When God sanctions violence

"When God Sanctions Killing: Effect of Scriptural Violence on Aggression" by Brad J. Bushman, Robert D. Ridge, Enny Das, Colin W. Key, and Gregory L. Busath

ABSTRACT—Violent people often claim that God sanctions their actions. In two studies, participants read a violent passage said to come from either the Bible or an ancient scroll. For half the participants, the passage said that God sanctioned the violence. Next, participants competed with an ostensible partner on a task in which the winner could blast the loser with loud noise through headphones (the aggression measure). Study 1 involved Brigham Young University students; 99% believed in God and in the Bible. Study 2 involved Vrije Universiteit–Amsterdam students; 50% believed in God, and 27% believed in the Bible. In Study 1, aggression increased when the passage was from the Bible or mentioned God. In Study 2, aggression increased when the passage mentioned God, especially among participants who believed in God and in the Bible. These results suggest that scriptural violence sanctioned by God can increase aggression, especially in believers.

Full text of study.

Can God make people more aggressive?
British Psychological Society Research Digest Blog

Reading violent scripture that's been taken out of context can increase people's aggressiveness, especially when God is said to sanction violence, a new study suggests.

Brad Bushman and colleagues presented hundreds of students with an obscure, violent passage from the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. It tells the story of an Israelite man plotting revenge on a murderous mob from Gibeah, eventually leading to the deaths of thousands of soldiers on both sides.

Crucially, half the students read a version of the passage that included the Israelite man and his associates praying 'before the LORD', together with the sentence: 'The LORD commanded Israel to take arms against their brothers and chasten them before the LORD'. The remaining students read the exact same story but excluding these two sentences that mentioned God.

Next, the students donned headphones and played a reaction time game with a hidden 'partner'. They were told the loser of each round would be blasted with noise over the headphones, and that they had to choose prior to each round how much noise they wanted their 'partner' to be blasted with (on a scale of 0-10 from no noise up to 105 db). This was the measure of aggression.

Overall, the most aggression was shown by those students who read the bible passage that included God sanctioning violence, and furthermore, among that group, it was those who said they believed in God and the Bible who were most aggressive.

"Even among our participants who were not religiously devout, exposure to God-sanctioned violence increased subsequent aggression" the researchers said. "To the extent that religious extremists engage in prolonged, selective reading of the scriptures, focusing on violent retribution toward unbelievers instead of the overall message of acceptance and understanding, one might expect to see increased brutality".

EL ESPÍRITU DE ORTEGA Y GASSET EN UN ENCUENTRO

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Debatirán Natalio Botana, Manuel Mora y Araujo y José Varela Ortega


El jueves 3 de abril a las 18, se realizará en el Centro Cultural Borges un encuentro debate sobre el tema "Participación ciudadana en Argentina y España", con la participación de Natalio Botana, Manuel Mora y Araujo y José Varela Ortega, presidente de la Fundación Ortega y Gasset y Catedrático de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, de Madrid. Actuará como moderador, el historiador Ezequiel Gallo.

El encuentro se enmarca en un ciclo de reflexión organizado por la Fundación Ortega y Gasset de la Argentina con motivo de la conmemoración del Bicentenario de la Revolución de Mayo. El mismo continuará con otras mesas redondas de las cuales participarán prestigiosos intelectuales argentinos y españoles, como Rosendo Fraga, Juan Carlos Chiaramonte, Fernando Devoto, Fernando Martínez (Universidad de Almería), Pedro Pérez Herrero (Universidad de Alcalá) y Juan Pablo Fusi (Universidad Complutense de Madrid).


EN MEMORIA DEL MAESTRO

La Fundación José Ortega y Gasset es una institución privada, con sede en Madrid y Toledo, dedicada a la difusión cultural, la formación, el debate y la investigación en el ámbito de las Ciencias Sociales y las Humanidades. Inspirada en el espíritu del gran filósofo español, fue creada en 1978 por Soledad Ortega Spottorno, hija del escritor y primera presidenta de la Fundación.

Sobre los mismos principios, se fundó la filial argentina de la Fundación en 1996. Desde entonces, esta institución académica promueve tareas culturales, mantiene un interés permanente por los temas humanísticos, económicos y de ciencias sociales y actúa como centro de enseñanza del
idioma español.

