The authors nomination for the 20th Century Genius Award goes to Gene Roddenberry. Mr. Roddenberrys gift to the world is a message of the human condition and the endless possibilities that the human civilization holds in their own hands. Through the guise of a simple, low budget science fiction program, Roddenberry presented on a weekly basis, morality tales using futuristic situations as analogies for current problems on Earth.(Day, D) In a time when America was under going geopolitical, social, and political turmoil, Roddenberry gave his audience hope for the future and seamless direction on how to get there today.

Measuring the cultural and social impact of a TV show or event is never easy. But there are numerous indications that Star Trek has had an influence on many peoples’ lives. This can be seen in a variety of ways, from the inclusion in mass-market dictionaries of words and phrases originally invented for the show, to the testimonials of people who claim that their career and life choices were influenced by Star Trek. .(Day, D)

The reader does not need to be a connoisseur of science fiction, nor even have an appreciation for the television series Star Trek. Regardless, the readers life has been affected directly and indirectly by Roddenberrys vision. Star Trek also attracts and excites generations of viewers about advanced science and engineering, and it’s almost the only show that depicts scientists and engineers positively, as role models. (Batchelor, 1993) A generation of youth was inspired by the vision of what if? in the worlds of technology, astronomy, physics, engineering, etcetera. This inspiration led to an explosion in technological advances from cell phones to ion drive propulsion, now in use in interplanetary probes. From the 1970s to present, it was almost as if Roddenberry gave a glimpse of future technologies and how technological advances would help to push civilization forward in pursuit of a better world. Now the dream of what if? has become reality and new technologies come easier, faster, and by some coincidence in the direction for use as played out in Roddenberrys television series.

Roddenberrys intention was to use Star Trek as a platform to play out real life issues under the guise of entertainment. Cultural output is thus seen as a mirror of social and political inputsa reflection of sorts of the fears, dreams, and preoccupations of society. (Brynen, 1999) Society as a whole may be unaware of the direction the people are taking in the world. That is until an artist holds a mirror to face of humanity, offering up a chance for self examination and reflection. By presenting this reflection to an audience that is caught up in the story and the interaction of characters, without even being aware of the message, the audience begins to transform ones own thinking about the world around them and their role in the world.

For example, perhaps one of the most carefully orchestrated relationships played out through many incarnations was an alien race known as the Klingons. The introduction of this alien species was an indirect representation of the real life cold war enemy the Russians and the communist fear. The 1960s had been a critical period for the entire world, as a constant nuclear threat was real and always present. Roddenberrys development of the Klingons and the war like society they came from presented the main characters a challenge of tolerance and attempts at finding peaceable solutions to their mutually conflicting backgrounds and cultural mentalities. As in real life, there were the occasional military conflicts, but the continuing message was to continue working through cultural differences for an understanding and peaceful co-existence.

The author cannot say that Star Trek changed politicians thinking, logic, or motivations, but the impact on the social consciousness is evident as society began to evolve through the 1970s and on through to the collapse of the Soviet government. If the reader was to ask a young person about how the cold war affected his or her life, the author would venture to guess that the respondent would have to ask What was the cold war?. In the years leading to the days of the collapse of the Soviet Union, military tensions remained high between the United States and the Soviet Union, but societys view of the threat diminished slightly over time through the decades that followed the 1960s. Was this because of a shared fear of a mutually assured destruction (MAD) and a developing understanding that the people of the Soviet Union were very much like the Americans in shared hopes and dreams? Could the people of Earth survived without one or the other, MAD or an understanding? In Roddenberrys vision, both opponents, the crew of the Enterprise and the Klingons, were equally capable of destroying the other, possibly with significant losses in the process. But Roddenberrys message was always one of finding a means to peace and celebrating shared commonality.

Prior to the 1960s, in the authors opinion, America might as well have been the poster child of white supremacy and ethnic ignorance. Again Roddenberry pushed for diversity in his vision of the future. A time in which people of all ethnic backgrounds would come together as equals in a pursuit of knowledge and exploration.

