Eric K. Rancourt (born December 17 1969 in Waterville, Maine) is an American metaphysical philosopher and writer.
Rancourt is writer and critic of politics, American family values and popular fiction. Rancourt is involved in a number of writing projects with theologian and writer Dr W. Sumner Davis, the most recent being the book A Grain of Sand.
Rancourt is a veteran of the United States Military , having served in the US Army for several years.
Rancourt is writer and critic of politics, American family values and popular fiction. Rancourt is involved in a number of writing projects with theologian and writer Dr W. Sumner Davis, the most recent being the book A Grain of Sand.
Rancourt is a veteran of the United States Military , having served in the US Army for several years.
Madakkavil is the name of a prominent Tharavadu based at Guruvayoor, in the south Indian state of Kerala. The family of Kiriyathil (warrior) Nairs has a long and illustrious history linking it to the famous Kochu Guruvayoorappan temple.
The clan
Members of the Madakkavil clan can be found all across India and the world. More than 20 different families affix the name 'Madakkavil' to their name. All these families are related to each other by blood. Members of this clan marry other Nair families of similar stature. There is no known history of this family ever following the Sambandam custom of marrying their daughters into Namboothiri families. Until a generation ago, in keeping with the traditions of the Nair community, the Madakkavil Tharavadu followed the marumakkathayam system of matrilineal descent. However, this system has now largely been set aside by the families which come under this Tharavadu. They have de facto become patrilineal.
History
The name "Madakkavil" was conferred on the clan as an honorific by the Zamorin of Calicut. It commemorates an act of conspicuous service to the temple at Guruvayoor and to the state.
In the late 18th century, Tipu Sultan attacked Guruvayoor with the intention of looting the temple which was one of the richest in South India. Guruvayoor and the surrounding areas were part of the realm of the Zamorin of Calicut. . This is when the Zamorin gave the title "Madakkavil" to this Tharavadu. 'Madakkavil' in the Malayalam language means a small structure under water.
Special privileges
As a mark of honour for faving saved the idol and for fighting Tipu, this Tharavadu was accorded a special hereditary status by the Guruvayoorappan temple. As a special honour, any one woman belonging to this Tharavadu has to go to the temple every day, take bath in the temple pond, wear wet clothes (as a symbol of ritual purity), go to a special room allotted inside the temple, boil milk, make curds out of it, and offer the curd for the Uccha Puja of the deity. Furthermore, the Guruvayoorappan temple sends food to the Tharavadu every day of the year, along with a nominal amount of money. The tradition continues till date.
The clan
Members of the Madakkavil clan can be found all across India and the world. More than 20 different families affix the name 'Madakkavil' to their name. All these families are related to each other by blood. Members of this clan marry other Nair families of similar stature. There is no known history of this family ever following the Sambandam custom of marrying their daughters into Namboothiri families. Until a generation ago, in keeping with the traditions of the Nair community, the Madakkavil Tharavadu followed the marumakkathayam system of matrilineal descent. However, this system has now largely been set aside by the families which come under this Tharavadu. They have de facto become patrilineal.
History
The name "Madakkavil" was conferred on the clan as an honorific by the Zamorin of Calicut. It commemorates an act of conspicuous service to the temple at Guruvayoor and to the state.
In the late 18th century, Tipu Sultan attacked Guruvayoor with the intention of looting the temple which was one of the richest in South India. Guruvayoor and the surrounding areas were part of the realm of the Zamorin of Calicut. . This is when the Zamorin gave the title "Madakkavil" to this Tharavadu. 'Madakkavil' in the Malayalam language means a small structure under water.
Special privileges
As a mark of honour for faving saved the idol and for fighting Tipu, this Tharavadu was accorded a special hereditary status by the Guruvayoorappan temple. As a special honour, any one woman belonging to this Tharavadu has to go to the temple every day, take bath in the temple pond, wear wet clothes (as a symbol of ritual purity), go to a special room allotted inside the temple, boil milk, make curds out of it, and offer the curd for the Uccha Puja of the deity. Furthermore, the Guruvayoorappan temple sends food to the Tharavadu every day of the year, along with a nominal amount of money. The tradition continues till date.
Cat Le-Huy (aka "Diz") was born in Germany, raised in Australia and has lived in London, UK. He was held without charge in Dubai between January 26th and March 5th, 2008 after being detained by immigration at Dubai International Airport.
Cat was carrying Melatonin, which is legally sold over-the-counter in Dubai, and this was tested for contraband along with a sample of his urine and 0.003g of what the Dubai authorities believed was (and which allegedly tested positive for) hashish which was found in his bag. Cat maintains that the alleged hashish was simply dirt.
If charged and found guilty Cat would have faced a minimum sentence of 4 years.. He was released 3 days later, and is free to enter Dubai or return there if he wishes.
Friends of Cat ran an extensive online campaign, including a petition, for his release. Press coverage has been extensive due to the campaign and also to Cat's position as a Head of IT at Endemol, creators of the popular .
Cat was carrying Melatonin, which is legally sold over-the-counter in Dubai, and this was tested for contraband along with a sample of his urine and 0.003g of what the Dubai authorities believed was (and which allegedly tested positive for) hashish which was found in his bag. Cat maintains that the alleged hashish was simply dirt.
If charged and found guilty Cat would have faced a minimum sentence of 4 years.. He was released 3 days later, and is free to enter Dubai or return there if he wishes.
Friends of Cat ran an extensive online campaign, including a petition, for his release. Press coverage has been extensive due to the campaign and also to Cat's position as a Head of IT at Endemol, creators of the popular .
Clinton Joseph Mueller is the Executive Director for the Florida Council on Economic Education.
Background
Mueller is a native of Florida. Clinton is son of a middle class family with a history of community involvement. Mueller graduated from Osceola High School in Seminole, Florida. He attended and graduated from Eckerd College.
Career
Mueller began his career early. In 2000, while still in college Mueller led a student group to South Florida to protest voting irregularities. In 2002, Mueller worked for Bill McBride gubernatorial candidate in Florida, husband of Florida Chief Financial Officer Adelaide "Alex" Sink . In 2004, Mueller aided in the production of presidential events for the Kerry/Edwards campaign . In 2005, Mueller left the political arena, joining Habitat for Humanity.
In 2007, Mueller joined the Florida Council on Economic Education.
Awards
Mueller was awarded by the Business Journal as one of the Top 30 Executives Under 30.
Background
Mueller is a native of Florida. Clinton is son of a middle class family with a history of community involvement. Mueller graduated from Osceola High School in Seminole, Florida. He attended and graduated from Eckerd College.
Career
Mueller began his career early. In 2000, while still in college Mueller led a student group to South Florida to protest voting irregularities. In 2002, Mueller worked for Bill McBride gubernatorial candidate in Florida, husband of Florida Chief Financial Officer Adelaide "Alex" Sink . In 2004, Mueller aided in the production of presidential events for the Kerry/Edwards campaign . In 2005, Mueller left the political arena, joining Habitat for Humanity.
In 2007, Mueller joined the Florida Council on Economic Education.
Awards
Mueller was awarded by the Business Journal as one of the Top 30 Executives Under 30.