La Fundación Ortega y Gasset Argentina mantiene una natural relación con la casa homónima de España que le permite establecer un fluido vínculo con ese país, y por medio de ella con el resto de Europa.

Además de la organización de seminarios y conferencias dictados desde su sede en el Centro Cultural Borges de Buenos Aires, el propósito de la Fundación José Ortega y Gasset Argentina es ofrecer una perspectiva interdisciplinaria y profundizar en una complejidad de saberes para facilitar la interacción entre las personas en un mundo en permanente cambio. Su atractivo programa de enseñanza incluye, entre otros:

*Curso Superior en Gestión Cultural, Patrimonio y Turismo Sustentable
*Curso Internacional: Gestión de las políticas culturales públicas en
países de América y Europa.
*Idioma español para extranjeros
*Programa para alumnos de Universidades Extranjeras que incluye clases de
lengua y cultura y un programa de actividades culturales integrado por
excursiones y salidas educativas.
*Seminario de Derechos Humanos
Cursos de Formación para Profesores de Español
*Curso de Filosofía Moderna y Contemporánea

Fundación Ortega y Gasset Argentina
Viamonte 525 3 º Piso
tel 54 11 4314 2809
fax 54 11 5555 5452
direccionfoga@fibertel.com.ar
www.ortegaygasset.com.ar

problems of understanding

From saber_rider:

"People would rather live with a problem they cannot solve rather than accept a solution they cannot understand."

A traffic analysis of a tunnel between Detroit and Ontario showed that the exact same tunnel could carry significantly more traffic if a stoplight were put in place a bit before the tunnel entrance way. This broke up groups of traffic a little bit, preventing the "domino" effect when one person in the tunnel would break. Traffic capacity for the tunnel increased significantly. However, people did not understand why a traffic light was needed where there was no intersection of any sort. There was so much protest that they took the light back down, returning the tunnel to it's congested state.

Brendan Nelson's shame

When the most I could do was turn off the radio in disgust, other people did it for me...

Melbourne
THOUSANDS of people who gathered in Melbourne today to hear the apology to the Stolen Generations cheered Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, but turned their backs on Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson.... As Dr Nelson gave his response, several people booed. Halfway through, the entire crowd stood and turned their backs on Dr Nelson. People began chanting: "Get him off."

Canberra
Brendan Nelson was booed and heckled as thousands watched the apology on big screens around the Parliament. As Dr Nelson raised the issue of current conditions in remote communities the crowd started to chant, "Get him off!" But in the invitation-only Great Hall inside the parliament, the protest was quieter – but just as symbolic. Aboriginal leaders and political rivals turned their back on the big screen relaying Dr Nelson's message. Some called out, "shame", others just left.

Perth
...an early-morning big-screen broadcast of Dr Nelson's reply to the apology was cut after crowds of people clapped to drown out his words.More than 1,000 people had gathered before dawn to watch Mr Rudd's 'Sorry' declaration. But when Dr Nelson began to speak, activist Catherine Coomer turned her back on the screen, angered by his comments that many Aboriginals live lives of "existential aimlessness", depending on "welfare without responsibility". Ms Coomer yelled that the opposition leader was degrading Aboriginal people, her calls prompting a large scale protest. Event organisers in the city said the hostile response to Dr Nelson had forced them to switch off the speech. "The people spoke for themselves by clapping it out," said Jim Morrison, chairman of the Briging them Home committee.

Test of Nelson's speech

References:
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Gaming in China

Henry Jenkins always turns my brain on. It seems he is currently in China talking to the Chinese about computer games...

Games and Social Responsibility -- Perspectives from Shanghai

<snip>

The concept of the 'social responsibility' of games companies was a much more central concept to these conversations than in an American context. The western discussion of 'serious games' is framed by the assumption that pedagogy is an unrealized potential of the medium but without any expectations that games companies have an obligation to create games which might transform societies. Perhaps because of the ways that media industries in China seek to walk a line between some emerging capitalist impulses/opportunities and an overarching state economy, the industry representatives at this event sought to continually reassure participants that they were fully aware of their ethical and social responsibilities. These responsibilities operate at multiple levels -- not simply a repressive notion of ethical responsibility (focused on what they exclude from games in order to protect impressionable young people) but also a generative notion (what they included in games in order to promote national culture or ethical self-consciousness). And it is this affirmative or generative notion of social responsibility which holds open the greatest promise in terms of promoting a serious games movement in China.

