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__label__cc	0.740249	0.259751	Jayadevan PK Co-founder and writer at FactorDaily. Worked at leading publications. Passionate about startups & technology. Journalism serves an important function in today's world. There is clutter and disinformation all around us. My goal is to write stories honestly and help our readers cut through the clutter. Tell it like it is without fear or favour and ask the hard questions that need to be asked. I've always believed in being out there in the trenches, meeting people and writing stories myself. I believe in making clear disclosures when needed. I'm passionate about the business of technology, startups and the intersection of technology and society. I don't own stock in any companies that I write about. My writings for FactorDaily have complete editorial independence, and neither existing and potential investors, nor existing and potential advertisers or partners, have any influence on what I write. Every time I write about companies where Accel or any of our investors have invested, I will make relevant disclosures. At FactorDaily, every time we write about the companies or people who have any direct connection with our investors, we will provide a direct link to the ethics statement and code of conduct. The tech that makes Swiggy tick — and what’s coming next COMPANIES The tech that makes Swiggy tick — and what’s coming next By Anirban Sen & Jayadevan PK Photography & … Companies April 18, 2019 AI at the core of Google’s new moves on enterprise business At Next 19, Google’s annual shindig for enterprise customers, developers and partners, the company announced a slew of new features making further inroads into the enterprise technology industry, traditionally dominated by services providers and digital transformation companies. India’s bid to harness AI for healthcare In the first week of March, Nikhil S Narayan, a data scientist from Bengaluru made his way to Xi’an, the … Inside Gaana’s plans to fend off Spotify and others Stakes are too high for the 8-year old Gaana to now start losing marketshare to rival music streaming companies in India. Here’s how it plans to fend off competition. Digital India goes to poll in April but key social media challenges are yet to be addressed India’s election watchdog, social media companies and a parliamentary committee have tried to rein in unlawful political advertising, fight fake news and track campaign expenditure on social media. But that may not be enough. Future March 11, 2019 WhatsApp for Business ropes in resellers to add heft to distribution WhatsApp has been partnering with dozens of third-party companies to resell WhatsApp for Business APIs for some months now. Companies March 6, 2019 How Xiaomi is gearing up to become an Internet giant in India Xiaomi’s boardroom plans are quietly being rolled out in India, laying the foundation for a much bigger play that might set it up to become one of the largest diversified technology companies in the country. Companies February 28, 2019 The man from Ukhra helping whistleblowers stay invisible Living in the age of snoops can be difficult. It’s hard enough to escape garden variety profiling, let alone become … Future February 20, 2019 Inside the world of India’s cyborg artists On an evening in late May last year, towards the end of summer in Bengaluru, Harshit Agrawal started thinking about … India has problems that the West does not have and that’s an advantage In this interview, professor Mausam of IIT-Delhi talks about his approach to solving India’s data problem and his work on Markov Decision Process and crowdsourcing. Future February 7, 2019 Dozens of startups are starting to serve Indian casual gamers. But even before they grow big, new and combat-ready competitors are rushing in all the way from the Middle Kingdom. Companies January 31, 2019 Facebook crackdown is pulling the plug on ad transparency tools Facebook’s crackdown on third-party plugins to limit adblockers is hurting political ad transparency as it also shuts down tools built … Opinion January 29, 2019 It could be the battery of the future if this startup succeeds Log9 Materials, the startup with digs close to the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, is, in fact, poised to enter the multibillion-dollar energy sector that’s on the cusp of a change towards cleaner sources of power. Why free software evangelist Richard Stallman is haunted by Stalin’s dream Despite his eccentricities, and views that some might consider extreme, Stallman the idealist, the ultimate free software evangelist, is a crowd-puller even in small-town India.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24548
__label__cc	0.599129	0.400871	CHARACTER MOTIVATIONS Many writers draw up character biographies to strengthen their understanding of their characters and so write about them more convincingly. I sketch out a rough outline of my characters but I tend to focus on their main character trait and what motivates them. Are they corruptible? (Brankaresh, yes - he's a slimy sod; Eileen - no, she's far too proud to be corrupted by anything or anyone). I also "listen" to my characters' voices. Brankaresh sounds like a politician. Eileen is strident but honest, the kind of character that lands themselves right in it. There was no question as to who my main character in The Trouble With Mother was going to be. Someone who lands themselves in it, who is brave, prepared to stand up for what she believes in no matter what the cost to herself - Eileen had to be my "star". I love writing about and for her. Her tagline is hypocrisy is something that happens to other people. She doesn't care that in itself is a hypocritical statement. I quiz myself as to whether my character motivations are strong enough. Are their traits and motives strong enough to carry a story? If they are, I get on with the story. If not, I rethink my characters until their motives are strong enough.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24550
__label__wiki	0.881424	0.881424	Home > Tennis > Schedule > Tournaments > Non Majors > Davis Cup 2020 Davis Cup - Tennis Tournament News & Updates Davis Cup 2014, FRA - CZE - 07.By: Shev123 Latest Forum Threads on Davis Cup Davis Cup semi-final showdown between Murray and Djokovic U.S. Open Tennis Tournament - Streaming, TV & Radio Guide Here is an in-depth guide on watching the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament. Included below is all the options for TV viewing, streaming and radio listeners.U.S. Open Tennis Tournament Watching Guide. This guide includes all the TV channels airing the matches, as well as shows all the cable providers and their current plans that include those channels. Watching the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament on TV & Online For all the options to watch the two-week long event of the Wimbledon grand slam tennis tournament on TV or to stream the event online, use this guide.Wimbledon Tennis Tournament Watching Guide. This resource includes all the TV channels airing the entire tournament, showing all the cable providers that include each channel and which plans include all the channels as well. French Open TV Schedule, Live Streaming Options The French Open tennis tournament plays out over a two week period at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris. To watch this grand slam in it's entirety on TV or to stream online, use this guide.French Open Tennis Tournament Watching Guide. Includes dates, times and all the cable, internet TV and satellite providers that carry the channels airing the French Open. The Hallowed and Pompous Grounds of Wimbledon I want to tell a story. But I don't know where to start. My goal is to summarize the storied history of the Wimbledon tennis tournament. But I only want to do that through a very unique lens. French Open's Roland Garros - Toughest Grand Slam Of Them All In the world of tennis, it all comes down to what the court's surface is made of.This is a quick thought experiment into why the French Open's court surface makes it the most psychically (and psychologically) demanding of all the major Grand Slam tournaments. The Grand Slam Of Tennis, A Feat Few Sports Can Match One could argue that the hardest feat in all of competitive sports is to win a Grand Slam in the sport of tennis, and that is the argument I'm going for in this blog. Here's why.The Australian Open, The French Open, Wimbledon, and The U.S. Open - a tennis player has to win all four of these events in the same category in the same calendar year, to log just one Grand Slam. U.S. Open Fines Player $40k for Quitting Match 15 Year Old Cori Gauff Gave Venus Williams A run For Her Money Who's More Dominant Than Rafael Nadal at the French Open? Federer, Nadal, Serena and Halep in the 2019 French Open 5 Fun Facts About the Australian Open 50 facts for the 50th anniversary of the US Open joetemple Did this US Open umpire go too far by giving a 'pep talk'? Wimbledon (since 2003) - Federer v Nadal v Djokovic v Murray The Serena Williams/Kerber finals rematch at Wimbledon Davis Cup News & Opinion Articles Great Britain and Andy Murray to continue Davis Cup defence on clay vs. Se...Great Britain and Andy Murray to continue Davis Cup defence on clay vs. Se... Wed Apr 20, 2016 \| espn.go.com Great Britain will play their Davis Cup quarterfinal against Serbia on outdoor clay in Belgrade. The tie, from July 15-17, will take place at the 6,100-seat Tasmajdan... Bryan brothers, Murray come up huge in Davis CupBryan brothers, Murray come up huge in Davis Cup Mon Mar 07, 2016 \| espn.go.com Davis Cup creates heroes at a greater rate than perhaps any other tennis event. Mike and Bob Bryan once again led the charge. Isner's serves, leadership lead the way for U.S. in Davis CupIsner's serves, leadership lead the way for U.S. in Davis Cup All indications said the Americans had no business beating the Australians in the opening round of Davis Cup. But the U.S. didn't just win -- it won with ease. Davis Cup: Murray wins in 5 sets, Britain beats JapanDavis Cup: Murray wins in 5 sets, Britain beats Japan Mon Mar 07, 2016 \| sports.inquirer.net Once again, Britain had Andy Murray to thank for a victory in the Davis Cup. Murray recovered from squandering a two-set lead to beat Kei Nishikori and give the defending... Davis Cup Tennis 2016: Final Scores and Results from Round 1 BracketDavis Cup Tennis 2016: Final Scores and Results from Round 1 Bracket Sun Mar 06, 2016 \| bleacherreport.com Andy Murray defeated Kei Nishikori in a five-hour, five-set epic on Sunday as Great Britain beat Japan 3-1 in the opening round of the 2016 Davis Cup, while Australia's... Davis Cup Australia vs US Day 1 Kooyong MelbourneDavis Cup Australia vs US Day 1 Kooyong Melbourne Thu Mar 03, 2016 \| espn.go.com John Isner has given the U.S a perfect start in their Davis Cup World Group first-round tie, defying Australia's Sam Groth, a vocal home crowd and sweltering conditions at... Davis Cup 2016 preview: Order of play, TV schedule, prediction, tickets an...Davis Cup 2016 preview: Order of play, TV schedule, prediction, tickets an... Wed Mar 02, 2016 \| standard.co.uk Andy Murray, Dan Evans, Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot will face Japan in the World Group first round tie looking to seal a place in July's quarter-finals. Andy Murray thrashes David Goffin in Davis Cup dress rehearsal to reach Pa...Andy Murray thrashes David Goffin in Davis Cup dress rehearsal to reach Pa... Thu Nov 05, 2015 \| espn.co.uk Andy Murray issued a statement of intent at the Paris Masters by easily dispatching David Goffin in their Davis Cup final dress rehearsal. British No.1 Murray cruised to a... Davis Cup Videos Rafael Nadal \| US Open 2019 Semi-Final Press Co...Rafael Nadal \| US Open 2019 Semi-Final Press Co... Sat Sep 07, 2019 Rafael Nadal’s Press Conference following his victory over Berrettini in the Semi-Finals of the US Open... Review: Great Britain v JapanReview: Great Britain v Japan Mon Mar 07, 2016 Review all the action from the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round tie between Great Britain... Shot of the Day: David Goffin (BEL)Shot of the Day: David Goffin (BEL) Sun Mar 06, 2016 David Goffin's fabulous get is something to behold and the fact that he hits a lob winner at the same... Highlights: Andy Murray (GBR) v Kei Nishikori (...Highlights: Andy Murray (GBR) v Kei Nishikori (... Watch highlights of the fourth rubber in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round clash... Shot of the Day: Radek Stepanek (CZE)Shot of the Day: Radek Stepanek (CZE) Sat Mar 05, 2016 Radek Stepanek's wonderful overhead winner is our shot of the day for Saturday! Highlights: Milos Raonic (CAN) v Kei Nishikori...Highlights: Milos Raonic (CAN) v Kei Nishikori... Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the largest annual international team competition in world sport. This... Highlights: Leonardo Mayer (ARG) v Joao Souza (...Highlights: Leonardo Mayer (ARG) v Joao Souza (... Watch highlights of the longest-ever Davis Cup singles rubber, which lasted an amazing six hours 43 minutes. Shot of the Day: The BryansShot of the Day: The Bryans Bob and Mike Bryan clinch a crazy rally in the doubles rubber between Great Britain and USA Highlights: Inglot/Murray (GBR) v Bryan/Bryan (...Highlights: Inglot/Murray (GBR) v Bryan/Bryan (...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24555
__label__cc	0.683615	0.316385	Remembering Fr Willie Doyle SJ Fr Doyle’s Life Fr Doyle’s relevance for lay people Fr Doyle’s writings Publications about Fr Doyle Home2017December25 Christmas Day 1890: Fr Doyle decides to become a Jesuit (Post 3 of 3) December 25, 2017 PK Jesuit, Life I was alone in the drawing-room when Father came in and asked me if I had yet made up my mind as to my future career. I answered ‘Yes” – that I intended to become a Jesuit. I remember how I played my joy and happiness into the piano after thus giving myself openly to Jesus. COMMENT: Fr Doyle wrote these words about Christmas Day 1890, on which he told his father that he would become a Jesuit. He was 17. This decision followed several months of discernment. He originally intended to become a diocesan priest and was rather scornful of the idea of entering a religious congregation. However, the influence of his brother, and a book on the religious life by St Alphonsus Liguori, were central to him changing his mind. Two things jump out here. Firstly that played his “joy and happiness into the piano” – how many of us have a similar joy about our Faith and about our own vocation, whatever it may be? If we lack this joy, how do we recover it? It’s also worth noting that Fr Doyle seems never to have lost this joy, even in tough times. Secondly is Fr Doyle’s love of music. He played the piano, and we also know that he played the organ in the church in Dalkey. He also directed the first musical in Clongowes Wood College for some considerable time, and it appears that he took on this task in the face of some scepticism. Interestingly, we hear little of music in Fr Doyle’s later life as a priest, despite his obvious interest in it. Was it that he saw no particular need for it in the apostolic tasks assigned to him? If so, his abandonment of music was just one in a long list of sacrifices he made in the fuilfillment of the duties assigned to him. Christmas at Melrose (Post 2 of 3) December 25, 2017 PK Virtues O’Rahilly’s biography of Fr Doyle is a remarkable source of information about Fr Doyle’s life and spirituality. However, there is another book about Fr Doyle entitled Merry in God. This is sometimes credited to O’Rahilly as well. However, it was published anonymously, and was in fact written by Fr Charles Doyle SJ, Fr Willie’s older brother. Below is a link to a scan of a section in the book dealing with a typical Christmas in the Doyle family home, Melrose. It gives a charming insight into the habits and customs of Fr Doyle’s family in the late 1800’s. It conjures up images of innocence and of a tranquil time that many today sadly do not know. But there is also an astounding fact that one could easily miss…The Doyle family gave gifts and money to the poor of the neighbourhood at Christmas time. Willie and his brother Charlie used to shine the coins so that they would look like new. Just think about this for a moment. Let the kindness and attention to detail sink in… What a hidden, but remarkable, act of kindness! The money was still worth the same amount. Yet the intention behind this small, hidden act, was to give greater dignity to the poor, to show them greater respect. Enjoy! Happy Christmas to all readers of this site! Christmas at Melrose An imagined Victorian Christmas scene Thoughts for Christmas Day from Fr Willie Doyle (Post 1 of 3) December 25, 2017 December 25, 2017 PK Gospel, Jesus What impressed me most in the meditation on the Nativity was the thought that Jesus could have been born in wealth and luxury, or at least with the ordinary comforts of life, but He chose all that was hard, unpleasant and uncomfortable. This He did for me, to show me the life I must lead for Him. If I want to be with Christ, I must lead the life of Christ, and in that life there was little of what was pleasing to nature. I think I have been following Christ, yet how pleasant and comfortable my life has always been ever avoiding cold, hunger, hard work, disagreeable things, humiliations, etc. My Jesus, You are speaking to my heart now. I cannot mistake Your voice or hide from myself what You want from me and what my future life should be. Help me for I am weak and cowardly. Fr Willie Doyle SJ frwilliedoyle AT gmail DOT com Books about Fr Doyle On sale now - click image to purchase On sale now! Click book cover. Click here to buy O'Rahilly's classic biography of Fr Doyle Children's book about Fr Doyle Click here to buy Carole Hope's new biography of Fr Doyle, with special focus on World War 1. Click here to buy the new CTS booklet on Fr Doyle by K.V. Turley. Click here to buy Trench Priest, a 168 page magazine about Fr Doyle Fr Doyle’s famous booklet Vocations The Irish involvement in WW1 Book about the Irish involvement in WW1 EWTN Live interview about Fr Doyle EWTN Life on the Rock interview about Fr Doyle EWTN Bookmark interview about Fr Doyle Fr Doyle on Rome Reports Radio interview about Fr Doyle Video tribute to Fr Doyle Prayer (For Private Use Only) O Jesus, who has given us the example of Your servant, Father William Doyle, graciously grant us the favours we ask You through his intercession...[Make petition.] Teach us to imitate his love for You, his heroic devotion to Your service, his zeal for repairing the outrages done to Your glory and for the salvation of souls. Hear our prayer and show us the credit he now enjoys in heaven so that we may soon be able to venerate him in public worship." Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be This blog seeks to share some daily reflections from the writings of the heroic Jesuit "martyr" Fr Willie Doyle. My hope is that more people can come to know, and learn from, this remarkable man. A more complete explanation of this blog can be found by clicking on Why This Blog? at the top of the page. Comments and emails are welcome. frwilliedoyle at gmail.com Fr Doyle in 1908 Prayer for Priests by Fr Doyle O my God, pour out in abundance Thy spirit of sacrifice upon Thy priests. It is both their glory and their duty to become victims, to be burnt up for souls, to live without ordinary joys, to be often the objects of distrust, injustice, and persecution. The words they say every day at the altar, "This is my Body, this is my Blood," grant them to apply to themselves: "I am no longer myself, I am Jesus, Jesus crucified. I am, like the bread and wine, a substance no longer itself, but by consecration another." O my God, I burn with desire for the sanctification of Thy priests. I wish all the priestly hands which touch Thee were hands whose touch is gentle and pleasing to Thee, that all the mouths uttering such sublime words at the altar should never descend to speaking trivialities. Let priests in all their person stay at the level of their lofty functions, let every man find them simple and great, like the Holy Eucharist, accessible to all yet above the rest of men. O my God, grant them to carry with them from the Mass of today, a thirst for the Mass of tomorrow, and grant them, ladened themselves with gifts, to share these abundantly with their fellow men. Amen. In obedience to the decree of Pope Urban VIII, all that all that is written on this site about Fr. Doyle has no other force or credit than such as is grounded on human authority. Hence no expression or statement is intended to assume the approbation or anticipate the decision of the Church. Recent posts on Remembering Fr Willie Doyle Thoughts for January 20 from Fr Willie Doyle Please pray for a miracle through Fr Doyle's intercession! Fr Doyle's writings Thoughts for the Feast of St Oliver Plunkett (July 1) from Fr Willie Doyle Thoughts for the Feast of Christ the King from Fr Willie Doyle Fr Doyle's Life Fr Doyle links Self-conquest Proud member of a premium Web Directory Site HotVsNot.com We are listed under Christianity Directory	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24557
__label__wiki	0.892218	0.892218	GardensTravel English Garden Follies: Enchanting and Enduring Historic and eccentric garden structures with layers of meaning continue to delight while new variations on classic themes mix seamlessly into the British landscape flowermag January 10, 2020 One of the best-known garden follies, the Temple of Apollo overlooking the 18th-century landscape garden at Stourhead, has been admired for centuries by everyone from art historian and Whig politician Horace Walpole to fans of the 2005 film, Pride & Prejudice. Whether it is an Asian-influenced pavilion, a faux crumbling medieval ruin, or a domed neoclassical temple (picture the one in the rain where a drenched Lizzie Bennet meets up with Mr. Darcy during the climactic scene in the 2005 remake of Pride & Prejudice), garden follies have dotted the British landscape for some 300 years. Despite the not-so-serious-sounding name, these architectural creations are more than just pretty faces. “They had meaning over and above just being delightful,” says Emile de Bruijn from the UK’s National Trust. Think of follies as a sort of three-dimensional 18th-century Instagram—a way for landowners to share their interests in other cultures or in literature, or to make a political statement, suggests de Bruijn: “The structures needed to be attractive and amusing, but there was always a message somewhere.” A red painted chinoiserie-inspired folly pavilion located in a garden in Chieveley (Photo by ©MMGI/Marianne Majerus/Marianne Majerus Garden Images) In theory, a folly is a nonessential building that often serves as a garden focal point or eye-catcher, drawing attention to a desired view and encouraging visitors to explore. While not typically designed to be inhabited, at least not full time, the structures were nonetheless used as getaways—places for parties, private rendezvous, reading, and reflection—and might be equipped to chill wine and perishable fare. Julian and Isabel Bannerman, designers