Roddenberry envisioned a multi-ethnic crew, including an African-American woman, a Scotsman, a Japanese American, and most notably, an alien, the half-Vulcan Mr. Spock. In the second season Roddenberry added a Russian crewmember at a time when the United States was engaged in a tense cold war with the Soviet Union. Blacks and women were also shown as scientists and doctors on the ship. (Day, n.d.)

A unique characteristic about ignorance; it can be coaxed out of existence through exposure to situations that would normally not be observed in common place. Roddenberry presented to families on a weekly basis, adventures and tales of survival so exciting, that people began to see beyond the ethnic representations of the characters and saw a team of people achieving the unbelievable.

Was this tolerance or acceptance by the common people of other ethnicities? Whatever the first step, society has continued to evolve. The abolishment of ignorance has transformed neighborhoods, the workplace, and every other aspect of life towards pure social integration. Just 25 years earlier, prior to the airing of Star Trek, Japanese Americans were sent to camps with no regard to their innocence or place in society. This action was based purely on a racist preconception by government authorities, who were a representation of the American people.

Perhaps more on the minds of outside observers was that the 1960s represented the birth of civil rights, womans rights, and other minority concerns at the time. In no other media outlet at the time was there a representation of ethnic diversity sharing equal and esteemed roles such as scientists, officers, doctors, and engineers. Added to the kettle of diversity was the weekly interaction with alien races. At times, there would be conflict or a shared hardship, but in the end, the message was the same, understanding and appreciation of the differences between the various races, could bring peace to what otherwise could have been a volatile situation.

The integration of ethnic and cultural diversity that the world now enjoys could never have been forced upon a society. Roddenberrys genius was in his ability to present to the world a vision for a future based on changing how humans as a society interact today. Gene Roddenberry once noted that his inspiration came from concentrating on something about our world that annoys meso that I get sufficiently moved, so that I want to write about how, in the Star Trek world, its done differently. (Brynen, 1999) As society continues to grow and celebrates the shared ethnic diversity, perhaps the advances in technology, that sparked the imagination of millions and changed our world, will help to advance the human race to the stars and beyond. But no one is going to the stars until society moves forward as one. At its most basic level, Star Trek had a simple humanistic message: humanity will be okay. (Day, n.d.)

References – Do Not Strip Article References

Batchelor, D. A. (1993). The Science of Star Trek. Retrieved January 29, 2008, from https://ssdoo.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/just_for_fun/startrek.html

Brynen, R. (1999, February 08;). Mirror, Mirror? The Politics of Television Science Fiction. Retrieved January 29, 2008, from https://www.arts.mcgill.ca/MEPP/exofile/sftv.html

Day, D. (n.d.). Star Trek as a Cultural Phenomenon. Retrieved January 29, 2008, from https://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay

Researched and Authored by: Michael J. Spindler of Local Music Hits

Free to distribute – However- Do not strip Research Article References, remove the HTML if needed, but keep the URL text.

About the Author: Michael J. Spindler Michael has a multitude of interests, from Local Music Bands, Arts, Psychology, Sociology, Business Techniques and many more… As time goes by, most of my articles will focus on the world of Local Music. But at this time, I would like to share with you my other varied interest.

A Musicians Community for Fans and the Bands to promote local music on a national stage. Listen to streaming audio of future hit music. Rate, Vote, and search for play dates of your favorite music from local musicians and bands from across the nation.

Demolition, excavation, grading and hauling contractors take on the demolition, excavation, grading and hauling tasks in all types of residential, commercial and civil engineering construction projects. Bob cat services used for such demolition, excavation, grading and hauling tasks are also usually supplied by these same contractors to the residential, commercial and civil engineering construction projects.

The phrase bob cat services was coined in reference to the services given by heavy duty equipment made by the Bobcat Company. Most of those heavy duty machinery were hydraulic equipment, compact excavators, compact tractors, skid steer loaders and compact utility vehicles and the like, often required for demolition, excavation, grading and hauling tasks. The use of the phrase has evolved in time, though, and bob cat services now refers to services provided by all types of heavy machinery used by demolition, excavation, grading and hauling contractors, whether or not these have been manufactured by the Bobcat Company.