<snip>

Let me break this down a bit more. First, I was struck by how little of the conversation about the negative social impact of games centered around issues of media violence or even sex. I had noted a similar disinterest in games violence when I had visited China five years ago in the wake of a tragic fire in a cybercafe started by a high school student frustrated that he was not being allowed to access the internet or play games. My essay on this incident for Technology Review is reprinted in Fans, Bloggers, and Gamers. Basically, I argue that the Chinese had little interest in the argument that games violence causing real world violence. Rather, the incident was read in terms of concerns about the breakdown of traditional community life and the loss of the moral influence of the extended family in Chinese culture, both of which were seen as a consequence of rapid cultural, technological, and economic changes.

<snip>

On the other hand, many of the speakers defined the social obligations of games companies in a more generative sense -- in terms of the introduction of elements into the game play which are seen in more positive terms by the adult society. Games in China, then, are seen as part of a national cultural policy aimed at restoring pride in Chinese history and cultural traditions, traditions which were severely disrupted by the Cultural Revolution and just now beginning to gain some traction in the society once again. Parents worry that their offspring are being drawn to alien cultural experiences --not only games but also anime and comics from other parts of the world -- rather than embracing aspects of their own cultural tradition which adults want to see transmitted to the next generation. The computer here is seen as an important educational resource, one which prepares Chinese youth for a greater engagement with the world beyond their borders.

The Garden of Infernal Delights

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I decided to upload another song :)

The title's The Garden of Infernal Delights and it's based on The Garden of Earthly Delights: Hell by Hieronim Bosch :


Lyrics:
Flip a coin, roll the dice
Look where'll be your 'paradise'
Kiss a pig, don't deny
You've been filth all the life

Hi, greedy didn't you be?
You'll spend your eternity hanging in key
Don't cry, my friend, cheer up now
You'll be drowning, till the end of the time

Strings through your body are cutting so deep
Don't try to escape, just hang and cheep

Enormous monster eating your fellows like meat
Come and spew where their way will lead

Prophetic vision of next generations' fate
You've crossed the Hell's gate but still you can pray...

Singing starts at 0:36 playing time when the piano enters, which is the voice line in this song.

Yêu một người là gì?

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Tình yêu có rất nhiều ý nghĩa - không ai phủ nhận. Và tình yêu gây ra nhiều mệt mỏi - cũng không ai có thể phủ nhận. Yêu 1 người là…

5. Tình yêu gây nhiều ảo tưởng, và ảo ảnh. Tất cả là do trí óc nhạy cảm và giàu tưởng tượng của con người. Những điều hoàn hảo nhất được hình dung ra chỉ qua 1 ánh mắt, 1 lời nhận xét lịch thiệp (dù chẳng có mấy ý nghĩa) hay 1 cử chỉ nhã nhặn…Thế rồi 1 lời thề "chỉ có cái chết mới chia rẽ chúng ta" lại vẫn có thể tiêu tan trong vòng 48h. Nếu không tin, bạn cứ thử hỏi Briney Spears và Jason Allen Alexander!

4. Tình yêu nhiều khi rất…mất mặt. Bạn có bao giờ đếm hết được những điều kỳ cục mà con người làm vì tình yêu? Từ 1 anh chàng ôm con gấu bông cao 1m60 đi dọc thành phố để tặng cho người yêu, mặc dù anh ta chúa ghét thú bông, cho đến 1 cô gái cũng đi khắp thành phố chỉ để tìm được 1…cái bật lửa mà cô nghĩ là người yêu mình sẽ thích, mặc dù bản thân cô chưa bao giờ hài lòng về việc hút thuốc lá? Ŀấy là chưa kể những lần các cô gái ôm gối nằm khóc cả đêm mỗi khi 2 người cãi nhau và cả nhà ai hỏi gì cũng không nói…

3. Tình yêu có rất nhiều đòi hỏi. Những bông hoa và những món quà bạn cần phải tặng (tất nhiên, có những khi là bạn muốn tặng, nhưng xin đừng phủ nhận là có những khi bạn "phải" tặng, không thì không xong đâu!) Những bài thơ bạn phải sáng tác. Và đôi khi cái tôi "vĩ đại" của bạn cũng phải dẹp!