and authors of Landscape of Dreams (Pimpernel Press Limited, 2016), wanted to excite the imaginations of Woolbeding visitors and encourage them to explore the property’s woodland so they installed “ruins,” visible beyond a fanciful chinoiserie bridge, “to create a sense of place, mystery, history, abandonment, and something to grow roses over,” says Isabel. Of course, the concept of a pleasure pavilion in the garden can be traced back to ancient Greece, but it was the British landscape movement of the 18th century, with its penchant for sweeping vistas and meandering paths, that gave rise to a proliferation of fantastical buildings that make “the pulse quicken as a distant tower comes into view at the end of an avenue,” as the late architectural historian Gervase Jackson-Stops wrote. Follies even show up atop bridges, such as this one in Dunsborough Park. (Photo by ©MMGI/Marianne Majerus/Marianne Majerus Garden Images) In the 1740s, at his Wiltshire country villa, Stourhead, Henry Hoare II began mimicking a dreamy scene from a Claude Lorrain landscape painting by surrounding a man-made lake with heaps of strategically placed follies such as the Temple of Flora, an ode to the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. But Britain’s most recognizable 18th-century folly might arguably be the Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens in London—a soaring Chinese-inspired tower designed by architect Sir William Chambers for Princess Augusta in 1762. Sir William Chambers, designer of Kew Gardens’ Great Pagoda, served as architectural tutor to Princess Augusta and her son, George III, and inspired them to build representations of various global styles, such as the iconic Chinese-influenced tower. (Photo courtesy of the Historic Royal Palaces) Like so many grand English gardens, Kew once had numerous follies including the minareted Turkish folly and the Moorish Alhambra. Lee Prosser, buildings curator for Historic Royal Palaces, oversees the current restoration of Kew’s Great Pagoda and is often asked how the 163-foot-tall folly was used: “I have to answer that it was an eye-catcher and a viewing platform only, but there are deeper layers to be explored,” he says. Princess Augusta and her son, the future George III, probably intended their follies to be educational, windows to the broader world. “It was such a bold statement, exemplifying the cosmopolitan eclecticism of the English landscape garden at that point in time, when a Chinese pagoda could happily coexist with a Roman temple,” adds de Bruijn, pointing out that Kew’s Great Pagoda was intended to be an accurate tribute to the porcelain pagoda at Nanjing (although, unfortunately, architect Chambers mistakenly designed his tower with an even 10 stories rather than the odd number deemed luckier by the Chinese). Originally 80 wooden dragons roosted on the Great Pagoda, shimmering like multicolored glass, but the creatures mysteriously vanished after they were removed for maintenance more than two centuries ago. Recently a team of specialists began toiling away with verdigris paint, Prussian-blue pigments, and a touch of gilt to reproduce the dragons. The painted Gothic pavilion designed by Philip Jebb was moved to Woolbeding from another garden. The Bannermans created the cascade close up under it to give it more drama. (Photo courtesy of The National Trust Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo) Smaller in scale is the Chinese House at Stowe, the oldest surviving chinoiserie garden pavilion in Britain, first recorded in 1738 and attributed to designer William Kent. Modern eyes may see a charming, colorfully painted, latticed-windowed building, but for its owner, Viscount Cobham, the pavilion seems to have been a visual jab at British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, according to de Bruijn. Viscount Cobham thought China’s rulers were far more stable and virtuous. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, artists, aristocrats, middle-class tourists, and possibly even Jane Austen were all welcomed at Stowe to see many other follies, too, including Kent’s Temple of British Worthies, which celebrates philosopher John Locke and assorted luminaries. “I think that because of modernism, we have gotten used to things having no meaning beyond their materiality, or endlessly multiple meanings, but in previous centuries there was still a sense that there was a visual language that everyone accepted—even if not everyone understood all of the messages all of the time,” says de Bruijn. The Park Temple at Arundel Castle, designed by the Bannermans, uses naturally-shed antlers in the design. (Photo by ©Isabel and Julian Bannerman and Dunstan Baker, 2016) The Victorian era brought a particularly surreal, tongue-in-cheek approach to garden follies with the Egyptian Court at horticulturist James Bateman’s Biddulph Grange, where visitors still pass through a sphinx-guarded tomb composed of clipped yew and stone, but find themselves exiting on the porch of a mock Cheshire cottage. In Staffordshire at Biddulph Grange, a pair of sphinxes guard the Egyptian Court, one of many internationally-themed garden compartments at the former home of Victorian landowner and garden designer, James Bateman. ©National Trust Images/Jacqui Hurst Similarly, it’s a dreamlike sense of wonder and surprise that typifies the work of contemporary designers Isabel and Julian Bannerman. At first glance, two columned temples situated amongst rugged, moss-covered tree stumps and masses of lush hostas and ferns in the Prince of Wales’ organically maintained Highgrove Royal Gardens appear to have been around for centuries, but a closer look reveals the more recent touch of the Bannermans. Built in 1996, the temples are made of woody, sustainable materials such as wire-brushed, hand-sanded green oak favored over the traditional, more imposing stone, while the triangular pediments are filled with rustic, recycled white roots that washed ashore in Scotland, in lieu of formal relief carvings. A modern-day folly illustrates the Bannermans’ use of sustainable materials such as green oak and, to fill the pediments, weathered roots collected from the Scottish shore. While the temples are representative of follies, Isabel Bannerman is quick to explain, “Julian and I don’t like the word folly because it implies a sense of uselessness, which some people think is the point, but our buildings always have a use. They are vital for the visual design, setting off the plants and often providing verticality instantly, and they make use of discarded, reclaimed, or local materials. Also, in England it is always raining so you need the shelter. The main point of these things is that they take you on a journey.” Nestled in a private garden, a Doric temple, Greek Revival-style folly provides a serene place to rest. (Photo by ©MMGI/Marianne Majerus/Marianne Majerus Garden Images) At Woolbeding—a 26-acre private garden leased from the National Trust by the late philanthropist Simon Sainsbury and his partner Stewart Grimshaw—the Bannermans added an enchanting hermit’s hut and a faux ruined abbey to the grounds’ existing follies. On select days throughout the year, the public is invited to get lost in the garden, perhaps stumbling into the hermit’s hut with its intricately patterned interior crafted from humble woodland materials. In our relatively jaded era, the Bannermans’ garden follies show construction done in harmony with nature, but they also trick the eye, blur boundaries between fantasy and reality, and encourage childlike curiosity. The 18th-century folly architects would certainly approve. By Courtney Barnes Landscape of Dreams by Julian and Isabel Bannerman (Pimpernel Press Limited, 2016) MORE ENGLISH GARDENS TO EXPLORE Gardens of Yorkshire Nancy Lancaster: Haute and Humble Capability Brown’s Gardens Promise of Rose Gardens Jinny Blom, In Full Bloom Next post Santa Barbara with Suzanne Tucker Previous post Make a Statement with Monogrammed Linens Flower Favorites Hometown Guides Arranging with Winter Foliage Growing Orchids at Home Recipe: California Bircher Muesli Quiz: Test Your Flower Knowledge	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24568
__label__wiki	0.594867	0.594867	SUNSISTER IYO Yin Yang GHOST DISC L.E.F. B.E.S. Wall Mounted Lights PIXEL (Basic) PIXEL (Rotating) Free Standing Lights JET LIGHT SPOETNIK Mini Mega SPOETNIK Mega SPOETNIK GHOST SABER Project Lighting FERROLIGHT Design References & Projects Retailers & Agencies Marike and Ferdinand Conquer the World of Lighting Sjeiks in Qatar with lighting from Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht: They exist. Marike and Ferdinand Verbeek sell their light objects all over the world. He is the brain behind the minimalistic, sustainable lighting designs that imitate the brightness of sunlight. She is the creative sidekick, who attends trade shows and maintains contacts. A strong duo, it turns out. In the past year, the profit of their company FERROLIGHT Design has doubled and the number of employees increased from two to six. Last Wednesday, the two opened their very own studio and showroom located on Noordeinde 97, in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. What’s their secret? “Being yourself, determination and following your heart.” Twenty years ago, the couple would never have thought that light would become their source of income. Both Marike and Ferdinand previously worked in the hospitality industry. She graduated from Hotel School; he ran a discotheque and was a DJ. In 1999, a friend asked them to help with the layout of his store. “Can you not make a lamp for me?” The friend asked Ferdinand. It turned out to be an instant hit. His first design, a modern chandelier, the ‘sputnik’, and was immediately sold several more times. The bike shed served as a workplace. “There was no room anymore for the bikes, so we put them outside, under a roof” Marike remembers. Ferdinand went to work with designs, while Marike initially continued to work. Very quickly, the bike shed became too small and the couple decided to take the plunge together. They started their own company in 1999 and built a studio at home. “There were difficult times. We didn’t have a fixed income. I visited ten stores in a week to show our products” says Marike But quality always finds its way to the surface. The FERROLIGHT Design collection is sold nationally and internationally by 85 dealers throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, United States and Canada. The light objects have also aroused the interest of Sheikhs in Abu Dhabi and Qatar. “For example, we have been asked if we can adapt special gold into the design. The products are then transported very carefully” explains Marike. “It is always a bit unsettling as to whether the package arrives undamaged at its destination” Ferdinand adds. They cannot reveal any details regarding the identity of their wealthy buyers. Marike: “Sometimes we get a name through and I Google it. But we have a duty of confidentiality.” After years of working in the studio on the Dorpsstraat, the house felt less and less like home. “I wouldn’t say it was inconvenient, but with a business at home, you miss a bit of privacy” says Marike. In the middle of October, the couple was offered a building by Philip Vellekoop located on the business park of Antoniapolder, and it was exactly to their liking. A month and a half later, the studio was ready. In the presence of family, friends and business relations of the duo, Alderman Floor van de Velde (sustainability) officially opened the building. The light objects are assembled in the studio and on the top floor there is a showroom, where almost all light objects of FERROLIGHT Design are available to be admired. Read further below the photo. The new studio was officially opened on Wednesday November 29th. © Milan Rinck Whoever admires the products of FERROLIGHT Design sees clean, minimalist designs, without too much ‘fuss’. Beautiful light, that’s what Ferdinand’s designs are all about. “I sometimes compare it with a Christmas tree; which is fun for a month, but after that you’re happy when it leaves the house again. Our designs, on the other hand, do not possess anything that you can get bored of in the long run. Other than their beauty, they don’t attract attention or create an obstacle in the interior.” His goal is to achieve a light with a color-rendering index (CRI) of 100 percent, just as sunlight. Sunlight has a complete color spectrum. “Sunlight is the most beautiful light we have” says Marike and Ferdinand. Thanks to new developments, artificial light is improving and is ever closing towards those perfect values. At the moment there is already a LED with a CRI of 98. Which still leaves a nice challenge for lighting designers. Marike and Ferdinand not only have a special goal in their work, but also in private: “It’s our dream to have a house in the sun.” Their dream destination is Ibiza. They celebrated their honeymoon there twenty years ago and often return with their four children. There is a special vibe on that island. It is full of creativity, artists and spirituality”, says Marike. The family hopes to be able to fulfill this dream in 2020. FERROLIGHT Design B.V. 3341 LW Hendrik Ido Ambacht T. +31 (0)78 6813 361 (studio) T. +31 (0)78-6817005 (office) F. +31 (0)78 6819 213 FERROLIGHT Design shines at Noordeinde. Alderman, Floor van de Velde performed the official opening …11 December, 2017 - 8:24 pm AD Newspaper article 5 December 2017: Marike and Ferdinand Conquer the World of Lighting11 December, 2017 - 2:49 pm FERROLIGHT Design participates in STOCKHOLM FURNITURE & LIGHT FAIR (Hall A Stand A03.13)17 November, 2017 - 7:29 am © Copyright - FERROLIGHT Design B.V. 2018 \| Website design by Make it Matter \| Digital Marketing \| Privacy Policy FERROLIGHT Design participates in STOCKHOLM FURNITURE & LIGHT FAIR (Hall... FERROLIGHT Design shines at Noordeinde. Alderman, Floor van de Velde performed...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24574
__label__cc	0.540215	0.459785	Fil Falcon, Professional Golf Teacher, Horseshoe Lake Golf Course, Port Orchard, WA 98367 Playing golf is my passion. Growing the game is my mission. Book Golf Lesson Golf Terms Posted on March 24, 2010 by Fil Falcon Abnormal Ground Conditions: An abnormal ground condition refers to any casual water, ground under repair or hole, cast or runway on the golf course which has been made by a burrowing animal, reptile or bird. Ace: You are said to make an ‘ace’ when you sink your ball in one shot on a par 3 hole. Address: The way that a golfer positions his or her body immediately before hitting the ball. Every golfer has his or her own unique address. Alignment: The way that you position the clubface and line up your body at the address. Amateur: Golf players who play competitive golf but who do not play for prize money. In order to earn prize money from golf tournaments, a player has to compete as a professional. Approach Shot: A shot which aims to place your ball on the green area. Away: You are said to be ‘away’ when you are the farthest distance from the hole. Baby Shot: A shot which is much shorter and softer than would normally be expected from a club which is ordinarily used for that shot. Back Nine: The second half, or last 9 nines holes, of an 18-hole course. Backspin: A reverse spin on a golf ball which has been hit towards a target. Backswing: The initial part of the golf swing which finishes as the club stops moving above your head in preparation for the downswing. Balata: A type of tree sap which was formerly used the manufacture of golf ball covers. Ball In Play: A ball is in play as soon as a player makes a stroke on the teeing ground and remains in play until it is holed, except when it is lost, out of bounds or lifted, or another ball has been substituted, whether or not the substitution is permissible. A ball which is substituted becomes the ball in play. Ball Marker: Any small flat object which is used to mark the position of your ball when it is on the green. Ball Mark Repair Tool: A fork-shaped tool which is used to fix marks made when your ball lands on the green. Baseball Grip: A specific grip used to hold the club in which all 10 of your fingers remain in contact with the club grip. Best Ball: A golf game in which the better score from a 2-person team is counted. Birdie: You are said to make a ‘birdie’ when you sink your ball in one less shot than the par for a specific hole. For instance, if the hole is a par 4 and you sink your ball in only 3 shots then you have made a birdie. Blade: A term which can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun it is used to describe the club head of an iron. As a verb it refers to hitting the ball on its equator with the bottom of the blade. Blocked Shot: A blocked shot occurs when a ball is hit straight ahead by a right handed golfer but then sweeps to the right of the intended target. Bogey: You are said to make a ‘bogey’ when you sink your ball in one more shot than the par for a specific hole. For instance, if the hole is a par 4 and you sink your ball in 5 shots then you have made a bogey. Break: When you are putting on the green and your ball begins to turn, the term break is used to refer to the amount of turn which occurs. Breaking Down: The term breaking down refers to the movement of your wrists as you bend them while putting. Bump & Run: As the name suggests a bump and run describes a ball which is hit into the air flies towards the target and then ‘bumps’ into the ground and ‘rolls’ the rest of the way towards its target. Bunker: A bunker is a hazard area which is filled with sand in his usually sited near the green or on the fairway. Caddie: Caddies are individuals who are paid to carry your golf clubs around the course for you and who are also able offer advice on how to play the course. Carry: The carry is a term which refers to how far your golf ball flies through the air. Cart: A golf carts can either be a small vehicle which players use to drive around the course or a small dolly which travels on 2 wheels and is pulled manually. Casual Water: Casual water refers to puddles of water which have accumulated on a course as a result of rain, as distinct from designed water hazards on a course. Cavity Back Iron: A cavity back iron is a particular type of iron which has the majority of the club head’s weight distributed around its perimeter. The back of the club head is basically just a large cavity and this helps to reduce the mass in both the center and the back of the head, thereby creating a bigger head and a larger ’sweet spot’ on the face. Certified PGA Professional: A certified PGA professional golf player is any individual who has attained or exceeded the golf teaching standards of the Professional Golfer’s Association of America. Check: A check refers to the action of the golf ball as it stops rolling as a result of the amount of backspin on it. Chip: The chip is a shot that is normally played from just off the green. Closed Face: A club face is described as being ‘closed’ when it points to the left of the target (This term is normally applied to right handed golfers). Closed Stance: A closed stance refers to a stance in which your body alignment is facing to the right of your intended target (This term is normally applied to right handed golfers). Club Face: The club face is the bottom part of the golf club which makes contact with the ball. Clubhouse: A clubhouse is normally an indoor area located on a golf course which provides services such as the golf pro shops, restaurants, restrooms and sometimes conference rooms. Collar: The collar, which is similar to a fringe, is the strip of grass which runs around the green and which is usually longer in length than the grass on the putting surface. Coming Over The Top: Coming over the top is a phrase used to describe the movement of the club as it travels through the downswing and into a right-to-left pathway across the ball (for right handed golfers). Another term sometimes for this movement is the out-to-in blow. Compression: Compression refers to the squeezing in of a golf ball when it is impacted by the head of a golf club. Course Rating: Every golf course is given a rating which refers to the degree of difficultly of the course. The higher the course rating, the more difficult the golf course is to play. Crossed Over: Crossed over is the term which describes the shaft of a golf club when it is at the top of the backswing and facing towards the right of the target (for right handed golfers). Cross Handed: A ‘cross handed’ grip is a specific putting grip in which the left hand is positioned below the right hand (for right handed golfers). Cup: The cup is simply another word the hole in the green which is the ultimate target for the golf ball. Cupped Lead Wrist: A cupped lead wrist refers to a backward bend in your lead hand when you strike the ball. The lead hand is the hand which is nearest to the hole once you are set up for your swing. (For a right handed golfer the lead hand is the left hand) Cut: A cut is another term for a shot which bends towards the right (for right handed golfers). Deloft: ‘Delofting’ a club is simply decreasing the amount of loft on the club face by tilting your club shaft in the direction of your target. Dimple: Dimples are small indentations which cover the surface of a golf ball. Divot: A divot is a small piece of turf which is removed by your golf club when you hit a ball. Divots should be repaired (replaced) as a matter of basic golf course etiquette. Dogleg: A ‘dogleg’ refers to the curved pathway (right or left) from the tee to the cup. Double Bogey: You are said to make a ‘double bogey’ when you sink your ball in two more shots than the par for a specific hole. For instance, if the hole is a par 4 and you sink your ball in 6 shots then you have made a double bogey. Double Eagle: The double eagle describes the completion of a hole in 3 shots under par. Downhill Lie: A downhill lie refers to a stance in which your front foot is below your back foot when you are addressing the ball. Draw: A draw describes a shot which bends to the left (for right handed golfers). Drive: The drive is the initial shot on each hole which is taken from the tee. Driver: The driver is the longest club in your golf bag and is the club which gives you greater distance than any other golf club. Driving Range: A driving range is an off-course facility which is designed to allow golfers to practice their swing. Driving ranges has individual ‘booth-like’ areas from which you can practice hitting balls as long and as far as you want. In some cases driving ranges also have areas for you to practice your short game. Drop: A drop is the practice of returning your ball to the course by dropping it onto the playing surface after it has been hit out of bounds or into an area from which it is unplayable. Duff: To duff is simply to miss or totally mess up a shot. Eagle: You are said to make an ‘eagle’ when you sink your ball in two less shots than the par for a specific hole. For instance, if the hole is a par 5 and you sink your ball in only 3 shots then you have made an eagle. You can also ‘eagle’ a par 3 hole but, in this case, you are said to have made an ‘ace’. Executive Course: An executive course is a small 9-hole par 3 course that can be played in under 2 hours. Explosion Shot: An explosion shot is a bunker shot which sends an ‘explosion’ of sand flying through the air. Fade: A fade is a shot which sends the ball veering slightly to the right (for right-handed golfers). Fairway: The fairway is the entire in-bounds distance which runs from the tee to the green and which is kept neatly trimmed. Fat: A ‘fat’ occurs whenever your clubface strikes the ground before hitting the ball. Flagstick: The flagstick is the flagged pole that rests inside the cup to mark the position of the hole on each green. Flex: Flex refers to the amount of bend within the shaft of a golf club. Flier Lie: A flier lie is the lie that you have after you take a swing and too much grass comes between the ball and your clubface. This also has a tendency to reduce the amount of backspin on the ball. Flop Shot: This is a form of pitch shot which shoots the ball high up into the air after which it falls short and lands softly. Follow Through: Having taken your swing and made contact with the ball, the ‘follow through’ refers to the subsequent movement of your club and your body. Forecaddie: A forecaddie is an individual employed by the Committee to indicate the position of balls to players during play and is an outside agency. Fore: The word ‘fore’ is shouted loudly as a warning signal when a ball is hit and heading in the direction of another player. Forms of Match Play: Single. A match where one player plays against another player. Threesome. A match where one player plays against two other players and where each side plays one ball. Foursome. A match where two players play against two other players and where each side plays one ball. Three-Ball. Three players play a match against one another with each playing his own ball. In effect, each player is playing two distinct matches. Best-Ball. A match where one player plays against the better ball of two other players or the best ball of three other players. Four-Ball. A match where two players play their better ball against the better ball of two other players. Forms of Stroke Play: Individual. A competition where every competitor plays as an individual. Foursome. A competition where two competitors play as partners and play one ball. Four-Ball. A competition where two competitors play as partners with each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is taken as the score for the hole. If one partner does not complete the play on a hole then there is no penalty. Fringe: The fringe is a collar of grass which surrounds the green in which the length of this grass is typically shorter than that of the fairway but longer than the green itself. Front Nine: The first half, or first 9 nines holes, of an 18-hole course Gimme: A ‘gimme’ occurs when your ball lies on the green so close to the hole that your playing partner does not require you to actually hit the ball in. Glove: Golfers typically wear a glove on their lead hand to help their grip. Grain: The grain refers to the direction in which the grass on the green is growing. Green: The green area is a closely mowed area on which the hole is situated. It is also referred to as the putting surface. Green In Regulation: This is a term used for getting your ball onto the green in one shot on a par 3 hole, in two shots on a par 4 hole, or in three shots on a par 5 hole. Greens Fee: This is the sum of money charged for playing a round of golf. Grip: The grip refers to either the manner in which you hold your club or the rubber covering on the shaft of a club where you place your hands. Grooves: Grooves are the etched lines on the face of the club which are designed to help you to put the desired backspin on the ball. Ground Under Repair: Ground under repair refers to any part of the course marked as such by order of the Committee. All of the ground (and any tree, bush, grass or other growing thing) within the ground under repair are deemed to be part of the ground under repair. Ground under repair includes such things as material piled for removal or a hole made by a greenkeeper. Grass cuttings and other similar material left on the course which have been abandoned and which it is not intended to remove are not considered to be ground under repair unless so marked. Handicap: A handicap is a system of adjustment to the score system so that golfers of different skill levels can compete with one another without the better players dominating the game. Hard Pan: Hard pan refers to areas of ground on the golf course that are extremely hard-packed. Hazard: Hazards are area of the golf course (typically sand and water) which are designed to make life difficult for players. Hole: The hole (or cup) is the ultimate target for the golf ball on each hole. Holed Out: A player is said to ‘hole out’ when his ball enters the hole. Honor: To be ‘given the honor’ is to be granted the privilege of playing first within your group. Hook: A hook shot is a shot which bends to the left (for right-handed golfers). Hosel: The hosel is the part of the clubhead which attaches it to the shaft of the club. Impact: Impact refers to the moment at which that you hit the ball and the clubface ‘impacts’ the ball. Impediment: An impediment is loose debris around the ball which is obstructing your shot and which can be moved away from your ball. Interlocking Grip: This is a form of grip in which the index finger of one hand is ‘interlocked’ with the small (pinky) finger of the other hand. Iron: An iron is a club which uses a metallic blade for the clubhead. Most golfers carry in the region of 8-10 irons which range from a number 2 iron to a sand wedge. Each club is designed to provide a different degree of loft on the ball. Lag Putt: A lag putt is a long putt the goal of which is to have the ball stop within a short distance (typically 2 feet or less) of the hole. Laid Off: This occurs when the club shaft is pointing to the left of the target at the top of the backswing (for right-handed golfers). Lateral Water Hazard: A lateral water hazard is a water hazard or that portion of a water hazard which is situated so that it is impossible, or impracticable, to drop a ball behind the water hazard. All of the ground and water within the margin of a lateral water hazard are considered to be part of the lateral water hazard. Lay Up: This term refers to a shot which is deliberately intended to fall short of the green in order to avoid getting into trouble. Lie: The lie is the position of your ball following a shot and, in particular, refers to the condition of the ground in the area in which the ball has landed. Line of Play: The line of play is the direction which a player wants his ball to take after playing a stroke, together with a reasonable distance on either side of the intended direction. The line of play is considered to extend vertically upwards from the ground, but does not however extend beyond the hole. Line of Putt: The line of putt is the line that a player wants his ball to take following a stroke on the putting green. The line of putt includes a reasonable distance on either side of the intended line but does not extend beyond the hole. Lip Out: A lip out occurs when the golf ball travel right up to the hole and teeters on the edge of the cup but, instead of dropping into the hole, rolls back from the hole. Loft: Loft can refer to the angle that the head of a golf club with the ground and to the relative height to which a particular club will hit the ball. Loose Impediments: Loose impediments are natural objects including leaves, twigs, branches, stones, dung, worms and insects (and the casts and heaps made by them) which are not growing or fixed, solidly embedded or ahering to the ball. Lost Ball: A ball is said to be lost if: It is not found (or identified as his) by the player within five minutes after the player, his partner(s) or caddies(s) have begun to search for it. The player has hit a provisional ball from the spot where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place. The player has put another ball into play under the penalty of stroke and distance. The player has put another ball into play because it is known or almost certain that the ball has been moved by an outside agency, is in an obstruction, is in an abnormal ground condition or is in a water hazard. The player has made a stroke at a substituted ball. Marker: A marker is an individual who is appointed by the Committee to record a competitor’s score in stroke play. A marker may be a fellow competitor. The role of the marker is solely to record the competitor’s score and he is not a referee. Matchplay: This term refers to the original manner in which golf was played, which was on a hole-to-hole basis. The player with the lowest score on the first hole is the winner of that hole and goes ‘one up’. If that player is then the winner on the second hole then he goes ‘two up’ and this scoring pattern continues for each hole thereafter. Should you lose a hole then you go ‘down one’ and if a hole is tied you then ‘halve’ the hole. The outcome of the matchplay is decided by how many holes you are either up or down by in relation to the number of holes left. For instance, if you are 4 up with only 3 holes left in the game then you are the winner of the match. Mulligan: A mulligan is an illegal second attempt at a shot which went wrong. Municipal Course: This is a golf course which is both owned and operated by the local authority and is also often referred to as a ‘muni’. Nuked Shot: A nuked shot is a shot which is hit far harder and longer than you would normally hit the ball with a particular club. Nearest Point Of Relief: The nearest point of relief is the reference point used for taking relief without a penalty from interference by an immovable obstruction, an abnormal ground condition or a wrong putting green. Neutral Grip: This grip is one in which a right-handed golfer is able to see 2 knuckles of the left hand when looking down at the grip during address. Neutral Stance: This stance is one in which both feet are in line and parallel to the target line. Observer: An observer is an individual who is appointed by the Committee to assist a referee in deciding questions of fact. An observer is also responsible for reporting any breach of a Rule. Obstruction: An obstruction is anything which is artificial (including the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths and manufactured ice) except: Objects defining out of bounds areas, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings. Any portion of an immovable artificial object which is out of bounds. Any construction which is declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course. An obstruction is said to be a movable obstruction if it can be moved without undue effort, without overly delaying play and without causing damage. Open Face: The club is said to have an ‘open’ face when it is aligned to the right of the target line (for right-handed golfers). Open Stance: This stance in one in which your body alignment points towards the left of the target when set up (for right-handed golfers). Out-of-Bounds: This is the area which is outside of the course and which is often marked with white stakes. Out-to-in Blow: This term is simply another way of saying ‘Coming Over The Top’ which describes the movement of the club as it travels through the downswing and into a right-to-left pathway across the ball (for right handed golfers). Outside Agency: In match play, an outside agency is any agency other than either the player’s or opponent’s side, any caddie of either side, any ball played by either side at the hole being played or any equipment of either side. In stroke play, an outside agency is any agency other than the competitor’s side, any caddie of the side, any ball played by the side at the hole being played or any equipment of the side. An outside agency includes a referee, a marker, an observer and a forecaddie. Wind nor water are not considered to be outside agencies. Partner: A partner is a player who is associated with another player on the same side. In threesome, foursome, best-ball or four-ball play, where the context so admits, the word player is taken to include his partner or partners. Penalty Stroke: A penalty stroke is one which is added to the score of a player or side as specified within the rules. When playing in a threesome or foursome, penalty strokes do not affect the order of play. Provisional Ball: A provisional ball is a ball played for a ball which may be lost outside a water hazard or which may be out of bounds. Putting Green: The putting green is all of the ground surrounding the hole being played which is specially prepared for putting or otherwise defined as such by the Committee. A ball is said to be on the putting green when any part of the ball touches the putting green. Referee: A referee is an individual appointed by the Committee to accompany players in order to decide questions of fact and to apply the rules. He is obliged to act on any breach of a rule which he observes or which is reported to him. A referee ought not to attend the flagstick, stand at or otherwise mark the position of the hole, or lift a ball or mark its position. Rub of the Green: A rub of the green is said to occur when a ball which is in motion is accidentally deflected or stopped by an outside agency. Stance: A player is said to be taking his stance when he places his feet in position for and in preparation of making a stroke. Stipulated Round: The stipulated round consists of playing the holes of the course in their correct order (unless otherwise authorized by the Committee) and the number of holes in a stipulated round is 18 (unless a smaller number is authorized by the Committee). Stroke: A stroke is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball. Should a player check his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball then he has not made a stroke. Substituted Ball: A substituted ball is a ball which is put into play in place of the original ball which was in play, lost, out of bounds or lifted. Tee: A tee is simply a device which is designed to raise the ball off the ground. A tee must not be longer than 4 inches and it must not be either designed or manufactured in a manner which would enable it to indicate the line of play or to influence the movement of the ball. Teeing Ground: The teeing ground is the starting point for each hole. It is a rectangular area of ground two club lengths in depth the front and sides of which are defined by two tee-markers. Through The Green: Through the green refers to the whole area of the course except for the teeing ground, the putting green of the hole being played and any hazard areas. Water Hazard: A water hazard is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether or not it contains water) and anything of a similar nature on the course. Posted in Golf Terms \| Tagged Abnormal Ground Conditions, Ace, Address, Alignment, Amateur, Away, Baby Shot, Back Nine, Backspin, Backswing, Balata, Ball In Play, Ball Mark Repair Tool, Ball Marker, Baseball Grip, Best Ball, Birdie, Blade, Blocked Shot, Bogey, Break, Breaking Down, Bump & Run, Bunker, Caddie, Carry, Cart, Casual Writier, Cavity Back Iron, Cerified PGA Professional, Check, Chip, Closed Face, Closed Stance, Club Face, Clubhouse, Collar, Coming OVer The Top, Compression, Course Rating, Cross Handed, Crossed Over, Cup, Cupped Lead Wrist, Cut, Deloft, Dimple, Divot, Dogleg, Double Bogey, Double Eagle, Downhill lie, Draw \| Leave a reply Paperback version Updated ebook Breaking 300 Published my first book… Abnormal Ground Conditions Ace Address Alignment Amateur Away Baby Shot Back Nine Backspin Backswing Balata Ball In Play Ball Marker Ball Mark Repair Tool Baseball Grip Best Ball Birdie Blade Blocked Shot Bogey Break Breaking 300 Breaking Down Bump & Run Bunker Caddie Carry Cart Casual Writier Cavity Back Iron Cerified PGA Professional Check Chip Closed Face Closed Stance Club Face Clubhouse Collar Coming OVer The Top Compression Course Rating eBook Hook Paperback Slice spatialscanners.net on Updated ebook Breaking 300 Karla Kjellberg on Published my first book… DG511 Software on Updated ebook Breaking 300 Fil Falcon, Professional Golf Teacher, Horseshoe Lake Golf Course, Port Orchard, WA 98367 Facebook Fil Falcon, Professional Golf Teacher, Horseshoe Lake Golf Course, Port Orchard, WA 98367 Twitter Fil Falcon, Professional Golf Teacher, Horseshoe Lake Golf Course, Port Orchard, WA 98367 YouTube Copyright © 2011-2020 Fil Falcon, Professional Golf Teacher, Horseshoe Lake Golf Course, Port Orchard, WA 98367. 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__label__wiki	0.774245	0.774245	U.S. FDA approves Biogen's hemophilia A drug Eloctate Reuters June 6, 2014 (Updates with comment from company, FDA, background) By Toni Clarke WASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it approved Biogen Idec Inc's long-lasting hemophilia A drug, Eloctate, adding another product to the company's nascent portfolio of drugs for non-malignant blood disorders. Hemophilia A is a rare, inherited blood-clotting disorder that can lead to prolonged bleeding, bruising and joint and tissue damage. It is caused by deficient levels in the body of factor VIII, a protein needed to clot the blood. The FDA's ruling followed its approval in March of Biogen's hemophilia B treatment, Alprolix. Biogen developed both drugs with Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, or Sobi, and expects the products to form the basis of a new non-malignant blood disorder portfolio. "We see Alprolix and Eloctate as the anchor tenants in a growing franchise," said Douglas Williams, Biogen's head of research and development. "We're in this space to stay." Biogen's biggest products are currently the multiple sclerosis drugs Avonex, Tecfidera and Tysabri. Eloctate is expected to generate annual sales of $1.5 billion by 2019, according to the average estimate of six analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. Sales of Alprolix are expected to generate annual sales of $286 million over the same time period. Current treatments for hemophilia B generate about $1 billion a year, according to Biogen, while the market for hemophilia A therapies is worth about $6 billion. Hemophilia A is the more common form of the disease, affecting about 16,000 people in the United States, Biogen said. Hemophilia B affected about 4,000 people. Hemophilia drugs must be infused two to three times a week to prevent bleeding episodes. Eloctate cuts the number of doses needed per week to between three and five days. Biogen has not set a price for the drug, but Tony Kingsley, head of commercial operations, said the cost for patients who switch from a short-acting product to Biogen's longer-acting product should be roughly the same, even though they will be dosing themselves less frequently. Last month, Weston, Massachusetts-based Biogen and Stockholm-based Sobi said they would donate hemophilia drugs for use in developing nations in quantities large enough to treat tens of thousands of patients over the next decade. The drugs will primarily be used in those nations for emergency treatments rather than preventative care. (Reporting by Toni Clarke; Editing by Sandra Maler and Peter Cooney) Elon Musk says Tesla received 200,000 orders for cybertruck White House plans to object House impeachment probe, Joe Biden raises $15.2M in Q3 Talespin CEO Kyle Jackson on the future of work Racial inequality persists in health care, but this insurance plan is narrowing the gap Why we should celebrate the end of the unicorn Hedge Funds on track for more closures than launches On Sesame Street, money lessons start early. Just ask Elmo! One critical lesson to remember before investing in the next decade How to Snack for Better Health Roku debuts $179 Smart Soundbar and $179 Wireless Subwoofer Morgan Stanley reports that Apple TV+ could be a $9B business Should You Trust a Rapid Diagnostic Test?	