When demolition, excavation, grading and hauling contractors rent out equipment that provide bob cat services they are held responsible not only for the performance of the machinery but also for the required training for equipment operators and other workers on site. Such training is necessary to make certain that safety procedures are always complied with and all precautions are observed in order to prevent any untoward incidents that may occur while the machinery is being used.

The task of demolition service contractors is to tear down and remove any infrastructure that is not wanted or needed. The most common reason for demolishing a structure is the construction of a new project on the same site. Sometimes a structure that has been found to be unsafe is also condemned for demolition. Special types of heavy machinery equipped with high tech hammers, shears and multiprocessors are used by demolition contractors to cut into concrete and high strength steel beams and reduce these into rubble.

You can find demolition service contractors wrecking not only single storey buildings but even high rise structures of multiple storeys. No task is too small for them, too. They can also be called upon to demolish foundations, footings and vaults made of concrete as well as different kinds of paving. Swimming pool removal is also a task that belongs to demolition contractors although this particular task requires excavation work, too.

The task of excavation service contractors is to dig up materials buried in the ground through the use of heavy duty machinery specifically meant to move earth, like hydraulic compact excavators, cranes and backhoes. Tree removal, for example, is an excavation task.

Any residential, commercial and civil engineering construction project involves site excavation. Excavating is required among the initial procedures in the construction of ditches, bridges, roads, landscapes, buildings and homes. Site excavation is used to eliminate obstructions in the ground before site grading and the installation of the foundation for the project. There are also times when site excavation is undertaken in order to identify the nature of the soil and other substances beneath a site. The extent of the digging depends on the particular goal of excavation and the type of project to be erected on the site.

The task of grading service contractors come right after the task of excavation service contractors in any residential, commercial and civil engineering construction projects. The site grading task consists of levelling the ground in preparation for construction.

The task of hauling service contractors consists of debris removal with the use of bob cat services. Hauling service contractors take care of the rubble produced by demolition, excavation and grading procedures.

Clearly, all residential, commercial and civil engineering construction projects require the tasks taken on by demolition, excavation, grading, hauling contractors.

Stretching out your career for government jobs needs you to on take the civil service examination. This is one of the toughest exams held in India and comes along with proper guidance, preparation one can face the civil exam papers. Anyone aspiring for these must have the despicable quality like mental alertness, having interest in variety of subjects. One should have good intellect to tackle situations and subjects along with leadership qualities. Having the tacts and diplomacy and integrity and must knowledge in current affairs. Having a social and government interests in policies and development of the nation is equally important.

While first applying for the civil services examination one has to be selected, the first selection happens depending on certain criteria, these are as follows –

1. Only Indian nationals are eligible for IAS and IPS.A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India. Candidates belonging to either category must produce an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.

2. Age Limits are also a considering factor, a candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years on 1st August of the year of taking the examination.

3. The candidate must hold a degree of any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.

4. Every candidate appearing for the Civil Services Examination, who is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted four attempts at the examination.

Next comes in the preparation, civil services syllabus is huge and must come along with proper preparations. Proper books like Manorama Year book for general knowledge, current affairs should be read. Books on Indian economy, social and national issues, Indian policy, science and technology, statistics, geography and history and culture should be widely read. Civil exam papers are quite based on rigorous general knowledge and should be taken the best preparation.

Civil services examination comes along in various types. The first civil exam papers are on general studies and carry 150 marks. Questions include General Science, current events of national and international importance, history of India, world geography, Indian Politics and Economy, Indian national movement and general mental ability. The second paper, called optional’ is on the (one) subject chosen by the candidate and carries 300 marks. Subjects to choose from include Agriculture, Mathematics, Animal Husbandry & Vetinary Science, Mechanical Engineering, Botany, Medical Science, Chemistry, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Physics, Commerce, Political Science, Economics and etc. the second round Consists of eight papers carrying 300 marks each. Two are qualifying papers, one in English and the other in any recognized Indian language chosen by the candidate (options include – Marks obtained are not added in the total score. Third and fourth papers are on general studies and carry 600 marks. Rest is on two optional subjects, carrying a total of 1200 marks. The options include – Agriculture, Management, Animal Husbandry & Vetinary Science, Mathematics, Anthropology, Mechanical Engineering, Botany, Medical Science, Chemistry, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Physics, Commerce & Accountancy, Political Science & International Relations and many more. The final round is the personality and interview round, and then the result is announced. Successful candidates in Civil services examination are allotted services according to their ranks in the final list. Individual preferences of the candidates are also taken into account while allocation of service. It is helpful to try and choose the same optional subject for the prelim and the main exam.