2. Tình yêu là mù quáng. Lúc mới yêu, con người thường mù quáng. Những điểm khác biệt được coi là đáng yêu. Những nhược điểm cũng trở nên ngộ nghĩnh và dễ chấp nhận. Và qua thời gian thì [đa số] những gì mà một thời là "dễ chấp nhận" ấy lại trở thành "sự lập dị và khó ưa".

1. Tình yêu dễ gây tổn thương. Dù nóng hay lạnh, tình yêu là điều dễ gây đau khổ nhất.

Nhưng…

5. Tình yêu là được thoải mái. nếu 1 người yêu bạn thật sự, bạn sẽ không bao giờ phải giả vờ trước mặt người đó. Nếu bạn buồn bã, cáu giận…, bạn không cần phải giả vờ tươi cười. Người bạn yêu biết rõ điều đó, chỉ có điều họ sẽ không đánh giá bạn nghiêm khắc như những người bình thường khác.

4. Tình yêu tạo nghị lực. Tình yêu như "châm ngòi" cho 1 cỗ máy tự động. Những người mới yêu nhau có thể làm những điều mà trước đó họ không làm được, 1 người chuyên đi ngủ sớm có thể thức khuya để nói chuyện điện thoại hàng tiếng với người yêu; 1 người chuyên dậy muộn có thể dậy sớm chỉ để đi chạy bộ cùng người yêu (thậm chí trước đó còn không bao giờ chạy bộ). Đối với những người đang yêu, mọi điều dường như đều có thể.

3. Tình yêu giúp hàn gắn. Tình yêu có thể giúp bạn vượt qua nhiều khó khăn của cuộc sống. Làm nhẹ bớt những gánh nặng. Làm giảm bớt căng thẳng. Bạn có thấy rằng chỉ cần nhìn thấy người đó thôi là bạn cảm thấy dễ chịu hơn rất nhiều rồi?

2. Tình yêu giúp đỡ bạn. Như Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) nói với Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt) trong As good as it gets: "Em làm anh muốn trở thành người tốt hơn". Tình yêu thật sự giúp cho bạn tin tưởng và tích cực, làm cho bạn phát hiện và phát triển được những điều tốt nhất trong con người bạn.

1. Tình yêu làm giàu cho bạn. Vì bạn càng cho đi nhiều thì bạn càng nhận được nhiều.

viel unterwegs …

ach ja, noch mal ein update:

war die letzten tage noch mal echt viel unterwegs. bald kommt ja das baby, d.h. von jetzt an ist erst mal schluss mit reisen in derunmittelbaren zukunft.

war mit marian (einer von unsrer community) am 15.01. in kassel, da gab es ein treffen zur vorbereitung zu einem “jahr der stille”, dass von dezember 2009-dezember 2010 stattfinden soll. es geht dabei nicht um “nichtstun”, sondern darum einen guten rhythmus von ruhe und arbeit, feiern und zielsetzung, woche und sabbat zu fokussieren. auf dem rückweg haben wir in fritzlar nette leute besucht, die hoffentlich auch uns bald besuchen kommen.

dann hatten wir hier ein paar dinge zu klären. wir haben eine familie aus england hier und die befinden sich gerade mitten im kulturshock. wie unterschiedlich deutschland und england doch werden, wenn es um die vielen alltagsdetails geht!!

dann sind wir am donnerstag (17.01.) mit ralf aus neubrandenburg losgezogen. ralf war letztes jahr mit hier und hat mit kaddie, moni, basti & zoe und naomi ein neues projekt in neubrandenburg gestartet.

es ging erst nach köln zu den motokis. das war prima! haben den dom gesehen, beim libanesen gegessen, bei judith lange gefrühstückt und viel über communities geredet.

direkt danach ging es nach erkelenz: predigen und marians nette familie kennen lernen. es war nicht viel zeit, denn sonntag und montag war essen (die stadt) dran: bei tobi klug im weigle-haus predigen, e.motion besuchen (danke für den support!!), viel und intensiv reden, leckeren kaffee trinken (danke, burkhard und christina!) und auch viel über communities reden. daniel von der micha initiative hat das alles in die wege geleitet.

naja, dann war noch ein treffen in chemnitz (igw) und wenn morgen hier in der feg in borna die predigt vorbei ist, ist erstmal drei tage ruhe.

war alles sehr schön! sehr intensiv! und sehr viel!