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24578
__label__cc	0.51353	0.48647	EVERSPACE FORUM EVERSPACE WEBSITE EVERSPACE 2 WEBSITE Home › EVERSPACE › GAMEPLAY (ES1) Why I don't like Perks Deathpact Member Posts: 29 April 2017 in GAMEPLAY (ES1) I don't like perks ! I think they are useless in making the game more fun and the runs more purposeful I mean the fighting in space and exploring is by no means more fun with a high end ship/ pilot than without. The perks system just feels like grinding and an easy / fake way to make the game last longer with the same content. It is not in the Roguelike spirit. What Roguelikes are about is git gud if you want to go further and the learning curve / difficulty needs to be balanced accordingly. You don't get to go further if you keep sucking at the game just because you played enough to amass enough gold to make the game too easy for your ship (not for yourself) So in the beggining because you are bad and your ship is bad and after a wile the first levels feel too simple because you got better and your ship too. I believe it make the game's balance less interesting / Dynamic. Instead of balancing the ennemies VS players skill it has to be balanced vs the perks too. So without perks it might be impossible to win wile it could feel too simple with full perks... I think Perks are lost opportunity for ship equipment diversity : The sensor upgrade that lets you have more info on the map could be a bonus you pick up and install on your shield. The Relations with GB could be gotten through missions/ saving their ships from an attack etc... Having room for one more secondary weapon could be made during the run in a service station etc... Giraffasaur Moderator, Space Cat Posts: 1,102 Hello @Deathpact ! Thank you for your post; I hear what you're saying, and I agree that this is a mechanic not overly common in roguelike games. However, I think we should look at one particular influence of Everspace's development. One of the games that influenced Everspace is known as Rogue: Legacy, a 2D fantasy hack'n'slash roguelike platformer experience. At first it sounds like the only thing in common with this game is that it is a roguelike, but it goes beyond that. Through the game of Rogue: Legacy, the player collects Coins from a Castle and uses tem to acquire new artisans, classes, and upgrades. These coins must be spent before the next run, as any that are held onto when entering the Castle again will vanish. Enhancement-like items are acquired through challenges within the Castle's walls, aiding the player further for delving into it's secrets. The more the player unlocks, the more the player is capable of doing in any given run. This diversifies the game and builds up to an all-powerful character that is armed to the teeth. Everspace uses a similar mechanic of progression. I have been thoroughly playtesting the experience and can assure you the game is beatable without any Perks on Hard mode with at least the Interceptor and the Scout. (Gunship is very difficult without Perks, but I'm getting close and am confident those more skilled than myself could accomplish this feat.) I mention this to signify that, technically, Perks don't have to be obtained in order to complete the game. They are perks (literally) that add to your successive runs, not requirements. Putting the time and energy into the game to unlock all of the powerful Perks, Blueprints, and Enhancements does create more options for the player, opening up possibilities and creating an ease of access to areas too difficult before. I feel like this is healthy game design, as it directly rewards the player for their commitment. Something Rogue: Legacy did not have was Difficulty Selection. For a more challenging experience in Everspace, you can choose Hard mode. Or, if things are too difficult even from the very beginning, you can choose Easy mode. This is not a very roguelike mechanic either, but it's sure nice to have. Furthermore, if the game scaled it's difficulty along with how many Perks the player has, it's hard to say there's any real progression at all. If the player ship gains 5% more hullpoints, and all the enemies deal 5% more damage because of this change, is there really a difference? Everspace Perks were designed and implemented the way they are because they are meant to make a difference, helping the player progress. All in all, I think this mechanic is a matter of preference. Similar to you, I'm a huge advocate of the "git gud" design presented by more traditional roguelikes like FTL, Enter the Gungeon and Risk of Rain. But I enjoy Everspace because it brings fourth a progressive system that allows the player to "level up" in specific areas of their choosing to benefit them completely. And everyone loves leveling up. All in all, if you enjoy gittin gud, you can do that in Everspace. If you enjoy leveling up and opening up possiblities, you can do that in Everspace, too. Foraven Member Posts: 121 I too dislike how difficulty gets way down as we invest in more perks (and collect blueprints). I think perks should open new possibilities rather than be permanent buffs that makes things easier. As many players have proven, it is possible to finish a run without any perks (i'm not that skilled yet). Investing in perks only makes runs easier and easier to pull off. At some point perks makes things so easy we need a major blunder to not finish a run. Alright, I have a suggestion, though it is VERY bold and (if implemented) would very likely push back the release date. What if Perks always started blank every run, but were purchased at the end of every Sector? Costs of various Perks would have to be altered, but I think this presents solutions to some of the current progression issues and could do a lot of good by shaping your playthrough EVERY RUN. Giraffasaur said: That would be a massive change from how the game currently is, doubt the devs would gladly change their game this much. That said i would like to be able to buy/find perk like upgrades during the run. I don't think it should be limited to the end of the sector though. My suggestion for limiting the player to upgrade at the end of each Sector is vital to pace the player's upgrades. Perhaps this might not be enough, though...maybe they could also purchase Perks at Service Stations and/or Traders? It would be nice to have traders trade in stuff we can't normally find elsewhere. Most of the time they don't have anything i want or need. If they were selling perk like upgrades (lasting only for the current run), we would now have the dilemma of choosing between upgrading for the current run or having a permanent upgrade at the end... ROCKFISH_Andi Administrator Posts: 1,138 Like @Giraffasaur pointed out, it was the plan from the start of the project to have a perk system close to Rogue Legacy. We were trying to make the game less frustrating in comparison to "truer" rogue-likes with real permadeath and thus appeal to a bigger audience. I think despite of the perks the main progress in the game still comes from getting skilled by playing and playing and "getting gud". However, the perk system has the effect that you immediately come back a little stronger and from what we've seen this seems to be a strong motivation for most people to have "that one more go". Having said all this, it was also our plan from the start to have a "harcdoce mode" with real permadeath. Unfortunately we did not have the time to work on it, yet. However we have added the hard difficulty in the meantime to give skilled players a bigger challenge and we still plan on implementing the hardcore mode. Most likely without any perks or the ability to just choose a few before each run and no permanent progression (meaning true permadeath). We're really looking forward to this ourselves. I'm really looking forward to Hardcore mode, as well. I think this will be the definitive roguelike experience that is being craved from the conversations happening here. Thank you for your post @ROCKFISH_Andi and the clarity it brings; I'm also glad the team doesn't have to rework the entire Perk system. ROCKFISH_Andi said: However, the perk system has the effect that you immediately come back a little stronger and from what we've seen this seems to be a strong motivation for most people to have "that one more go". Yeah, it has that effect. But one issue that comes with how the perks are set up is all the challenges of the game are gradually removed. We not only get more powerful, we also get more loot, can craft more stuff, know how hard areas are, if there is an anomaly, where to find traders and stations, get the chance of recovering previous run gears... All that eventually kills the fun of doing a run since we gradually have all the tools to overcome with ease any challenges the game throw at us. Foraven said: All that eventually kills the fun of doing a run since we gradually have all the tools to overcome with ease any challenges the game throw at us. I would like to stress that even a fully Perked-out, Enhancement-capped, Glyph-acquired, Loadout-unlocked, Blueprint-wielding completionist of a pilot will still find unexpected troubles on Hard mode. I have had runs get snubbed in early parts of Sector 3, and I've been plowed into the ground with unexpected challenges in Sector 6. Having everything available gives you a lot more tools at your disposal and does make runs easier, I can't argue with that. But from my own experiences I cannot say the challenge has diminished so much that it is no longer fun. I'm a very competitive person and love overcoming great odds, and Everspace's late-game still delivers. That said, I'm glad there will be the addition of Hardcore mode for an even greater challenge. I do have a potential suggestion, as well. This might sound a lot like the plans for Hardcore mode, so it might be a moot point...but I digress. In the hangar, on the difficulty selection screen, it would be really cool to have a tick box for "No Perks." This way, you could disable all your Perks without losing the progress you've made on your current save. There could be some kind of added bonus to this challenge to incentivize it's use, as well. Maybe it adds an additional 25% Credit bonus through the run, or maybe it gives you nothing but the satisfaction of a challenge. Yeah, i know what you mean, even at medium there are times we can get run over despite having all the tools at our disposal. I don't consider myself good enough for the hard mode, my twitch skills are not up for it. What i argue about is the game offer us too many means to skip challenges, or craft our way out of it. Yeah, we can still screw up or get overwhelmed when we least expect it. But what i like is having to think, to make plans on how i'm going to tackle a problem. But a lot of it is lost once i can just craft whatever i need on the fly and have tools that can solve any problem without the need to struggle for it. Also, there is always a point where we can skip difficult areas because there is nothing we actually need from it. What i argue about is the game offer us too many means to skip challenges, or craft our way out of it. Yeah, we can still screw up or get overwhelmed when we least expect it. But what i like is having to think, to make plans on how i'm going to tackle a problem. But a lot of it is lost once i can just craft whatever i need on the fly and have tools that can solve any problem without the need to struggle for it. That is completely understandable...and what it sounds like Hardcore Mode will be providing. Also, there is always a point where we can skip difficult areas because there is nothing we actually need from it. Yes, but I think that's fairly common in roguelikes due to the nature of randomly generated levels. It's much more common to face unbeatable odds or lacking crucial resources than having the opportunities to skip unwanted challenges though. I would like to talk about FTL once more. You never skip any area, especialy in hard mode. Why ? because you are playing against the clock. And you need all the levels you can to amass more scrap more weapons etc... It is very rare to reach a "perfect state" in FTL at least in hard mode. I think it is one impoirtant way to keep tension from falling flat in the middle of the run. But that requires very much work on balance issues. And to accept that some runs will just fail. Deathpact said: Yeah, that's what is missing in Everspace. We have a clock to beat but no reason to milk every areas we go to once we have plenty of resources and the gears we need to beat the run. I can agree that at a certain point in the run everything becomes accessible, though one could argue the player put in the time and energy to acquire all those resources to get to that point. It's also possible to speedrun your way through the Sectors and get caught in a bind because the player didn't take the time scavenging for resources. THAT SAID, I think I may have another solution. Resources could be scaled depending on what Sector the player is in (similarly to FTL)? This way, you can spend time early to collect resources OR you can risk it to pick up greater number later. Strategy of exploration starts becoming a factor, and you can't get overpowered early (but still reap some nice benefits). Mr. Magniloquent Member Posts: 20 I personally like how the game plays now. In the first few runs, the game can have a very steep learning curve. The perks act as an adequate carrot to work through that difficulty. To me, the rate of acquiring perks is fairly linear with the required skill to succeed in the game. They overall enhance the enjoyment of the game for me. This is particularly true with respect to devices. If you could only possess base energy capacity and regeneration rate, you wouldn't be able to use devices (let alone upgraded ones) without crippling your ability to do anything else. The fully upgraded crafting/resource perks are what make blueprints practical. Crafting is good because it provides incentive to explore, while simultaneously providing flexibility and consistency to the player. For the most part, I feel that all of the perks are very supportive of the game play design and work to both reward the player and enable pursuit of greater challenges in a well paced manner. By the time you have all the perks for at least one ship, you're almost assured to have become too skilled to play on normal. I consider myself to be very good at this game. Even fully upgraded--I need to pay attention on Hard and not be careless. It only takes one mistake. I like the perk system as is, and would be hesitant to alter it radically. Ohlordlylord555 Member Posts: 14 There is nothing wrong with the Perk System. Everyone loves leveling up and being able to modify their ship to their needs an their own style of game play. Taking away anything at this point would Drastically change the game and would totally ruin it for me. Having Perks and being able to customize my ship before, during and after each run is apart of the replayability so changing any of that would make it less playable. I believe at this point and moving foward things only need to be added and upgraded. Too many unnecessary modifications and or any subtractions from the game would ruin the game. Ohlordlylord555 said: I strongly agree. Though, I'm excited to see Hardcore Mode mix up the formula for more traditional roguelike enthusiasts, as well. Ooooh Yeah, Hardcore mode sounds very exciting and I can't wait for all the action to come. I love the idea of having different game modes to choose from. Hopefully it will be At Least 3 different modes to choose from. troopi Member Posts: 83 When I started playing, even normal mode was too tough. I had to play some in easy mode, because dying after 3 or 5 areas was just too lacking in fun. And that's the reason I play any game. For fun. And I suppose many players are like that. So, if some find it easy to beat the game in normal mode, many will find it hard, even with all the perks. It's just human nature. We're all players, but not all have the same skills, the same reflexes, the same ability. Does that mean the weaker ones cannot play everspace because the game is only for hardcore players? I don't think so. The game, as it is, is perfectly shaped for a wide range of players (with more or less skill). And they all can have their share of fun. The only thing really missing is the hardcore mode with permadeath, for those players that are so good, that everything else feels easy for them. WjndWalk3r Member Posts: 13 I have a very simple solution for soft and hardcore here. How about we can choose to enable or disable each of every perk we had, upgraded before (if you not purchased it, you cannot turn it on or of). For normal people, we can enjoy the game as it is. If anyone find out the Hard mode still not enough for them, just disable whatever perk you think it's OP or make things is easy. It's make it enjoyable for all kind of player when Rockfish have plan for an Hardcore mode, and you guys can still improve the perk system to balance the game for all people. WjndWalk3r said: How about we can choose to enable or disable each of every perk we had, upgraded before (if you not purchased it, you cannot turn it on or of). For normal people, we can enjoy the game as it is. If anyone find out the Hard mode still not enough for them, just disable whatever perk you think it's OP or make things is easy. It's make it enjoyable for all kind of player when Rockfish have plan for an Hardcore mode, and you guys can still improve the perk system to balance the game for all people. I think having the ability to activate/deactivate ANY Perk could get tedious, and may also cause some players grief if accidentally deactivating Perks before runs (or forgetting they are deactivated). It might be better if the activation/deactivation was a single selection...but we might be getting ahead of ourselves with Hardcore mode in the works, anyway. All in all, I do like the continued suggestions and the conversations that follow. You guys are rockstars. 42 EVERSPACE 2 NEWS (ES2) 17 GENERAL DISCUSSION (ES2) 16 SUGGESTIONS (ES2) 6 TECHNICAL SUPPORT (ES2) 2 OFF-TOPIC (ES2) 13 EVERSPACE 57 NEWS (ES1) 94 GAME WORLD (ES1) 636 GAMEPLAY (ES1) 1.3K HARDWARE & SYSTEM (ES1) 110 KICKSTARTER & OTHER SUPPORTERS (ES1) 258 COMMUNITY (ES1) 71 OFF-TOPIC (ES1) EVERSPACE and EVERSPACE 2 are brought to you by ROCKFISH Games GmbH - Eduardstraße 46-48 - 20257 Hamburg - Germany Managing Partner: Michael Schade, Christian Lohr HRB 129051 - VAT DE292576866 - TERMS - IMPRINT- PRIVACY POLICY [email protected] \| /rockfishgames \| @rockfishgames	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24581
__label__wiki	0.610853	0.610853	Metal Evolution with Sam Dunn...Thoughts so far? Go to page Previous 1 ... 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Next Forum Index » Music Talk » Metal Discussion absurder21 americanholocaust wrote: absurder21 wrote: Went in to depth about fucking Dillenger Escape Plan, Tool and went on about Rush forever and he completely skipped Uriah Heep, Fates Warning, Opeth, SymphonyX/Pain of Salvation/Nevermore/Cynic/Pagan's Mind/Ayeron See this is the issue with having a forty minute show that is suppose to cover one metal genre. That is way too vague... It's just namedropping, there is no way he could go into extreme detail about the the different kinds of progressive metal. I'd switch Tool and DEP for Opeth and Fates Warning easily(Even though Spectre Within is very Power'y, it still had a bunch of Progressive elements to be worth mentioning). I mean, yeah yeah Tool and DEP sell... But like I said, even just name dropping or showing a cover on the reel he does of those bands would be awesome. Last edited by absurder21 on Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:21 pm, edited 1 time in total. Muhammadabbadabba Location: R'lyeh So we've all arrived at the conclusion Metal Evolution misinforms (perhaps even disinforms) its viewers with each episode. Do we also agree that it is imperative that we, as fans, have a duty to counter with information based on independent research, interviewing, et cetera? If so, does anyone here have any knowledge on film editing, cinematography, et cetera? Why don't our most erudite and sophisticated collectively try to produce a Metal documentary? More than a share of bright minds exist on this very forum. VHSDVD123 Muhammadabbadabba wrote: That sounds amazing. Start a new thread. Collectively we are the metal informative. http://last.fm/user/vhsdvd Spiner202 You guys act like literally everything he said is wrong. In the 3 episodes I saw, there was definitely a bit of wrong information, but it wasn't to the point that he was doing a disservice to metal. If anyone gets interested in the music because of his show, then it's a success. They will inevitably do their own research and realize that some of the things he said weren't 100% accurate. It amazes me how negative people are that someone is trying to give metal more attention. Skull Fracturing Metal - Facebook Page Xlxlx Argentinian Asado Supremacy Spiner202 wrote: If you're gonna do a series about a decades old musical genre that also encompasses lots of sub-divisions, twists and turns, then do it fucking RIGHT. droneriot wrote: The instruments used are what you would expect from the little metal people: guitaloos, bassnaps, drumdrums, and voclatrons. The best things about the guitaloos are obviously the riffraffs. godsonsafari Location: Sparty's Land Grant University, USA LOL, I trust the hive mind to "do it right" about as much as I do Dunn. I'd be interested to see anyone give it a whirl so long as an actual effort is expended, but my expectations will be guarded at best regardless about who does it. "It's not some safe thing like Fugazi where everyone sits down and eats their tofu and goes 'wow man, that's revolutionary' " - Jerry A of Poison Idea Metal_Detector Reticular Modular Unit Location: Forgotten in space Maybe, but Fates Warning? One of the PRIMARY progenitors? Unforgiveable. I use lots of adverbs when I get excited. ~Guest 226319 President Satan Yeah, I can see where focusing on non-metal bands at the expense of metal bands would throw the whole thing into a credibility crisis. Tezcat Location: Colombia Metal_Detector wrote: Well, at least Fates Warning and Uriah Heep were on his original "Metal Family Tree" Progressive metal (1970−present) Uriah Heep; Rush; Queensrÿche; Savatage; Fates Warning; Voivod; Dream Theater; Meshuggah; Symphony X; Evergrey ...so chances are that he is aware of the band, but somehow he couldn't get them for the episode (or the band didn't wat to, who knows...) :::Non Serviam:::: Arithmetica I like the pre-metal episode, it's the stuff my parents listened too growing up and still play around the house. My parents never tried to force any of their music on me but perhaps them passively playing it around me as I grew up was what steered me towards metal and rock music? I have known that Black Sabbath and other's are rooted in metal I just always thought of them as my parent's music. Now I am kind of picturing them as pre-metal fans but also amusing enough as elitist-scumbags since they hated all the new stuff that followed after a lot of those earlier pre-metal bands. yellowmadness54 Mallcore Kid I liked what I saw of it, I suppose. I would like to see Doom and Sludge explored more, same with Neo Folk. Ritual_Suicide I just finished watching the (European) power metal episode. It was ok when Dunn was discussing the origins of (European) power metal, but the way he characterized the whole genre as being little more then a purely European creation based on a bunch of D&D nerds who were nostalgic for classic metal kinda pissed me off. http://www.last.fm/user/Toxic_Griever https://rateyourmusic.com/~ToxicGriever Ritual_Suicide wrote: I somehow agree with you, but... truly... besides Manowar (funny DeMaio refused to talk to Dunn... I wonder why ) and perhaps Iced Earth, what other USA bands could have been interviewed by Dunn for this episode? Tezcat wrote: Virgin Steele, for instance. Mr_Wiggl3s Our first episode, episode one, would probably as long as Roots: The Miniseries was in it's entire length. Dating back to when cavemen would beat wood on a rock (probably focus on stonehenge a little, what's more stoned that that shit?), to drums, to wind instruments, to strings, to combination, to blues, to jazz, to rock, then the real meat of the episode would be who the first metal band actually was. It's key to remember MA is just a focused community. Some of the most popular bands here aren't known in the real world. Some of the most well know bands in the real world, aren't well known here. This is bound to happen. If Dunn is portraying power metal as a largely Eurocentric genre, he's dead on. There's popularity for the music outside of Europe in places like Brazil and Japan, but the truth is that power metal has never been terribly relevant in the US for the last 20 years outside of brief bouts of minor popularity for Dragonforce, Iced Earth, and Blind Guardian (two of which are European bands). The mass of popular bands are European in origin. Even back in the 80s it was second banana to thrash here. And who the hell cares about Virgin Steele? That band doesn't matter. Plantweed I have no idea who Sam Dunn is, but why are you watching VH1? Remove it from your life, you will be a happier person. godsonsafari wrote: While I do agree Power Metal is considerably less popular in America than Europe, you have to keep in mind America's interpretation of the style is vastly different than their European counterparts. Underground in popularity, USPM tends to be built on riffs, speed, proggy time signatures and, on occasion, shredding, which is why you have bands like Omen, Riot, Savage Grace, Fates Warning, Manilla Road, Slauter Xystroyes, Symphony X, et cetera. Euro PM leans toward keyboard-driven atmosphere, intricate solos and speed. Curiously, the early German scene (Walls of Jericho Helloween, Battalions of Fear Blind Guardian, Running Wild, Scanner, et cetera) has much more in common with USPM than what would come to fruition years later. The movie was suggested in passing rather than a proposition as a serious project. As far as the Metal movie is concerned, pre-production, let alone production, would much planning and prep work, and I fully recognize I'm not the one to undertake such a project as I have negligible experience and research. Besides, I'm not even aware of the direction I'd want to pursue. As such, I regretfully