combined efforts were futile. So Bousliman clutched the dog and managed to clamber up the rocky ravine and start down the trail, where he was met by Velita and Cody Turner, on vacation from Fort Worth, Texas. Once the team reached La Luz trailhead, other hikers came forward to offer aid and share contact info.

These bright spots show simple acts of kindness and decency that make real differences in peoples lives. Just ask Mayas owner, anyone enjoying the pristine Jemez, or any joyfully screaming eighth graders you see rafting down the San Juan River.

OPINION

tuesday, june 16, 2020 A8

editorials

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.

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Editorial: Thanks to the many making news thats good in New Mexico - Albuquerque Journal

Dr. Alton A. Williams, Special to the USA TODAY NETWORK Published 5:00 a.m. ET June 13, 2020 | Updated 12:21 p.m. ET June 13, 2020

Protesters that were among the nearly two dozen taken into custody while demonstrating in Camden Tuesday said they were injured and poorly treated by police in a 12-hour ordeal. Delaware News Journal

Racism in America is as repugnant as any human indignity experienced in all of world history including the Holocaust, killings by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, apartheid in South Africa and on and on. Racism is an abject sin of depravity of the human soul. It is evil and devilish and it must be atoned for. White America and others who have contributed to this system for personal gain must repent both individually and collectively for being the beneficiaries of a system of discrimination, privilege, monetary gain, hatred and yes, even brutal lynchings and indiscriminate murder.

The biblical standard for personal relationships in all aspects is known simply as the Golden Rule. It is stated in the Old Testament in Leviticus 19:18 and it was a direct quote of Jesus in the New Testament in Matthew 7:12 and then again in Luke 6:31. Stated quite simply the Golden Rule is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Dover protesters continued their trend of peaceful protesting this week, advocating for black equality/(Photo: Andre Lamar, Dover Post)

What does atonement look like? One must first humble oneself, pray, and seek Gods nature and turn (repent, atone) from ones wicked ways. Racism is a wicked way. It must give way to the Spirit of the Lord. What is the Biblical standard for wickedness? It is a synonym for evil or sinfulness. Among theologians and philosophers, it has a more specific meaning of evil committed consciously and of free will.

OPINION: The Two Americas: The divide is still wide

The fact that racism in these United States was committed by free people knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily of their free will absent any duress is what makes racism so despicable. The African people brought to this country as slaves along with Native Americans already living in the colonies taught the white colonists which plants they could eat safely. They taught them how to prepare their food. They built shelters and monuments to their white heroes. In spite of the many contributions of enslaved people, they died at the hands of those same colonists who stole their lives, their children and their humanity.

This history of ungodliness must give way to the Spirit of the Lord. One must cry out to God and ask Him to forgive the wickedness perpetrated on black Americans for centuries. Then and only then will the heart and hand of God move as He promises to forgive your sins and heal your land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

An aspect of atonement is financial restitution reparations for centuries of enslavement, Jim Crow, lynchings, separate but equal policies and repressive laws, denied livable wage jobs and the existence of centuries of free labor. It is easy for any business to survive and thrive on the basis of free labor.

Robert Johnson, the first black billionaire, is calling for reparations to the tune of $14 trillion for 400 years of degradation. I would add to that figure the concept of treble damages. Treble damages are intended to be punitive in order to deter others from committing the same offenses. These damages are imposed to not only punish the perpetrator but to also compensate the plaintiff.

Dr. Alton A. Williams(Photo: Alton A. Williams)

Therefore, I am proposing that every African- American man, woman, and child be awarded $1,052,301 ($350,767 x 3 = treble damages ) for the legacy of slavery imposed upon their lives.These cash payments can be paid over a 1 to 3 year period.To all African- Americans nationwide the great wealth transfer is about to happen. The last shall be first( Matthew 19:30).

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Recall how Moses was used by God to set the Hebrew slaves free after 400 years of bondage? God used the tenth and final plague to loosen the grip of bondage and permitted the Hebrews to leave enslavement with all of the wealth of Egypt. The wealth was released not because the Hebrews insisted upon it but because it was the will of God. By the way that wealth has never left the descendants of those slaves unto this day. Likewise, my fellow African American citizens, do not fret about how this transfer will happen since it will be accomplished by the will of God. I believe God is setting the stage now and is speaking volumes in the streets and in cities throughout the world.

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George Floyds death will not be in vain. It doesnt matter that it is not the will of taxpayers to pay reparations, nor if it is not in the hearts of most lawmakers, nor if it is not in the mind of the current president. We will not have to beg for what is rightfully ours. God will judge and He Himself will right the wrongs. We simply need to stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord. How He does it will be His miracle.

Have faith because Black Lives Matter to God.

Dr. Alton A. Williams is a practicing optometrist in Wilmington.

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The sin of racism and a solution: Reparations for African Americans - The News Journal