Shusako Endo & Graham Greene

Zwei (drei) sehr herausfordernde und inspirierende Bücher, die wir hier gerade (ge)lesen (haben):

• Schweigen (engl. Silence) von Shusako Endo.

Endo war Japaner und gehört der katholischen Minderheit Japans an. So gelingt es ihm klassische spirituelle Themen vom Standpunkt einer Minderheit zu betrachten, da eben Christsein in Japan 1. keine Massenkultur ist, wie (fast) überall in Europa und es 2. eben japanisch / asiatisch und nicht europäisch gesehen wird.

“Schweigen” handelt von zwei Jesuiten, die auf der Suche nach ihrem Mentor sind. Dieser soll angeblich im Laufe der Christenverfolgung im Japan des 17. Jahrhunderts vom Glauben abgefallen sein. “Schweigen” ist eine extrem herausfordernde Novelle, welche die Fragen nach Inkulturation, authentischer Nachfolge, Mission, Leiden und Versagen keineswegs beantwortet, aber um etliche nötige und hilfreiche Fragen erweitert. Hammer! Auch zu empfehlen von ihm: “Der Samurai” und “Sünde” (engl. Scandal).

• “Die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit” (original: Power and the Glory) von Graham Greene

Das zweite Buch in diesem Dreikomplex, dass wir z.Z. lesen ist “Die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit” von Graham Greene. Bei diesem Buch gibt es einen ähnlichen Background: Christenverfolgung in Mexiko. Ein “gefallener” Priester, der Schnapspriester, der im Suff eine Frau ‘geschwängert’ hat, ist auf der Suche nach sich und der Rolle, die er seiner Meinung nach bei Gott nicht mehr spielen kann. Auch super herausfordernd, schön geschrieben, und man geht mit allem, nur nicht mit stereotypen Gedanken aus diesem Lesen heraus.

• “Die Mönche von Tibhirine”

Wer dann (bei uns) noch Zeit und Muse hat, kann dann noch die Dokumentation über “Die Mönche von Tibhirine” lesen. Es handelt von sieben, bei der muslimischen Bevölkerung sehr angesehen Trappisten-Mönchen, die dann heimtükisch ermordet worden waren.

Alle drei Bücher findet man mit etwas Glück für 2-5€ inkl. Porto bei booklooker.de oder Amazon oder zvab.de. Aber Achtung, es ist nicht die typische “Erbauungsliteratur”!! Gerade Endo wird einen zwingen sich tiefer mit dem Thema zu beschäftigen, weiter zu denken und noch Hintergrundinfos einzuholen. Aber, da könnt ihr auch gerne bei uns nachfragen.

zurueck :: freakstock

freakstock war sehr nass, sehr cool und sehr intensiv. viele nette leute getroffen. mehr zeit zum reden gehabt wie sonst. mehr neue leute kennengelernt wie sonst. sehr sehr guten espresso bei wolf getrunken. eine intensive predigt gehalten [download irgendwo hier.]

nun bin ich sehr müde. gestern und heute waren noch andy freeman [boilerroom chef aus england] da. sehr schöne zeit gehabt. und auch psalters [hier die tourdaten ] waren auf ihrem weg nach prag für eine nacht hier. sind eine sehr geile kreative band. und teil des “simple way” lifestyles. krasse leute!

nun ja: new monasticism lebt! verglichen mit denen sind wir wohl eher benediktiner und sie die franziskaner.

ansonsten: schöne grüße. geh mich jetzt erholen.

burnley tunnel crash

Burnley Tunnel fiery crash, 3 dead

At least three people are dead after a multi-vehicle crash set off explosions and a fire inside Melbourne's busy Burnley Tunnel today, authorities said.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade warned of possible further deaths following the incident, which sent black smoke pouring from stacks above the city centre tunnel and caused traffic gridlock.

The accident forced the closure and evacuation of both the Burnley and Domain tunnels.

Truck driver Matt Galea said he saw flames reach the roof of the tunnel and felt shock waves from a series of explosions little more than 100 metres in front of him.

"Being in the cab I was a bit higher than other motorists and could see over the vehicles in front and just saw these huge flames hit the roof.

"The next thing I knew was the emergency system instructing all drivers to stop their cars, turn off their ignitions, and leave their cars."