can't assume the mantle. And who the hell cares about Virgin Steele? That band doesn't matter. You sir, have made a very powerful enemy this day. Nevermore, Savatage and Metal Church. Empyreal Location: Where the dead rule the night Xlxlx wrote: If he's suggesting they're not any good well then yeah, that's silly, but I can see what he means in a sense of commercialism and stuff that would appeal to a large audience. Shame they don't appeal to a mass audience, really. Cinema Freaks latest reviews: Black Christmas TBH I am not a power metal fan. However, from a perspective of doing a 43 minute (or hell, doing a 90 minute or 120 minute) documentary on power metal, I don't see the need to call in bands like Virgin Steele or Jag Panzer as necessary requirements to giving a decent view of that style. I just don't. Commercially they don't sell, as far as their place goes in the pantheon of great bands, I doubt any of them would break most people's top 100 in the genre, they're pretty well topped by far better bands of European vintage and with far greater popularity within Europe, etc etc etc. Like I said before: if you're going to go outside Western Europe to discuss power metal, go to countries where the popularity is far greater and the bands more relevant and numerous. Go to Brazil. Go to Turkey. Go to Greece. Go to Japan. But the US lacks the interest and fanbase those nations have for this style of music. This is the country where Blind Guardian didn't get a proper US release until Nightfall in Middle Earth and Ample Destruction went out of print for about a decade. I also don't totally see some of these bands being referred to here as acts that should have been referenced (specifically; Nevermore and Symphony X) as being true "power metal" acts. This doesn't make power metal bad or whatever. I'm not trying to pass an objective judgement here about the quality of what these bands do. I just don't see the proper story of power metal as being something that one can't tell without the likes of some of these lesser known, and frankly non-vital US based acts. Guess I just can't agree with you on this one. Bands such as Virgin Steele or Jag Panzer actually would be useful to at least point the main differences (which are pretty obvious, by the way) between USPM and European variations. The differences, however slight, have little to do with the genre's popularity and frankly its evolution and growth. Stuff like arena rock, video game music, and melodic death metal have had infinitely more effect on the genre of power metal outside (and inside, to great extent) the realms of the USA and Canada. Like I said before: Hammerfall is considered a key artist in the genre, and they have all the legitimacy of N'Sync, regardless of how they like to word their history now. I just don't see anything special about American power metal that makes it any more notable than any other scenes known for having power metal scenes with larger fanbases, like as an example, Italy. It's a pretty strong argument the one you have there, and looks like I'll have to agree with it once and for all (save for the part when you say that American and European power metal are only slightly different). I still want to slap you for insulting Virgin Steele though ErectileProjectile Location: Faroe Islands Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:17 am Lol siggied Edit: actually never mind, I have no idea how to do that... Edit2: oh wait yay CrushedRevelation wrote: cultofkraken wrote: Better question is why is there a rooster on the cd? Because they like cocks? MortalScum yellowmadness54 wrote: The documentary "Such Hawks Such Hounds" explores doom metal as well as stoner rock, and its WAY better than anything Dunn could put together http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-njKCr6ieKE Scepter Of Eligos - Sludge/Thrash Ritual Flame - Funeral Doom Folez MortalScum wrote: I enjoyed that documentary. Palm Desert Scene and Doom/Stoner/Sludge's origins has always interested me. I've also been told Slow Southern Steel is a great Sludge/Stoner documentary as well. Unfortunately it's a bit hard to watch it, since it seems to be only screening around America. Empyreal wrote: I don't think that should be an appropriate line of thought to go by. There is so much of metal that isn't appealing to a large audience and yet still integral to the genre. I don't think Dunn should have the right to pick out bits and pieces just because it sells. All awhile leaving info gaps and general misinformation in his wake. I'd even go so far as to say that is irresponsible. Leify wrote: My grandfather always said, if you can't fix a problem, just systematically blow shit up. Slag wrote: There is so much of metal that isn't appealing to a large audience and yet still integral to the genre. I don't think Dunn should have the right to pick out bits and pieces just because it sells. All awhile leaving info gaps and general misinformation in his wake. I'd even go so far as to say that is irresponsible. Just irresponsible? That motherfucker has been releasing misinforming pieces of crap since he gained notoriety. He's an outright pain in the ass to anyone trying to learn about metal, as even Wikipedia is a better source than him. If you were going to make a documentary film on, say, death metal, would you be required to spend significant time on the Malay death metal scene simply because one exists? At some point, you have to look at what is and is not really relevant to the story you're trying to tell and leave out that which isn't relevant, otherwise you get an unfocused mess of a program. Speaking of Metal documentaries, this little item has been brought to my attention thanks to Scruff of Hellbastard. From what I've heard and judging by the list of interviewees, it seems quite riveting and informative. I look forward to seeing it. It talks about Pentagram and Wino's various bands, but I can't really say it's a good doc on Doom and it's missing some important info on Sludge. But it's really comes off as focusing on Stoner Metal, which it did a great job of. I'd say it's good at including those two genres in relevance to Stoner though, and I agree way better then anything Dunn, although I guess I'd say Global Metal is the best about it's topic, considering there's nothing about it. Well you are correct there, but even still there is certainly a better medium between good story telling and in depth amount of information then what Dunn is creating. Speaking of Metal documentaries,.. ...has anybody seen the "metal documentaries" made by Bill Zebub in the USA? Three on Black Metal, two on Death Metal and one about Pagan Metal (which I think is currently on the works for a second expanded version) I for one enjoyed "Death Metal: A Documentary" with people from Mortician and Brutal Truth, among others... Cruciphage I don't have anything to add to the discussion except that this a terrible, terrible example. I don't think anybody's insisting that he has to cover every single obscure nook and corner of the genres, they're pointing out that he's leaving out historically significant information to focus on stuff that, while more immediately recognizable and relevant to a mainstream audience, has very little to do with the intended topic. Incidentally, Ruben Rosas has very nice handwriting. The soul of a poet, one might say. First of all, I'm obviously using the example of Malaysia for effect. Second; When it comes to power metal, almost none of it is relevant to a mainstream audience in the US or Canada. Obviously there will be those who disagree with me that these bands aren't historically significant enough to merit inclusion or heavy coverage. That's fine. Everyone has opinions, blah blah blah. But I've yet to hear a stirring argument as to what precise reason the American bands were so significant that they deserved special attention over anyone that was shown or any other acts that were excluded. The style variation was, in my mind, minor at best among bands that were "true" power metal acts. So what bands did they specifically influence, and how did they influence them in different ways than their peers in Europe? How did the scene grow? Who did they sell records to? Who bought tickets to see them play? How many more tickets did they sell than their peers? I'm just not seeing this. I'm seeing "I think they're important and I like them, ergo they should be part of a documentary." ^^^For some reason I forgot you were talking specifically about the power metal episode. Don't mind me. ^THIS! I will probably sound a bit harsh --and who knows? I could make a powerful enemy today as well-- but, during my many years traveling to other countries, exchanging ideas via snail-mail back in the day and meting metalheads from other nations and cultures, I had never heard of "US Power Metal" per se. Sure, Jag Panzer, Metal Church and Virgin Steele (the bands ointed out to me) were out there, and so were Riot, Savatage, Nevermore, Omen, etc. But seriously, as far as I remember, never, NEVER were those bands considered "USPM"... not back then. To us, at the very least, my friend and I here in Colombia, or in Spain, or Argentina, Mexico, those bands were mainly part of the US heavy metal scene that was overshadowed by the rise of Glam and Thrash; US Heavy Metal with a hint of Speed (Metal Church, Omen) or more traditional, obscure heavy metal (Manowar and Virgin Steele) or with a hint of Progressive influences (Savatage) or even Thrash/Progressive (Sanctuary/Nevermore). I've yet to find the first reference of "USPM" in my Metal Hammer collection from the 80's or early 90's. Really. The only exception would probably be Riot but, in 1988, that was considered Speed Metal, along with the german speed metal scene that was starting to gain some reputation outside Fortress Europa. Then, around the mid-90's, the name "Iced Earth" started to appear in different magazines, together with albums by Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray and Helloween. And that was a bit late to talk about "influence" on the sub-genre. If any of you can track down the first reference to "USPM" please let me know, because I think --and this is my opinion-- that USPM was a made-up term created to label those bands with that started with that heavy/speed sound and evolved following a path different to the one taken by the european counterparts. USPM or US Heavy Metal remained underground or almost non-relevant during the 90's, with a small but loyal fanbase that kept the bands alive, but not comercially succesful. The big exception to the rule would be, of course, Iced Earth; one of the few american heavy metal bands that had impact on the metal scene worldwide. Manowar was virtualy ignored by the american public, but they've always had a huge following in Europe, almost a cult status, and I'd say they're the only american power metal band that had an influence in european Power Metal bands. That's why I think Dunn was right in focusing almost only on European Power Metal. Just my two cents. PS. Seriously; if any of you could track down the first appareances of the term "USPM" in heavy metal magazines, please do let me know. I'm really curious. PS2. Sorry for the typos and the awful grammar. English is not my native language and this was written in a hurry. Well, look at what we're talking about here. We are talking about a high-profile metal documentary show covering the basics of every genre. While I would certainly argue for Virgin Steele's and Jag Panzer's inclusion into a documentary going further into depth on power metal, if it's just a mainstream show covering the bare basics, those bands aren't exactly the forefront of their genre commercially or critically, being that they release albums infrequently and one of them is broken up now anyway. Obviously the super popular bands like Blind Guardian, Helloween and Manowar would get mentioned above all others. I don't really care about or watch the show itself though... 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__label__cc	0.596134	0.403866	Frodo The Sheltie Created by Gordon Bagshaw Frodo’s Strips Frodo’s Goodies About Frodo About Gord “Alright Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up” Posted on March 25, 2013 May 9, 2013 by gordonbagshaw The time has arrived! The ‘Frodo the Sheltie’ comic strip makes it’s debut in GSM (Global Shelties Magazine) today! The comic strip will continue to share new laughs right here at http://www.frodothesheltie.com, on it’s Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/FrodoTheSheltie) and on twitter (https://twitter.com/FrodoTheSheltie), But the quarterly GSM will feature an exclusive strip. We are very excited for this new partnership and we invite you to subscribe to this entertaining and informative global magazine about Shelties. to download the latest free magazine go to: http://www.globalsheltiesmagazine.org/ Tagged cartoon, comedy, dog, Frodo the Sheltie, funny, Global Sheltie Magazine, humor, sheepdog, sheltie, shetland, strip Worldwide Book Launch Today Frodo’s Social Life View FrodoTheSheltie’s profile on Facebook View FrodoTheSheltie’s profile on Twitter View frodothesheltie’s profile on Instagram View FrodotheSheltie’s profile on Pinterest Follow Frodo The Sheltie on WordPress.com Frodo the Sheltie by Gordon Bagshaw is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at https://frodothesheltie.com/.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24586
__label__wiki	0.969917	0.969917	Kevin Meaney, comedian and actor, dies Posted 8:08 pm, October 22, 2016, by CNN Wires, Updated at 08:06PM, October 22, 2016 Standup comedian and actor Kevin Meaney, who made numerous appearances on late-night TV and was famous for delivering the line, “That’s not right,” has died, his agent said Friday. Meaney was found at his home in Forestburgh, New York, agent Tom Ingegno said. His age and the cause of death weren’t immediately known. Meaney was scheduled to perform Saturday night in Rhode Island, according to his website. After his first HBO special in 1986, Meaney was catapulted to the spotlight and debuted on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson the following year, according to Meaney’s website. He returned to the show a dozen times. Meaney starred in the CBS sitcom “Uncle Buck,” which ran for one season in 1990, and appeared on “Saturday Night Live.” Fellow comedians were quick to offer condolences on Twitter. “Kevin Meaney was sweet, hilarious and courageous. A silly, wonderful, man. The best. My heart goes out to his fans, friends and family,” wrote Bobcat Goldthwait. “Always thought Kevin Meaney was a brilliant comedian,” actor Patton Oswalt wrote. “Then we hung out in Ireland and I found out he was also a terrific person. RIP.” CNN’s Joe Sutton contributed to this report. By Melissa Gray In his first interview since being sentenced, Bill Cosby says he doesn’t expect to show remorse at parole time Bill Cosby’s spokesman calls Eddie Murphy a ‘Hollywood slave’ after SNL appearance Comedian Chris Kattan at the Funny Bone this weekend John Witherspoon, comedian and actor who starred in ‘Friday,’ has died at 77 Man who ate the $120,000 banana art installation says he isn’t sorry and did it to create art Danny Aiello of ‘Do The Right Thing’ and ‘The Professional’ dies at 86 Kumail Nanjiani reveals how he got ridiculously fit for Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ Robert Evans, ‘Chinatown’ and ‘Godfather’ producer, dead at 89 Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are donating $500,000 to help fight bushfires in Australia Singer-songwriter David Olney dies on stage at age 71 Liquid meth found inside transmission fluid, coolant containers Robert Dubac’s ‘Idiocracy’ hits the Playhouse stage at Westport Plaza	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24596
__label__cc	0.650159	0.349841	CPU Details Mobo List Desktop CPU Laptop CPU Best CPU New CPU Compare CPU Check Prices $224 Select any two CPUs for comparison Buy Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Buy Xeon E5-2680 v2 Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Xeon E5-2680 v2 Cyberpunk 2077 3% 40% Doom Eternal 6% 42% Grand Theft Auto VI 55% 4% Need For Speed Heat 3% 40% In terms of overall gaming performance, the Intel Xeon E5-2680 v2 is massively better than the Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz when it comes to running the latest games. This also means it will be less likely to bottleneck more powerful GPUs, allowing them to achieve more of their gaming performance potential. The Core i5-4690 3.5GHz was released less than a year after the Xeon E5-2680 v2, and so they are likely to have similar levels of support, and similarly optimized performance when running the latest games. Both CPUs exhibit very powerful performance, so it probably isn't worth upgrading from one to the other, as both are capable of running even the most demanding games at the highest settings (assuming they are accompanied by equivalently powerful GPUs). The Xeon E5-2680 v2 has 6 more cores than the Core i5-4690 3.5GHz. 10 cores is probably excessive if you mean to just run the latest games, as games are not yet able to harness this many cores. The cores in the Core i5-4690 3.5GHz is more than enough for gaming purposes. However, if you intend on running a server with the Xeon E5-2680 v2, it would seem to be a decent choice. The Xeon E5-2680 v2 has 16 more threads than the Core i5-4690 3.5GHz. The Core i5-4690 3.5GHz has one thread per physical core, whereas the Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses hyperthreading and has 2 logical threads per physical core. Multiple threads are useful for improving the performance of multi-threaded applications. Additional cores and their accompanying thread will always be beneficial for multi-threaded applications. Hyperthreading will be beneficial for applications optimized for it, but it may slow others down. For games, the number of threads is largely irrelevant, as long as you have at least 2 cores (preferably 4), and hyperthreading can sometimes even hit performance. More important for gaming than the number of cores and threads is the clock rate. Problematically, unless the two CPUs are from the same family, this can only serve as a general guide and nothing like an exact comparison, because the clock cycles per instruction (CPI) will vary so much. The Core i5-4690 3.5GHz and Xeon E5-2680 v2 are not from the same family of CPUs, so their clock speeds are by no means directly comparable. Bear in mind, then, that while the Core i5-4690 3.5GHz has a 0.7 GHz faster frequency, this is not always an indicator that it will be superior in performance, despite frequency being crucial when trying to avoid GPU bottlenecking. In this case, however, the difference is probably a good indicator that the Xeon E5-2680 v2 is superior. Aside from the clock rate, the next-most important CPU features for PC game performance are L2 and L3 cache size. Faster than RAM, the more cache available, the more data that can be stored for lightning-fast retrieval. L1 Cache is not usually an issue anymore for gaming, with most high-end CPUs eking out about the same L1 performance, and L2 is more important than L3 - but L3 is still important if you want to reach the highest levels of performance. Bear in mind that although it is better to have a larger cache, the larger it is, the higher the latency, so a balance has to be struck. The Core i5-4690 3.5GHz has a 768 KB bigger L2 cache than the Xeon E5-2680 v2, but on the other hand, it is the Xeon E5-2680 v2 that has a 19 MB bigger L3 cache than the Core i5-4690 3.5GHz. In this case, the L2 size is probably what counts, so the Core i5-4690 3.5GHz is likely superior in this area. The maximum Thermal Design Power is the power in Watts that the CPU will consume in the worst case scenario. The lithography is the semiconductor manufacturing technology being used to create the CPU - the smaller this is, the more transistors that can be fit into the CPU, and the closer the connections. For both the lithography and the TDP, it is the lower the better, because a lower number means a lower amount of power is necessary to run the CPU, and consequently a lower amount of heat is produced. The Core i5-4690 3.5GHz has a 31 Watt lower Maximum TDP than the Xeon E5-2680 v2 (though they were created with the same size 22 nm manufacturing technology). What this means is the Core i5-4690 3.5GHz will consume significantly less power and consequently produce less heat, enabling more prolonged computational tasks with fewer adverse effects. This will lower your yearly electricity bill significantly, as well as prevent you from having to invest in extra cooling mechanisms (unless you overclock). The Core i5-4690 3.5GHz has an on-board GPU, which means that it will be capable of running basic graphics applications (i.e., games) without the need for a dedicated graphics card. The Xeon E5-2680 v2, however, does not, and you will probably have to look for a dedicated card if you wish to use it at all. For in-depth GPU comparisons with the Intel HD Graphics 4600 Desktop, click on the following GPU overview comparison icon (visible throughout Game-Debate), and choose a GPU from the list to compare against: On-board GPUs tend to be fairly awful in comparison to dedicated cards from the likes of AMD or Nvidia, but as they are built into the CPU, they also tend to be cheaper and require far less power to run (this makes them a good choice for laptops). We would recommend a dedicated card for running the latest games, but integrated GPUs are improving all the time and casual gamers may find less recent games perform perfectly acceptably. CPU Core Details CPU Codename Haswell Ivy Bridge MoBo Socket LGA 1150 LGA 2011/Socket R Notebook CPU 14 May 2014 10 Sep 2013 CPU Link CPU Technical Specifications CPU Threads Clock Speed 3.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz Turbo Frequency 84 W vs 115 W 22 nm vs 22 nm Bit Width 64 Bit vs 64 Bit Max Temperature 100°C vs 82°C Virtualization Technology CPU Cache and Memory L1 Cache Size 1024 KB vs 256 KB 6 MB vs 25 MB Max Memory Size Memory Channels ECC Memory Support CPU Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4600 Desktop no Base GPU Frequency 400 MHz vs - Max GPU Frequency 1250 MHz vs - 11.1 vs - Displays Supported CPU Package and Version Specifications - vs 52.5mm x 45mm PCIe Revision PCIe Configurations CPU Mini Review Core i5-4690 3.5GHz is a high-end CPU based on the 22nm, Haswell architecture. It offers 4 Physical Cores (4 Logical), initially clocked at 3.5GHz, which may go up to 3.9GHz and 6MB of L3 Cache. Among its many features, Turbo Boost and Virtualization are activated. The processor integrates powerful Graphics called Intel HD Graphics 4600, with 20 Execution Units, initially clocked at 350MHz and that go up to 1200MHz, in Turbo Mode which share the L2 Cache and system RAM with the processor. Both the processor and integrated graphics have a rated board TDP of 84W. Compared to Core i5-4670K there's an overall 3% performance boost. Its performance is exceptionally good and enough for even the most demanding applications. The Intel Xeon E5-2680 v2 is a 64-bit, 10-core server processor based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. The CPU was launched by Intel in September 2013. The performance of the Xeon E5-2680 v2 is extremely high, hence the basis of it's $1,700 launch price.