The first 50 gets the IAS choice followed by IPS and others. Anyone thinking of taking up civil service should have an idea how difficult it is to get in as lakhs of candidates apply for the 400 to 500 vacancies that may arise. So once you decide to appear in Civil services examination, one should be prepared to slog endlessly because. The success rate in this exam is less than 10%.

We can debate all day about whether or not founding fathers such as George Washington were evangelical Christians. Rather than judge their hearts, we are on safer ground by examining what they actually gave us.

Nonetheless, we will go ahead and indulge in a favorite evangelical pastime. That is, debating about whether or not Washington was a Christian. The assumption of the “pro” side is that if we can prove the founders were Christians, we thereby prove that the U.S. Constitution is Christian. The “con” side responds that the Constitution is not a Christian document and Christians are better off admitting it.

Most Christians are firmly convinced that Washington was a true blue, born-again, evangelical Christian. Others have their doubts.

Arguments Against
Washington’s Christianity

One of the key questions is why did George Washington refuse to take communion for most of his adult life? For the serious Christian, such refusal is an act of self-excommunication.

Two hundred years from now some wannabee historians will seize on religious quotes by Barack Obama to prove that he was a Christian. Christians today do the same thing with Washington, but references to the Lord Jesus Christ in his voluminous collection of public and private papers are surprisingly scanty?

More important, defenders have to explain why George Washington occupied the rank of Grand Master in the Masonic lodge. Each promotion in the Masonic lodge requires taking an anti-Christian oath?

When it comes to Washington’s religious/philosophical bent there is too much of a mythical nature to rely on anything other than primary source documents. These include such things as Washington’s public and private correspondence and the writings of those who knew him well, like his pastor.

Washington and the Pietists

In the mid-20th Century, conservative Professor Paul Boller conducted an exhaustive study of Washington’s public and private writings, together with statements by contemporaries. His book was entitled, George Washington & Religion.

Washington’s pietistic biographers popularized an encyclopedia of stories about his religiosity based on hearsay and scanty evidence that could never hold up in a court. Far different was the story that emerged from Boller’s study of the source documents.

The pietists include stories about Washington’s rigorous devotional life and his partiality for taking communion in their particular denomination. In one account George Washington drew his pistol and fired on a subordinate who interrupted his devotions. Everyone read far more into Washington’s religious pronouncements than actually existed.

Washington and His Pastor

People who were close to Washington knew better. Dr. James Abercrombie, his pastor at Christ Church in Philadelphia during his Presidency was skeptical about Washington’s Christianity.

While his wife always went forward to kneel on communion Sunday, George Washington walked out the back door. When rebuked publically, he promised never to attend church on communion Sunday.

Dr. Abercrombie left us these words: “That Washington was a professing Christian, is evident from his regular attendance in our church; but, Sir, I cannot consider any man as a real Christian who uniformly disregards an ordinance so solemnly enjoined by the divine Author of our holy religion, and considered as a channel of divine grace.”

But, as noted above, analyzing the personal faith of anybody is somewhat risky business. We are on safer ground with a careful examination of what the founders actually gave us. Their critical flaw was a failure to distinguish between the biblical covenant model and the man-centered social contract.

Washington’s Religiosity

George Washington clearly valued Christianity as a socially cohesive force, but he saw it as the servant, not the master of government. He spoke often of the sovereignty of God, but his god was the Masonic Grand Architect of the universe.

Thus, he strongly encouraged chaplains in the Continental Army, but all of his senior officers were Masons. He also served as a leader in his local church, but only attended about once a month. Church attendance was part of his Masonic duty and a means of expressing his humanitarianism.