Other witnesses reported seeing a truck broken down with blown-out tyre, which another truck swerved to avoid, causing a collision with other vehicles.

Motorists entering the tunnel after the incident were advised to abandon their vehicles and walk out.

Mr Mann said the fire in the tunnel was brought under control at 11.14am and had since been since extinguished.

"There's diesel leaking from one of the trucks that we're just containing now,'' he said.

"The good thing is that the emergency plans that were put in place worked very well,'' he said.

12 March 2008

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Open Question: Original Booking of Casa Bella, Mapsko Properties?

I am looking to buy a Casa Bella Mapsko Apartment, and therefore in search of reliable source to purchase the property... Located in sec-82 right on NH 8 in the new residential sectors of Gurgaon, Casa Bella is spread over 20 acres of nascent. estate and located adjacent to upcoming Metro Station. Casa Bella boasts an impressive spacious swimming pool and pool side area ensuring everyday a relaxing day for the family. The health club with swimming pool, steam bath, sauna and top of the line gym will keep you busy even during your busy days while an appointment at the massage room will offer you the complete relaxation in your mind, body and spirit. There is also a play room for the toddlers to keep them selves busy and safe while you are staying fit and keeping healthy. The jogger's path is designed for you to get maximum benefits from it while enjoying an evening stroll at the same time. Casa Bella is going to be a peaceful and serene community. Please share more info on the same.

Open Question: Notice to Vacate, Where do I stand?

Hi, Today I received a notice to vacate. Upon making an enquiry I have been told the Landlord has decided not to renew the lease and that was all. I asked if it was for any reason in particular and they told me they wanted to move someone in who could pay the rent on time. Now to be 100% honest and fair we have been late 3 times in the last 9 months, twice by just two days and once by two weeks and also rang in advance and informed them of the situation etc. With that we have no yards at all, no landscaping done. It took 3 months for the fences to go up and only just last week after near on 9 months we had our security gate put across the driveway so the premisis has been open to anyone. The property manager has turned up 3 times without any notice, except trying to call form around the corner, nothing writing then grunted at about rent and consdering the landlord. I think I have grounds for some form of refund on refund on rent payed etc? Scotty did you read it correctly, I never said 3 montsh late, 3 times in 9 months nor have I sa or do I feel I am entitled to pay rent late. And why would you assume anything is damaged or the rent is now late, its actually paid and has been for the last month. Godged, When we moved in we were told it would be done within 4 weeks by the landlord when he was here and the 2 property managers. As for the refund, I do not want it because the lease is up, I want a percentage back for the yards we still do not have and the unsecure premisis until last week. I'm all for fairness but why should I pay full rent for half a property? Big Deal maker, No I don't live in the yard but Im not paying rent for a house partially without fencing and sitting on pretty much a vacant unuseable block. rivajsj27, No it's not evicted, just notice to vacate as the landord is choosing not to renew the lease. I'm not really fussed about that and he is within his rights. I just think it's pretty poor of him considering we have been tolerant of his reasoning about needing to sell his other rental property before he can fix things up on this house. Yeah we agreed to it being like this but only for one month. Actually Interest I would keep me as a tenant, 3 times in 9 months while not ideal it could be worse and we were communicative as possible and apologetic. Moreso if the tenants in question were understanding about things taking longer than expected. I'm a business owner myself and wouldnt treat any client such, it is very poor. The house has been well looked after and needs nothing more than a normal before leaving to put it back as it was. I totally understand it is his house and he is letting us lie, at the same time it's not a free ride and we are paying good money to be here, just over $1200/month to be precise with 5 kids to only miss 3 say it was 4 times a year on average is a fair effort. No he doesnt have to consider that, nor should I consider his problems in supplying a sub standard property overall. As previosuly touched I'm happy to move on, don't care, the property is crap and the property managers are worse, I'll be buying now anyway it's affordable for us. Just dont why I should be expected to pay top dollar for something and not get it at all then be asked to leave, is pretty funny and ridiculous. I just wanted some good advice on where I stand exactly nothing more!

Open Question: I am a landlord who has a tenant who will not move out. What can I do? HELP!?