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24598
__label__cc	0.539338	0.460662	Archive for the ‘Media Relations’ Category Cristiano Ronaldo: loose lips sink ships “People are jealous of me because I’m rich, handsome and a great player,” said Cristiano Ronaldo to reporters after his team’s, Real Madrid, Champions League match against the Dinamo Zagreb. Ronaldo was complaining against the kicks he’d received from the Croatian players. His team’s next game was against the Spanish Football League’s Levante. A team with a budget that pales in comparison to Real Madrid’s. A modest team. Levante’s players, after hearing Ronaldo’s statement, ironically said that when Ronaldo talked about being “handsome, rich and a great player” they thought that he was talking about each and every one of them. Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments were interpreted by many as a clear allusion to players from smaller teams, such as Dinamo Zagreb or Levante. The training to know how to deal with the media isn’t only for politicians, businessmen and industry leaders, but also for elite sports figures such as Ronaldo. Why? Because we are not only talking about his comments portraying him as someone with a big ego, but also because of their direct impact on his team. Why? Because they clearly gave additional motivation to Levante in their match against Real Madrid. Any team is always motivated in a game against Real Madrid, one of the best in the world. However, if Ronaldo asserts that others are jealous because he is handsome, rich and very good that clearly implies that the other lesser rivals are ugly, poor, and bad. Is there a better venue to vindicate themselves, the supposed “ugly, poor, and bad” than in a game against Real Madrid? The predictions were that Real Madrid would out shoot Levante on its own field. In fact, leading Real Madrid players such as Özil, Ronaldo and Higuaín even started the game as substitute players. The final score was a real surprise. Levante was able to win with 1-0. A tie would have been a success, but they achieved a heroic victory and won the three points at play. Prior to the match, Real Madrid was one point ahead of FC Barcelona and this loss left it one point behind. In addition to the other factors that affected the final score, is anyone in doubt of the extra push that Cristiano Ronaldo gave the Levante players clearly hurt Real Madrid? That is why top-shelf players must undergo Media Training. Loose lips sink ships. Tags:Barca, Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dinamo Zagreb, FC Barcelona, Levante, Real Madrid, Ronaldo, Spanish Football League Posted in Athletes, Media Relations, Media Training \| Leave a Comment » Tucson: manejo exitoso de crisis Cuando uno lee un editorial en The Washington Post del senador republicano John McCain titulado “Un discurso admirable del Presidente Obama”, queda claro que ese discurso tuvo que ser realmente memorable. El senador McCain, además, fue el candidato republicano en las últimas elecciones presidenciales. El rival directo de Barack Obama. En el editorial, McCain se refiere al discurso que el Presidente pronunció en el servicio conmemorativo por las víctimas del tiroteo en Tucson, Arizona, y, entre otras cosas, califica a Barack Obama de “patriota”. El objetivo del discurso del Presidente era unir al país ante la tragedia. Es el deber de los presidentes en momentos como estos. Y el comentario general es que lo consiguió. Obama criticó el ambiente de hostilidad política verbal que hay en Washington. El motivo es que los comentarios iniciales culparon a ese tenso clima político del ataque a la congresista Gabrielle Giffords en Tucson. Muchos líderes, así como el Presidente, repitieron que tenemos que regresar a un escenario político en el cual se puede disentir activa y apasionadamente con otra persona, pero dentro de un marco de civismo. Yo pienso que ese clima de ataque y contraataque políticos no es ni mucho menos un monopolio de los Estados Unidos. Eso ocurre en todos y cada uno de los países en los que he trabajado y vivido. Disentir agresivamente es algo inherente a la política. Es más, lo peligroso sería la falta de ese vivo debate, ya que significaría que no existe democracia. Afortunadamente, y aunque todos recordamos dolorosas excepciones, en Estados Unidos esas disputas se resuelven en las urnas. Tucson fue una excepción. No queda ni siquiera claro si fue un intento de asesinato político contra una congresista basado en motivos ideológicos o simplemente la obra de un perturbado que se enfocó en la legisladora como se hubiera podido obsesionar con cualquier otra persona y por cualquier otro motivo. Todos los expertos coinciden en que el supuesto atacante, Jared Lee Loughner, sufre severos problemas mentales. De hecho, estudios del Servicio Secreto de Estados Unidos determinan que la gran mayoría de los así llamados “asesinatos políticos” en este país no tienen nada que ver con política. Tras muchas entrevistas con personas que han atentado, con y sin éxito, contra líderes políticos, los estudios concluyen que casi todos los atacantes sufren de problemas mentales y que ésa es la verdadera causa de los atentados. No la disensión política. Hablando estrictamente desde el punto de vista comunicacional, lo que me parece claro es que la crisis se manejó magistralmente por todas las partes. El país estuvo pegado a las pantallas de televisión durante varios días para informarse de todos los detalles de lo sucedido. La tragedia realmente impactó a la nación. Todas y cada una de las víctimas fueron pérdidas irreparables, pero el caso de la pequeña Christina-Taylor Green tocó sin duda de forma especial el corazón de los estadounidenses. Una niña de apenas nueve años nacida, paradójicamente, el 11 de septiembre del 2001. El día de los ataques terroristas contra las torres gemelas del World Trade Center en Nueva York y el Pentágono. Una pequeña a quien le atraía la política y que quería ver y escuchar en persona a la congresista. La tarea del Presidente de unir a la nación en su discurso no era fácil debido al clima de división política al que me he referido. Sin embargo, no sólo hizo eso bien, sino que manejó la crisis de forma magistral. El Presidente reaccionó enseguida ante lo ocurrido. Emitió rápidamente un comunicado de prensa. Después, compareció frente a las cámaras de televisión para dar su pésame a los familiares de las víctimas y expresar sus deseos de pronta recuperación para los heridos. Obama incluso envió al propio director del FBI a Arizona a liderar la investigación y ofreció todos los recursos federales que fueran necesarios. Su siguiente paso fue desplazarse personalmente junto a la Primera Dama a Tucson y asistir al servicio conmemorativo. En todo momento se vio a un presidente muy activo y en tono con el dolor del resto del país. La oposición política republicana, de igual forma, actuó sin partidismos y enfocándose en lo importante, las víctimas, y dejando de lado cualquier lucha partidista. Un ejemplo es el editorial por parte del senador McCain. Algo interpretado como un ejemplo de elegancia, clase, responsabilidad y liderazgo político de primer nivel por parte del senador republicano. Alguien que sí levantó controversia fue la ex candidata a vicepresidenta por el Partido Republicano, Sarah Palin. La ex gobernadora de Alaska, en un mensaje en video lanzado a través de su página en Facebook, usó un término históricamente interpretado como antisemita y que sin duda distrajo a su audiencia de su mensaje principal. Otros también la criticaron por hablar demasiado de política y de no centrarse más en las víctimas. Algunos la habían acusado de crear un clima político propicio para la confrontación en lugares como Arizona. Los líderes políticos nacionales, tanto demócratas como republicanos, repitieron que el único responsable de una tragedia semejante es quien apretó el gatillo. Muchos de los defensores de Palin dicen que ella no entendió el contexto de la frase que utilizó. Pocos se explican, de todas formas, cómo ninguno de sus asesores dio una señal de alarma al respecto. Algo que sólo echó aún más leña al fuego de las personas que la acusan de no tener la preparación intelectual necesaria para ser presidenta. No obstante, la crisis fue en general, muy bien manejada por todas las partes involucradas. La actuación del Presidente fue alabada hasta por sus más feroces críticos republicanos. La oposición republicana fue alabada por los demócratas. La clase política mostró una unión poco habitual en Washington. No se enfocaron en ellos sino en la tragedia en sí y urgieron a un tono político más respetuoso. Los partidarios del uso de armas, a pesar de la tragedia, no perdieron terreno. De hecho tan sólo días después del tiroteo hubo una feria de armas en Arizona a la que acudieron miles de personas. Ellos insisten en que el problema no son las armas y que cualquier ciudadano tiene el derecho constitucional a tenerlas. Según ellos, el problema es controlar que criminales y personas desequilibradas mentalmente no tengan acceso a las mismas. Aunque el tema de las armas obviamente se tocó durante las coberturas periodísticas de la tragedia, el tiroteo no motivó realmente un profundo debate nacional sobre el uso de armas en Estados Unidos. Sin duda los grupos pro armas supieron también tratar con éxito esta crisis. Dieron su posición, pero respetando el dolor de las víctimas. Lograron evitar que se produjera un sentimiento popular en su contra que pudiera propiciar legislación federal significativa contra sus intereses. Otro de los grupos que manejaron muy bien la situación fueron los médicos involucrados en la tragedia. Se hicieron siempre disponibles, dieron partes constantes de la evolución de los heridos, comunicaron con efectividad y de forma entendible todos los procedimientos médicos y mostraron clara simpatía con el sufrimiento de los familiares. Se manejaron con enorme profesionalidad en una situación ciertamente agotadora tanto física como mentalmente. Y frente a cientos de periodistas de todo el mundo. Esto nos indica que una de los puntos principales para manejar con éxito cualquier crisis es prepararse para ella antes de que ocurra. Los médicos y el hospital sin duda lo hicieron. Algo así puede ocurrir desgraciadamente cualquier día y esa capacidad de comunicar efectivamente no se puede improvisar. Este es un ejemplo de lo bien que se ha manejado una crisis, pero hay una larga lista de crisis muy mal manejadas a todos los niveles que han impactado muy negativamente en la reputación no sólo de los involucrados directamente en la crisis sino, por ejemplo, en líderes políticos al más alto nivel. Si estudian con atención cómo se reaccionó en Tucson, sin duda podrán estar mejor preparados para las futuras crisis, que, sin duda, tendrán que afrontar algún día. Tags:Christina-Taylor Green, comunicación y manejo de crisis, Gabrielle Giffords, John McCain, Presidente Obama, Sarah Palin, Tucson Posted in Comunicación durante una crisis, Comunicando el mensaje, Media Relations \| Leave a Comment » From Miners to Celebrities… and All the Way to the Bank “Chile will be remembered and recognized not for Pinochet, but as an example of unity, leadership and valor, faith and success,” stated Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera to the Times of London. Chile has written a story that will be very difficult to overcome not only in the field of mine disaster rescues, but of public relations. As the Chinese proverb so well states, every crisis is an opportunity and the Chilean authorities have masterfully positioned their country during this crisis as not only an empathetic, brave and hard-working nation, but as an especially effective one. That knows how to do things correctly. A model to be followed. No public relations campaign, not even one with an unlimited budget, would have been able to get these results. Not by a long shot. The rescue work at the San José de Copiapó mine was done by the book. Rescuing all the miners was undoubtedly a miracle, but a miracle that became a reality thanks to a minutely planned strategy that was executed with the utmost level of professionalism. Nothing was left to chance. Today, after this epic rescue, any average observer from around the world would think that Chile has one of the safest mining industries in the world. But they would be wrong. According to CNN, last year 50 people lost their lives in Chile’s mines. Even though mining represents 40% of the national income, it is only 1% of the world’s market. And with this 1%, Chile contributes 8% of the world’s mining accidents. That is, Chile has a clearly high number of mining accidents. The government states that this is a problem limited to small companies which lack the resources to prevent them. CNN also points out that the area where this accident took place only has three government inspectors for 800 mines, adding that this accident should never have happened because the safety issues at the mine were well-known. The mine had actually been shut down in 2007. And, one of the first things that the miners did after being rescued was to ask the President to take the necessary measures to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. Nonetheless, the perception is that Chile’s mining industry is excellent in terms of security and, as we all know, perception is for all practical purposes 90% of reality. And this has been achieved by the Santiago government, apart from having organized a successful rescue mission, through a perfectly executed media show. First of all, and prior to their rescue, the authorities provided media training to the miners to teach them how to deal with the media. Yes, you read it right. The miners learned about how to deal with the media at 700 meters below the earth’s surface. Secondly, the government provided full-access coverage to everything that was happening. This was a decision that was not only intelligent, but also brave because the rescue mission was a success – it could have been a failure. A failure covered by 2,000 reporters and millions of television viewers as witnesses. TV cameras were everywhere and, most importantly, all the participants in the rescue cooperated 100% with the coverage. It was clear that they had been told what to do. Even the doctors at the hospital where the miners were being treated opened the doors over and over again so that the cameras could better film the miners on their gurneys. And when I say that the cameras were everywhere, I mean they were everywhere. Even, as incredibly as this may seem, inside the mine: 700 meters below the surface. Viewers could see the miners in real time, as well as the first rescuers who descended to help them. This allowed for the levels of emotion to reach stratospheric heights and, therefore, had viewers all over the world glued to their television sets and computers to watch the miracle live. There were also cameras on the miners’ helmets, which allowed us to view their ascent on the Phoenix rescue capsule over the narrow tunnel from the mine to the surface. Of course, there were cameras following every move of the above-ground rescue equipment and rescuers, of the awaiting families and of Chileans all over the country (and the world) crying as they proudly waved the Chilean flag. And, naturally, a camera witnessed the first moments when each miner emerged from the Phoenix, hugging and kissing their relatives and immediately after hugging President Piñera, the Mining Minister and their rescuers. It was impossible to remain unmoved. If Chile’s government had not been as intelligent and hadn’t provided those images, the level of interest about this story would not have been the same. Even though all the images were provided by the government and no other cameras were allowed to transmit, the truth is that those images were made available to everyone. Limiting access to only the government’s cameras is never the ideal situation, because it can be perceived as biased, it is easy to understand that it was impossible to allow 2,000 reporters direct access to the rescue zone. It really was a total of 2,000 international reporters that traveled to that remote region of Chile to cover this story. There is a factor of security and distraction that cannot be ignored. Everyone lived the odyssey live. The words, the emotions, the hugs, the tears of joy. Chile was able to create an emotional connection with millions and millions of people all over the globe. We were all Chileans at that time and we were moved just as if we were witnessing the rescue on site with them. However, there have been many mining accidents that have been completely ignored by the media. By facilitating coverage, the government was able to take advantage of a golden opportunity to receive support for the rescue operation and reinforce the country’s image as a place where things are done correctly. The rescue mission has cost between 20 and 30 million dollars, a third of which will be covered by donations. Everyone, with the possible exception of the mine’s owners, has come out a winner. The miners were rescued and Chile is admired all over the world. Such is the case of Laurence Golborne, the Mining Minister, who has an 87% approval rating and is already being touted as a possible successor to President Piñera in the 2013 elections. This story teaches us the importance of openness. Of transparency. We must help the media to do their job. Hiding facts and not providing information is the worst thing to do. Because, among other things, the media always finds out what it needs to find out. In January 2006, I covered the accident at the Sago mine in West Virginia, USA. It was an information disaster. Journalists received information piecemeal, and then to make matters worse we were provided erroneous information. The authorities even said, mistakenly as it turned out, that 12 miners had survived the explosion. All the news outlets relayed the news enthusiastically. After the tense hours of not knowing what had happened to their loved ones, the families began to celebrate the miracle. However, the information was subsequently refuted. Only one miner survived. It is not difficult to imagine the families’ reaction once they found out the news. I also remember the accident at the Pasta de Conchos mine in Mexico in February 2006. It was estimated that 65 miners were trapped below ground. The mining company said that they were 150 meters below the surface. The accident took place on February 19. On February 25, the company announced that “there was no chance of any survivors after the methane explosion.” The next day the authorities announced that the mine would be closed indefinitely. In Chile there was also great pessimism about the situation with the miners. On August 22, the Mining Minister said that the possibilities of finding the miners alive were slim. We have to remember that it wasn’t until 17 days after the accident that contact was made with the miners. Seventeen days! However, the authorities, despite the initial pessimism, promised not to give up and they didn’t. They were true to their word. And the prize was when the miners were heard from and, after a tense 69 days of wait, all the miners were rescued safe and sound. All 33 miners. Without putting into question the Chilean government’s conviction and compromise with the rescue mission, whether or not there was media coverage, does anyone put in doubt that the media’s presence and interest help in similar situations to ensure that full-blown rescue efforts continue? What would happen in these disasters if no cameras reached the area to explain in images the titanic struggle to save the miners trapped under tons of stones? What happens is that many times the effort is not as strong and the possibilities of saving those lives are greatly reduced. In Mexico’s case there was quite a bit of coverage, but it cannot be compared with the Chilean government’s deployment. The Chileans became masters of communication. The media’s work is essential in this type of situations and the intelligent Chilean government understood this perfectly. And now, Chile’s image in the world has been incredibly strengthened. Another very intelligent decision was to train the miners about how to deal with the media. First of all because of psychological issues, and secondly because of practical matters. Do you remember the accident in 1972 when a plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes? After another epic story of how to survive in below zero temperatures after they had been given for dead, 16 people survived. Well, some of those survivors visited the mine in Chile to share with the miners their experiences after being rescued. To go from being an anonymous miner to being known internationally practically overnight, is not always an easy transition. The Chilean authorities explained to the miners that there were many reporters waiting for them, that all of them wanted to interview them and that they would be very persistent to get those interviews. That their lives would be open to scrutiny, for better or worse. We now even know the names of one of the miners’ mistress. The training served to at least be a bit more ready for what was to come. But there is another angle – the money. The miners made $1,600 a month for their hard work. Undoubtedly, this rescue will be told in books and movies, and the miners will travel the world telling their stories in person. The Real Madrid and Manchester soccer teams have invited them to their games. A Greek mining company has invited them to vacation in Greece’s paradisiacal islands. And they will get many more invitations, both as prizes and paying them for their attendance. Some outlets will even pay them a lot of money to interview them. The miners said that they reached an agreement among themselves to share all their earnings from sharing their experiences about the accident. Even if this does finally happen, who will make the most money? Obviously, the person who best knows how to explain what happened, who best articulates the story, the one who communicates the most. That person will be the one to travel and give speeches, that person will be preferred by television networks for interviews. Even if the training they received was, for obvious reasons, very basic, knowing just a little better how to effectively communicate a message is something that can make a fundamental difference in the lives of the miners. If they are skillful, they will never have to work another day in their lives. Tags:Chile, Chile Miners, Laurence Golborne, mine, miners, miracle, San José de Copiapó, Sebastián Piñera, the 33 Posted in Authenticity, Crisis communication, Media Relations, Media Training, Message communication, Valor \| Leave a Comment » Journalism on Life Support With a few honorable exceptions, in my opinion, journalism is clearly declining. Every day it becomes less relevant when it comes to exercising its primary function as an independent mechanism of oversight and investigation of the government and organizations regarding issues of vital importance for our society. The latest example is the