Evangelicals are quick to point out that the founders were not “Deistic.” More likely they were Unitarian. While most were church members, men like Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison and Washington, looked at Christ from a Unitarian perspective. That is, Jesus was not divine and certainly not relevant to the affairs of civil government.

Do you jump every time your phone rings and say a silent prayer that its your ex boyfriend only to see that its only a well meaning friend these days? Do you try to will him to call you and scream out to the night for him to contact you again? Do you just wish that he would reach out to you and call you again? Do you worry that he really doesnt care any more or worry that he has moved on and maybe even that he is out with another woman right now? What can you do to get him to call you again?

Well, first if you think that he doesnt really care or think about you these days youre dead wrong. But what does he think or what is going through his mind? That is the question. Chances are that if you have been calling him a lot or trying very hard to get him back he is probably avoiding you and your calls. If you have left voicemails or sent him text messages and he hasnt replied back then he is definitely avoiding you and this is to be expected. This is very normal. You see, all of your attention and pushing to try to get him back is actually pushing him away. All of your attention is a turn off to your ex boyfriend and people in general do not value that which is given so freely. Such is the attention that you have been heaping upon him. Honestly, all you are doing is feeding his ego and making him feel really good about himself and painting yourself as needy and desperate. You arent needy or desperate, are you?

Allow Some Time To Pass The only way to overcome this image in his mind that you are needy and desperate is to allow a little time to pass. Avoid contacting him at all for a while. Avoid contacting his friends or letting them know what youre up to or what is going on in your life. To the outside world let it appear that life is fine and that you are busy getting on with your life. You are ok with the breakup. You have gotten your self respect back and as time does its healing work your ex boyfriend will wonder what has happened to you and what you are up to.

Given a little time your ex boyfriend, who has grown accustomed to your attention and contact, will grow curious. He will begin to wonder what happened to you, how you are doing and doubt will begin to come into his mind. He will wonder in the silence of the night if he might have been wrong about you and he will begin to replay the conversations that he had with you and he will begin to feel guilty for some of the things that he said or did during your breakup. You can count on this and often it is just as simple as allowing some time to pass in silence before your ex boyfriend reaches out to you.

Do You Have Something Of His It is also true that sometimes guys can be stubborn. He might also be embarassed by some of the things that he said and did or be too proud to reach out to you. Sometimes all it takes to open the lines of communication when the time is right is a voicemail telling him that you have some things of his that you want to return to him. This might just be the slap in the face that you have accepted the fact that it is over and it might just wake him up to the fact that your attention and affections are no longer his any more.

Calling him at a time when you know that he wont answer the phone is often best and this forces him to call you back. Acknowledging the fact that you knew that he wouldnt be able to answer the phone is often a double smack in the face and a cold tone on your part as you matter of factly make arrangements to return his things will change his state if not immediately then his perspective will change as he replays your conversation in his head. People in general wish to be loved or at least liked and it will be his natural reaction to first be angry that you were cold to him and then he will soften and subconsciously begin to think of what he can do to at least make things civil between the two of you. That means make you at least like him again.

Good News Even if your ex boyfriend doesnt return your call or reach out to you right away if you dont get the reaction that youre looking for immediately time will do its thing and begin to work on his mind. The simple fact is that if you play things right and remain steadfast and strong in your underlying goal to get your ex boyfriend back this coldness or matter of fact attitude can do the trick. Meanwhile, learning how to push him emotionally and bring out the love that no doubt still lies in his heart for you can have him crawling back to you before long begging you for another chance. You see, once you change your attitude and the relationship dynamic your ex boyfriend has little choice but to change himself. It is going to be a bit of a rocky road but if you truly do love your ex you can get him back.

After all, there are couples that are far worse off than you and your ex that get back together every day. So, why not you and your ex? While it might be possible to just wait him out, you miss him and want him back in your life as soon as possible. You want to get him back before he moves on and leaves you behind. This is why it is important that you begin doing the things that are necessary to get him back and bring the love that never dies to the surface. Just remember that love never dies