I have had the same tenant living in a single family house for 2.5 years. They had a written lease each of the 1st two years. Recently they are only month-to-month (legal by AZ law). I raised the rent on them with 50 days written notice in December. They sent a letter back to me stating they would move out by March 1st. I have been on the phone with them every few days for the past two weeks asking if they will be out on schedule as agreed. They have assured me and now they are just stalling for more and more time! Aparently they are trying to close on buying a home and now they are having problems and won't move out as agreed. They have not paid anything for March, yet, and I don't want to extend any terms for them either. I have already re-rented the property for March 15th!!! Can I get an injunction and get them out of there or do I have to do a whole eviction??? How long is this going to take? Anyone with advice or if you know how to help, I would most appreciate it!!!

What Keeps You Up At Night? [Banking Kismet] [The Banktastic IT & Security Feed]

CIO has posted the Nine Consumer Technologies CIOs Fear:

1. Portable Storage Devices
2. Consumer E-Mail
3. Instant Messaging
4. Social Networks
5. Smartphones
6. Remote Storage
7. Digital Cameras
8. Web-Based Productivity Applications
9. VoIP Clients

The article goes into more detail about each of the technologies. I was glad to see iPods mentioned in the portable storage devices part. As I&#8217;ve said before, those little things could carry all of your financial data in the palm of a hand.

AMP changing ads on the fly? [The Bank Channel] [The Banktastic FI Feed]

From Monty:

"So, I was perusing theage.com.au (an Australian newspaper online edition) and noticed this advertisement from AMP for there "eASYSAVER" account. The rate seemed fairly impressive at 7.25% so away I clicked. Unfortunately for me, this offer was not available to Firefox users (if you're using Firefox try this link ), maybe they've fixed it for you now? then again, maybe not?

So, I copied the URL, fired up Internet Explorer and pasted it in... Only to find, in the 10 seconds it took to load the landing page, the AMP guys had boosted the rate by 25bps... Handy stuff that. Come on AMP, get it right guys... Firefox has real market share, and I think you might get a greater response rate if you feature the 7.5% rate in your online advertisement."

Thanks for reading - we've reached post number 500, since starting in Jan 07. Looking forward to sharing more customer experience ideas and insight into 2008.

Aradiom, Guard ID, and Vestopia Added to FINOVATE Startup Lineup [NetBanker] [The Banktastic IT & Security Feed]

Four additional presenters have just been added to the FINOVATE Startup lineup: Aradiom, Guard ID Systems, Vestopia and another stealth company (see previous coverage here).
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

These companies join the 23 startups already announced: Andera, Boulevard R., Buxfer, Cake Financial, CAPS (Motley Fool), ClairMail, Credit Karma, Expensr, FindABetterBank, First ROI, Guardian Analytics, Jwaala, Lending Club, Mint, Prosper, SmartHippo, Unified Money, Wesabe, Wonga, WorkLight and three other stealth companies.

Seating is limited, so make sure you secure your spot for the early-bird price of $745. Early-bird discounts end Feb. 29. For more info refer to our conference website.

Aradiom, Guard ID, and Vestopia Added to FINOVATE Startup Lineup [NetBanker] [The Banktastic FI Feed]

Four additional presenters have just been added to the FINOVATE Startup lineup: Aradiom, Guard ID Systems, Vestopia and another stealth company (see previous coverage here).
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;

These companies join the 23 startups already announced: Andera, Boulevard R., Buxfer, Cake Financial, CAPS (Motley Fool), ClairMail, Credit Karma, Expensr, FindABetterBank, First ROI, Guardian Analytics, Jwaala, Lending Club, Mint, Prosper, SmartHippo, Unified Money, Wesabe, Wonga, WorkLight and three other stealth companies.

Seating is limited, so make sure you secure your spot for the early-bird price of $745. Early-bird discounts end Feb. 29. For more info refer to our conference website.

Banking predictions portend big change - Gartner [The Bankwatch] [The Banktastic FI Feed]

Tom Groenfeldt on techandfinance.com highlights four predictions in a recent Gartner report, that are quite provocative. Taken together, they suggest mammoth changes to Banks as we know them.

Click through for Tom&#8217;s take on them. I expect I will do same later.

techandfinance.com

"By 2010, social-banking platforms will have captured 10% of the available market for retail lending and financial planning."

"By 2010, 10 percent of banks' revenue from retail payments will be supported by competitors such as PayPal."

"By 2010, U.S. banks will start shutting down their full-service mobile-banking channels."

"By 2011, centralized retail core banking applications will cease to exist in at least 20 percent of banks worldwide."