surreal case of Shirley Sherrod. For openers, it is surreal because President Obama called her twice, couldn’t reach her and she didn’t even return his call until the following day. What? What do you mean? THE President Obama? The one that world leaders constantly court and go through hoops to hold fleeting meetings with at the White House? Yes, the very same. Just like you have read. And when he was finally able to speak with her, it was to apologize. And this is just the latest of the twists in this story of journalism-fiction. What could have led to this Presidential apology? Mrs. Sherrod was an employee of the US Department of Agriculture. This past March 27, Sherrod made a speech at an event of the NAACP, an organization that defends the civil rights of minorities in the United States. A few days ago, a blogger and conservative activist, Andrew Breitbart, uploaded on YouTube a video clip of Mrs. Sherrod’s remarks. On the video, she admitted that 24 years ago she hesitated about whether or not to help a white farmer who came to her for assistance to save his farm. The reason? He was White. At the time, Sherrod worked in the south of the United States for a non-profit agency established to help African-American farmers. Mrs. Sherrod is African-American. When the media got a hold of the video, all hell broke loose. A strange and schizophrenic virus took over all media outlets, the Administration, as well as the public. A first year journalism student would have behaved in a more professional, ethical and responsible manner than the reporters who covered this story. Especially, the conservative media began to attack Sherrod furiously, accusing her of being a racist. Like an out-of-control forest fire, the video spread throughout the Internet and the attacks increased, culminating in the Secretary of Agriculture’s decision to fire Mrs. Sherrod. Some commentators have said that the White House responded so quickly and forcefully out of fear that the Administration of an African-American president would be accused of racism against Whites. There’s a small problem. It happens that the video uploaded to YouTube was a specifically edited clip of what Mrs. Sherrod said during the NAACP event. The real story told by Sherrod was the complete opposite: one of redemption and racial reconciliation. At the event, Sherrod acknowledged her previously held prejudices, her inner struggles and stated that she finally decided that she and the farmer were human beings and that there were no differences between them. She not only helped the White farmer to save his farm but a long-lasting friendship grew from their encounter. The farmer, Roger Spooner, and his family confirmed that everything that Mrs. Sherrod said was true. That is, the exact opposite of the image that the world built of Mrs. Sherrod was real. However, there she was: fired from her job, slandered and constantly criticized by one and all. Afterwards, the conservative blogger acknowledged that the video he uploaded to YouTube was actually an edited version of the speech. According to him, the people who gave it to him never told him that the video was made up of selected clips. Whether or not this is true, the damage was already done and journalism in general suffered a serious setback. Others accuse the blogger of knowing exactly what he was uploading and that he did it anyway to create a controversy that attacked the Obama Administration and promote his blog. Did no one verify to make sure that the story and the accusations were true? Where did journalistic ethics go? Where are objectivity, the sense of information equity and justice? Did nobody bother to request a complete copy of the speech to find out if the quotes reflected accurately the spirit of what was said? Or was it that, just like it happened, the quotes were taken out of context? Did anyone find someone who actually attended the event to confirm the authenticity of the remarks? Did anyone check with a variety of sources to verify the information? Did an experienced editor or producer review the story before printing or airing it? Was nobody suspicious that an organization such as the NAACP, which is on the forefront of calls for social harmony, would invite a supposedly racist speaker to their event? Did this simple fact not raise the alarm? Did anyone bother to speak with Mrs. Sherrod to allow her to defend herself? Did anyone demand that the story not be made public until all the information had been verified, to ensure that irreparable damage to her reputation was not made if the accusations were not true? My goodness, I could go on and on all day writing this type of questions. These are the basic tenets of journalism. However, as I mentioned previously, this situation goes further. How could the Obama Administration fire someone without verifying that the accusations were true, basing this decision only on press reports? Is it that those in the government do not know that just because something is published by the media it is not necessarily true? Then, is it true that, as some people insist, President Obama was actually born in Kenya and that instead of being a Christian is actually a Muslim? Is it true then that Elvis Presley was having breakfast this morning in Las Vegas? And, how is it possible that the general population can also let itself be influenced in such a manner by the media without displaying the least interest in finding out whether or not this story was true? Did anyone say, “Wait a minute, is this true? Could someone be making too big a deal out of this? Couldn’t these be politically motivated falsities? Has she been given the opportunity to defend herself?”? No, no one said anything and the life of a woman who has fought during decades on behalf of others’ civil rights, regardless of their skin color, radically changed in a matter of days. Suddenly, the entire country saw her as a racist. When everyone finally realized the enormity of the mistake they had made, a great feeling of collective guilt took over. The Secretary of Agriculture apologized during a press conference and offered her another job. Some of news outlets also apologized and President Obama himself called her to apologize on behalf of his Administration. However, once again, this case goes beyond this one situation affecting Mrs. Sherrod. These are the consequences of what we see in journalism nowadays. On the one hand, newspapers, television and radio stations fire a large number of experienced journalists to replace them with recently graduated one who are paid a third of the fired journalists’ salaries. However, they clearly have no experience. News bureaus have less and less true professional journalists on staff and those who are still around have an enormous amount of work. They cannot properly do their job. It is not their fault. Journalists nowadays have to do the work of two or three people, support the online side of the news, as well as sometimes film and edit the stories they cover. It is impossible to deliver good, solid work as a journalist under these conditions. On the other hand, there is the emergence of the so-called blogosphere, which isn’t necessarily journalism. Many times it is its very opposite. A weird world where we come across true professionals, but also an army of lunatics and people without the most basic knowledge of issues or journalism but who sell themselves as “serious” journalists. That, of course, without including the throng of crazed political activists who want to make themselves pass for journalists and don’t have a clue about what they’re writing about. The result is that you can come across anything on the Web, but readers don’t always know or can’t distinguish between good information and blatant propaganda. Media outlets always want to beat the competition to the punch when it comes to reporting news. It is the nature of the business. To be first. However, with the arrival of the Web and 24-hour news cycles, the struggle is now down to beating the competition by mere seconds. The pressure to be first is very strong and, as we can see from this example, the right steps are not always taken before publishing or going on air with a story. Speed trumps the truth. The media needs to be an institution where respected journalists and professionals come together and are able to inform the nation in an independent way. People who dedicate their lives to investigate and report the news objectively and truthfully to their readers, viewers, and listeners. They have to be the point of reference for the public, where they can confidently go to get the news. The media cannot be the circus sideshow that we just saw with Mrs. Sherrod. I have profound admiration for journalists who embrace and take seriously their profession. They are vital to our society. A real democracy cannot function without a strong, independent, truthful, qualified and brave media. In spite of this, I think that journalists who are not in this group do real damage to our society and we have to protect ourselves from them. Many will view this episode as anecdotal, but the problem is that it isn’t. It represents a very dangerous tendency. Do you remember the Iraq War? Do you remember the weapons of mass destruction that were supposedly being hidden in Iraq? The media did a terrible job in its coverage prior to the war. And what can be said about the current economic crisis? How is it possible that financial sector journalists didn’t investigate the problem that was brewing? Now we know that more than a few predicted something was going to happen, but where were those reporters to talk about these concerns, about the imminent danger of a financial catastrophe? Surely, due to the decrease in newsroom budgets, these reporters were covering several stories a day and didn’t have the time to cover any of them properly. From my vantage point, there are only a handful of news media outlets with the financial resources and professional staff to truly make a difference in today’s media world. Most journalists are doing the work of several people or are deeply enmeshed in looking for the daily irrelevant scandal to increase viewership, ratings, and the number of newspapers or magazines sold. Many bloggers don’t even care if what they write is true or a lie. Everything is geared to creating a scandal to get the most hits on their page. And with that, to increase their notoriety. Fame. Others, with political motivations, whether on the right or left, don’t even care about that; their concern is to politically hurt their opponents. Again, without caring if their accusations are true or merely made-up. As you well know, a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth. All of this is truly dangerous for our democracy and for the overall well-being of our society. Crises bring about serious economic problems for millions of families. Wars bring about death and enormous debt. The public has a right to be well-informed to be able to make important decisions. Journalism’s mission is to provide this information. It has always been said that journalism “informs, educates, and entertains.” From my point of view, today’s journalism informs very little, educates even less, and entertains us more and more every day. Tags:blogs, communication, conservative media, Crisis communication, Department of Agriculture, journalism in crisis, NAACP, President Obama, racial conflict, Shirley Sherrod, White House Posted in Crisis communication, Media Relations, Message communication \| Leave a Comment » The General in his Labyrinth The newest victim of a lack of Media Training is a US Army general by the name of Stanley McChrystal. Even though he had a successful 35 year-long career in the Armed Forces, it quickly crashed down because he was not ready to deal with the media. A four-star general in charge of the war in Afghanistan could hardly be considered stupid. Therefore, it begs the question: How could he make such a fatal mistake? I have covered many wars and can say that I have not observed armed forces where its members can speak with as much freedom as those of the United States. They are always accessible on the battlefield and their senior commanders make them available for interviews. Sometimes they praise their leaders’ decisions and other times they don’t, freely talking about their point of view. They also talk about whether or not they agree or disagree with fighting in a specific campaign. This type of openness is not usual among other armed forces. However, McChrystal clearly went above and beyond this openness. During an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine he said that the White House’s National Security Advisor was a “clown,” stated that President Obama seemed to be “intimidated and absent” while meeting with US military leaders, referred to Vice President Joe Biden with an euphemism that cannot be quoted on this blog and which definitely was not a compliment, and on top of all of this, pretty much said that the US Ambassador to Kabul was a traitor. It seems obvious to me that McChrystal did not intend to make these critical comments and then resign because he disagreed with how the war in Afghanistan was being carried out. If this had been the case, after reading the interview, he would not have immediately called Vice President Joe Biden to apologize nor would he have waited until President Obama decided whether or not to fire him. He would have preemptively resigned. His press assistant did immediately lose his job. McChrystal’s problem is that he was never trained about how to deal with the media. Was the reporter who interviewed him sufficiently clear when he told him that everything McChrystal said would be used in the article? Did McChrystal and his advisors think they could speak candidly with the journalist and that whatever they said would not be published and would be considered comments among “friends”? Did they make it perfectly clear to the journalist that all of those comments were “off the record”? Does McChrystal understand that a journalist’s main loyalty is not to his “new military friends” but to get good stories for his or her publication or channel? Neither McChrystal nor his advisors deny making the statements in question, but I think that they never thought that they would be quoted verbatim. No one wants to end such a distinguished career on such a disgraceful note. A simple Media Training course would have saved McChrystal from this embarrassing end to his career and he would still be the supreme commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan. Tony Hayward, British Petroleum’s CEO, would also have spared himself from the many confrontations he has faced and saved quite a bit of money if he had been trained properly. Hayward’s mistakes during the Gulf of Mexico crisis are way too many to outline in this article. His behavior only served to exacerbate an already difficult situation. General McChrystal is a product of the Special Forces. A secretive organization that works in the shadows, away from the public eye. McChrystal was admired by his subordinates because he led by example. In 2005, for example, he led a small group of commandoes in Iraq in a pre-dawn attack against one of the hideouts of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, an Al Qaeda leader who was subsequently killed in combat. The insurgents surrounded the small group of US soldiers and McChrystal fought valiantly in the intense battle. It is not usual for a four-star general to risk his life in such a way. McChrystal was used to the world of undercover operations. To live in the shadows. However, when he was named to such a high-profile job as that of supreme commander of ground forces of the Afghan war, he entered a completely different and unknown world for him. And one of the most drastic changes was the continuous contact with the press. It is obvious to me that no one trained him to deal effectively with the media. A mistake that decimates his 35-year career of sacrifice for his nation. He leaves through the back door, accused by the President of questioning the civil authority over the Pentagon and of bringing division to the team in charge of the war in Afghanistan. Strong accusations all, especially now that the conflict in that country intensifies and the number of dead Americans is on the increase. The great majority of Americans, according to recent polls, don’t see the reason behind continuing the war. This incident with McChrystal definitely does not help the Administration at this junction. In a society such as ours, with an ongoing news cycle where information flows 24 hours a day, Media Training is not a luxury, it is a necessity for anyone who is or wants to be a part of that cycle. Media Training should be a required part of the curriculum at colleges and universities. Whether for members of the military, scientists, physicians, economists, or basically any professional. For example, someone can spend years in business school preparing to be an excellent manager. However, if he or she does not know how to communicate effectively, they will miss an important value added component. Not only because they miss out on opportunities to get free, positive publicity through the media. Or because they won’t be ready to communicate well during times of crisis. But, also because all these techniques to communicate effectively with the media are also applicable to internal communications in any organization. And of course, they can also be used to communicate effectively with external stakeholders. The victims of this lack of Media Training will continue to surface. McChrystal is only the most recent one. A new one will soon come to our attention. Stay tuned. Tags:Afghanistan, Armed Forces, Army, BP, McChrystal, Media Training, Obama, President Obama, Rolling Stone, Vice President Biden, White House Posted in Consejos, Media Relations, Media Training, Relaciones con la prensa \| Leave a Comment » You are currently browsing the archives for the Media Relations category. 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__label__wiki	0.664543	0.664543	Meeting, June 18, 1957 A meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee was held in the offices of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington on Tuesday June at 10 00 a m PRESENT Mr Martin Chairman Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Hayes Allen Bryan Leedy Mills Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Robertson Shepardson Szymczak Vardaman Williams Vice Chairman Messrs Fulton Irons Leach and Mangels Alternate Members of the Federal Open Market Committee Messrs Erickson and Johns Presidents of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston and St Louis respectively Mr Riefler Secretary Mr Thurston Assistant Secretary Mr Sherman Assistant Secretary Mr Hackley General Counsel Mr Thomas Economist Messrs Atkinson Bopp Marget Mitchell Roelse and Tow Associate Economists Mr Rouse Manager System Open Market Account Mr Koch Assistant Director Division of Research and Statistics Board of Governors Mr Gaines Manager Securities Department Federal Reserve Bank of New York Mr Williams Assistant Director Division of Re search and Statistics Board of Governors Mr Daane Vice President Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Mr Einzig Assistant Vice President Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Mr Balles Assistant Vice Presi dent Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Mr Walker Economic Adviser Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Mr Hastings Economist Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis Chairman Martin stated that while Mr Ralph Young Associate Economist for the Committee was in Europe it was contemplated that the economic review which Mr Young usually presented at meetings of the Committee would be given by Messrs Williams Noyes or Koch of the Division of Research and Statistics of the Board of Governors He suggested that they be invited to attend the meetings and there was no indication of disagreement with this suggestion At this point Mr Williams Assistant Director of the Division of Research and Statistics of the Board of Governors entered the room Upon motion duly made and seconded and by unanimous vote the minutes of the meeting of the Federal Open Market Com mittee held on May were approved Before this meeting there had been distributed to the members of the Committee a report prepared at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York covering open market operations during the period March 5 through June as well as a supplementary report covering commitments executed June 12 through June Copies of both reports have been placed in the files of the Federal Open Market Committee Mr Rouse reported that reserve positions had worked out just about as projected at the last meeting of the Committee reserves averaged 572 million in 44 6 million in Net borrowed the week ended May 29 slipped to the June 5 week as the Treasury s balance dipped briefly and were 570 million in the week of June 12 The composition of the reserve statistics changed significantly during these three weeks Member bank borrowing increased to a range of 1 1 4 billion in contrast with 900 million or so a few weeks ago At the same time some of the reserve tightness shifted to the New York banks affecting the money market and the market for short term Government securities The additional three weeks of tight money market conditions had tended to have a cumulative effect on the securities markets Rouse said in He described the Government securities market as being a very tender condition Price declines had been orderly but the market background was one of real nervousness in Mr new issue rates in Meanwhile the increase the capital market had gone on apace yesterday an A rated utility issue was brought to market at a reoffering yield to investors of 6 per cent Market rates of interest on U S Govern ment securities had not adjusted fully to the rising new issue rates but they touched new lows yesterday with the 2 1 2 s of 1961 and 1963 quoted to yield above 3 80 per cent and the 1 1 2 s of 1962 at a yield of 3 7 8 per cent Dealers reported that there really had been no market during the rapid price markdown it was only necessary for potential sellers to indicate an intention to sell in order to move prices 1 8 of a point or so lower Mr Rouse also noted that in recent days there had been increased attempts to liquidate Govern ment securities these coming from smaller insurance companies savings banks and increasingly from commercial banks The new issue of Treasury bills auctioned yesterday was awarded at an average rate of 3 404 per cent another new high but nonetheless a lower rate than many dealers had expected dealers were awarded only slightly more than 300 million of the new bills With respect to the rapid interest rate adjustment that had occurred in recent weeks Mr Rouse remarked that a report had reached him from a private source that some underwriting houses were approaching bankruptcy because of the losses they had taken in recent unsuccessful issues however he said that his check of this report showed that while some losses had been sizable the report that there was danger of bankruptcies just was not so Mr Rouse added that discussion in market circles on the course of interest rates had been influenced recently by discussion of the possibility of an increase in the prime rate and or the discount rate Apparently the leading New York banks had decided at least for the time being to wait for the Reserve Banks to increase discount rates before they moved on their prime rates Turning to the Treasury s financing problem Mr Rouse pointed out that the Treasury faced both a new money and a refunding operation Mr Burgess Under Secretary of the Treasury had called him on two or three occasions to discuss the program but the last time they spoke he Mr Burgess was still It was probable not clear on the course he should follow however that the cash offering would consist of be tween 2 and 4 billion of a March 1958 tax anticipation issue The Treasury had not invited the Investment Bankers Association and American Bankers Association committees to sit in on the discussions of the cash financing but they had been invited for preliminary discussions on the refunding Mr Rouse mentioned that one dealer had recommended that the refunding be a cash operation with 100 per cent allotment to holders of the rights attrition in this way The Treasury would attempt to avoid However a possible legal problem for the Federal Reserve System which he would discuss with Mr Hackley might arise under this suggestion i e whether a subscription by the System on the proposed terms would constitute an exchange or a cash subscription The proposed plan would call for payment through Tax and Loan Account for that portion of the new issue subscribed in cash and the funds to redeem securities not presented in payment for the new issues would have to come from calls upon existing balances Therefore under this plan the borrowing in early July would have to be large enough to cover the cash redemptions on the maturing issues Mr Rouse noted that the proposed plan also had certain tax advantages claimed for it that might make it more attractive to investors At the conclusion of his remarks Mr Rouse told the Committee that the report on fiscal agency relations between the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Treasury requested at the May 7 meeting would be ready for mailing to the members of the Committee in about ten days Chairman Martin supplemented Mr Rouse s comment with the statement that Under Secretary Burgess had called him on the telephone late yesterday afternoon to say that he was contemplating a 3 billion March tax anticipation issue to be sold at auction the announcement to be made on Thursday or Friday of this week The Chairman went on to comment that he felt the Account Management had kept the market in good shape during this period and that it looked as though we would go into this Treasury financ ing without having had the market ease perceptibly imediately before the offering Mr Rouse said that he was afraid that the situation would be come slightly easier next week but he did not think there was much that the Account could do about such a development Upon motion duly made and seconded and by unanimous vote the open market transactions during the period March 5 through June were approved ratified and confirmed Chairman Martin called upon Mr Williams of the Board s staff who made a statement on the economic situation substantially as follows Over all economic activity is continuing its slow but persistent rise from the record levels reached last winter Broad dollar value measures such as the gross national product are reflecting both higher average prices and small further gains in real output Total activity has been expanded by further extension of the capital goods boom steady increases in service activities a very high level of exports and further growth in Federal State and local government outlays Meanwhile business has been following a cautious inventory policy In physical volume a shift from sub stantial accumulation of inventories to small liquidation was registered in the first quarter Inventory liquidation is apparently continuing in the current quarter Reflecting the change in inventory policy and other developments selective downward adjustments have been going on in industries producing such products as household durable goods and automobiles These in turn have contributed to lower output of steel and some other materials These various adjustments have been reflected in a decline in the index of industrial production from 146 in February to 143 in May At the May level however the index was still 2 points higher than in May and June last year Very recently in late May and early June there were signs of some firming up of production in key industries Steel production rates have risen slightly auto assemblies have increased contra seasonally and output of some house hold durable goods seems to have been picking up These developments indicate a probability that the index of indus trial production for June will hold at the May level The general level of wholesale prices advanced slightly from mid May to mid June to a new high as prices of farm products and foods increased further Prices of industrial commodities continued to show little change from the level which has prevailed since February Price changes for basic industrial materials have been mixed In recent weeks zinc and lead prices have decreased while prices of steel scrap have advanced sharply again Consumer prices have been con tinuing their steady rise and in May were estimated to be nearly 4 per cent higher than a year earlier Taking account of changes in the physical measures of activity and in prices it is now anticipated that the balance of forces will result in a further rise in the gross national product in the current quarter The gain is likely to be moderate amounting perhaps to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of about 3 billion If realized this would bring gross national product to 430 billion or higher This level would represent a rise of about 22 billion or 5 per cent from a year earlier Higher prices and living costs are contributing directly through escalator clauses and otherwise to higher wage rates At factories wage rates have risen further this year but hours of work are lower and overtime pay is less Average hourly earnings at 2 06 in May were only 1 cent higher than at the end of last year and weekly earnings have declined At the same time output per manhour has been rising rapidly as fur ther growth and modernization of industrial capacity have facilitated more efficient operations Throughout th recent period of rolling adjustments at very high levels businessmen have been consistently opti mistic in their plans for the future An optimistic attitude has been reflected recently in further increases in stock market prices to new highs for the year Underlying business confidence also has been shown by the latest Commerce SEC survey of plans for plant and equip ment outlays This survey indicates a rise in fixed capital spending through the third quarter At 37 9 billion the seasonally adjusted rate of such outlays would be 2 billion or 6 per cent higher than in the third quarter of last year Construction activity in May rose further to a new record level with increases reported in most types of nonresidential construction Outlays for residential building were off further but more importantly new housing starts in May rose to an annual rate of 990 000 units the highest in several months Consumers continue generally confident as personal in comes have risen further to a level 5 per cent above a year ago Total retail sales rose slightly in May with sales of automotive dealers showing the first rise since last December New car sales were especially strong in the latter part of May and in early June apparently were holding up well Used car sales and prices have been continuing strong Instalment credit outstanding increased 200 million further in April on a seasonally adjusted basis and a rise of somewhat similar magnitude is likely for May Unemployment is relatively low and has shown mainly sea In May at 2 7 million it was about sonal changes this year Nonfarm employment also has shown the same as a year earlier mainly seasonal changes this year and in May was 770 000 larger The stability in the nonfarm total reflected than in May 1956 growth in nonmanufacturing activities offset by declines in manufacturing employment Abroad economic activity has continued at very high levels in recent months with further expansion taking place in major Upward pressures on prices have generally European countries persisted although indexes of both wholesale and retail prices in several industrial countries were relatively stable through In recent weeks new four months of the year the first measures have been taken in a number of countries to restrain inflationary pressures and credit restraints have been generally maintained or tightened further Chairman Martin next called upon Mr Thomas for a review of recent credit and financial developments and Mr Thomas presented the following statement Recent developments in financial markets present a test of the effectiveness of monetary policy to curb inflation in the face of strong credit demands and large and widespread public debt holdings We are still experiencing the con sequences of the liquidity built up in the war and early postwar periods Slowing down of the expansion in bank credit particularly in bank loans compared with the two previous years may be taken as an indication of the re straining effect of credit policies Demand deposits and currency have shown only a moderate rate of growth for the past two years On the other hand the liquidity imparted to the economy by prior increases in deposits and by the large holdings of marketable and redeemable Government securities has permitted a continued growth in the turn over of money Demands for goods and services as well as for money have continued to press upon available resources and retail prices and wages still show rising tendencies Attempts to raise cash by liquidating Government securi ties represented by shifts in ownership and by cash redemp tions of maturing and redeemable issues which necessitate frequent Treasury borrowing have put a great strain on the Government securities market In a situation of large in vestment demand in excess of the supply of savings together with restraint on bank credit expansion the Government securities market bears the ultimate brunt of the demand pressures For the Federal Reserve to offset the effect of these pressures by coming to the support of that market would have the effect of supplying indirectly to the money market in general the funds that it has been the intent of policy to deny Expansion of bank loans has unmistakably slowed down this year compared with the high record of the two preceding years and has been somewhat below the average for the corresponding At the same time the offsetting decline period of other years in bank holdings of Government securities has been much less Total loans and investments than in the two previous years of banks have probably shown a slightly smaller decline than the half year average for previous periods although precise seasonal measures are difficult to compute Demand deposits and currency have increased at an annual rate of a little over 1 per cent in each of the past two Time deposits have shown a much larger twelve month periods increase this year than in other recent years reflecting some shift from demand deposits The turnover of demand deposits has continued to increase showing an expansion of nearly 5 per cent in the past twelve months on top of an increase of 7 per cent in the preceding year Performance of the economy indicates that while monetary growth has been moderate it has been fully adequate and perhaps more than adequate for the economic activity that we can have on the basis of existing resources Business corporations continue to raise large amounts of funds through public offering of securities and private placement of long term loans with nonbank lenders It appears that new capital issues in June will equal a record figure of 1 4 billion bringing the half year total also to a new record of over 6 5 billion These offerings are being made at higher and higher yields In many cases underwriters have been unable to move issues at the prices at which they were offered As a result of pressures on capital markets interest rates and bond yields on existing issues have risen to or above the high levels reached last December and January In the face of the weakening market some planned issues by States and local governments have been curtailed or deferred and the total volume of such issues reduced somewhat Borrow ing on home mortgages has declined from the high records of previous years The large backlog of loans from banks on warehoused mortgages has been reduced somewhat In the aggre gate total expansion of private credit including that of State and local governments has probably been somewhat less than in 1956 and much less than in 1955 but the United States Government has released fewer funds through debt retirement than it did last year Recently prices of common stocks and stock market activity have increased again This rise has ominous implications Yields on stocks at current prices and dividend rates averaging about 3 8 per cent for high grade issues are low relative to long term interest rates Prospects for higher profits and dividends in the face of the wage price squeeze are not bright Further rises in stock even with rising prices for products prices in the face of this situation may be interpreted as an indication of an inflationary climate of opinion of widening acceptance of the idea that inflationary trends will continue Increases in farm land values may have a similar implication It is in this sort of climate that Treasury debt management and Federal Reserve credit policies for the near future have to During the half year about to end the Treasury be determined has had a cash surplus of about 9 billion which is 2 5 bil The Treasury lion less than in the same period of last year has had to meet redemptions of securities including tax anticipation issues savings bonds and attrition in maturing issues aggregating more than 13 billion 4 billion more than a year ago Thus the Treasury has borrowed new money in the market amounting to nearly 6 billion this year compared with no new borrowing last year and has shown a smaller increase in its cash balance In the next half year the Treasury deficit may be slightly larger than in the same period of 1956 and cash redemptions of securities are likely to continue greater and could be very much greater if there should be a wave of redemption of savings bonds New money borrowing may well equal 10 billion or more compared with gross borrowing of 7 5 billion in the same period last year These amounts include offerings to replace maturing tax bills as well as attrition in other maturing issues redemptions of savings bonds and the deficit Maturing issues to be refunded including tax bills now outstanding exceed 25 billion for the July December period of which 14 4 billion are held by the Federal Reserve The Treasury s task is to offer securities with yields and terms that will attract funds from other uses Clearly rates will need to be higher than those previously offered The task of Federal Reserve policy is while making possible bank underwriting of occasional Treasury issues to avoid supplying the over all economy with additional reserves in amounts that will encourage inflationary expansion To the extent that bank holdings of Government securities increase the seasonal growth in other types of bank credit should be smaller Over all monetary expansion must be kept within moderate bounds if further inflation is to be avoided This can probably best be accomplished by making it necessary for banks to borrow substantial amounts in the aggregate perhaps as much as 1 billion at the Federal Reserve unless this should prove unduly restrictive Re serves might be supplied in sufficient amount to keep borrow ings down to this level as long as credit expansion continues moderate Should expansion accelerate on the basis of in creased bank borrowing from the Federal Reserve then a dis count rate increase to as much as 3 1 2 per cent would be in order The record of the past three months indicates that the tighter policy followed while restraining in its effect has not been too restrictive Monetary expansion has continued and it is evident that rising interest rates have reflected the pressure of strong credit demands Under the existing conditions and attitudes it is clear that a firm policy of restraint should be continued Mr Hayes then made a statement on the business and credit situa tion and on credit policy and his comments are set forth below The business situation has changed very little since our last meeting While it continues basically strong especially in the area of demand for final products most measures of physical activity suggest either a sideways or a slight downward movement I have in mind such items as the Federal Reserve index of industrial production total manufacturing employment and average hours worked per week There has been no significant progress in the country s real output now for more than six months and most statistical data foreshadowing future levels of business activity are less favorable than those reflecting current activity Hence the trend of physical activity seems more likely to be downward than upward for at least the next two or three months I am impressed especially by the rather convincing evidence that the investment boom is cresting out S E C figures on estimated total plant and equipment expenditures seasonally adjusted show only a slight gain from the second to the third quarter and this may be more than accounted for by the price element At the same time plant and equipment expenditures of manufacturing concerns are expected to decline Data on new orders and unfilled orders for durable goods industrial construction awards and machinery orders all point in the same direction Somewhat paradoxically these developments coincide with continued business optimism marked by some signs of speculative attitudes particularly in the stock market which appear to suggest considerable acceptance of the thesis that further inflation is inevitable despite our best efforts In the area of prices the last three weeks have witnessed some pronounced cross currents with strength in meat and steel scrap prices for example and continued weakness in non ferrous metals While wholesale prices have stabilized for the moment this stability such as it is is clearly jeopardized by the Con prospective increases in steel prices and freight rates Thus on balance sumer prices have been steadily edging upwards the price situation still seems to contain serious inflationary possibilities Credit demands remain strong both for business capital out lays and short term business needs as well as for housing and other consumer purchases but present pressures are more pro nounced in the capital markets than in the shorter term lending field There has certainly been no reflection to date in the capital markets of the apparent cresting out of plant and equipment expenditures but it would be natural to expect a Bank loan expansion con considerable lag in any such effect a year ago tinues to run well below As the Chairman pointed out at the last meeting the Treasury s financing problems over the next few months are 13grave enough to call for very careful attention by the Federal Reserve System Not only is the Treasury faced with the need to borrow 10 to 11 billion cash between now and the end of the year including perhaps 4 billion in the very near future but they also must handle large refunding operations in August and October and in the background is the fear that the rising level of interest rates will bring accelerated savings bond redemptions Coming to the question of credit policy it seems to me that a sideways or slightly declining business trend with some prospect of further weakening clearly suggests that credit restraint should not be intensified But at the same time the continuing threat of upward price pressures and the speculative attitudes to which I have referred indi cate that it would be unwise to reduce the degree of restraint we have been maintaining I do think it worth while pointing out that in time we may be confronted with a serious dilemma if prices continue to rise while utilization of material and labor resources remains level or moves downward With the projections pointing to net borrowed reserves of nearly 900 million in the week of July 3rd and more in the following week with no allowance in either case for reserves required to support bank purchases of the new Treasury offering it seems clear that sizable purchases of bills will be necessary in the near future It would be my judgment that in view of the acute unsettlement in the bond market and the tightness in the money market and in view of the general business situation already discussed it would be quite unwise to increase pressures by forcing the banks to borrow a major part of the reserves needed for this Treasury underwriting The success or failure of the August Treasury refunding will be greatly influenced by the policies we follow with respect Thus it is my opinion that we should to this cash operation be ready to provide through open market purchases most of the reserves needed for the midyear period and the bank underwriting operation As for the amount of our purchases there may be more than usual danger in adhering too closely to a specific target for net borrowed reserves such as 500 million in the period The imminence of the very large Treasury under discussion transactions together with seasonal influences might call for even larger purchases than the projections suggest in order to prevent increased tightness On the other hand it is possible that the day to day open market purchases of bills during the period of strain may have sufficient market effect so that a somewhat higher figure for net borrowed reserves would bring no real increase in tightness It seems to me that the Manager should be accorded considerable leeway to guide his operations by the feel of the market As for timing the open market purchase program should probably commence about a week from now when the bank reserve posi tion is expected to tighten rapidly and should proceed with some consistency and regularity In the New York Bank we have given careful consideration to the questions raised at the last meeting concerning the discount rate and to the reasons advanced at that time for the possible desirability of considering an increase It seems to me inevitable that an increase in the discount rate would be looked upon as a signal that we believe a more severe policy of restraint than the one we have been following is now in order There is nothing in the business and credit situation in my view to warrant such a signal nor is there evidence that member banks generally are attempting to profit by the present differential The other argument which has been ad vanced for consideration of a rate increase is that it might accelerate the current rate adjustment in the capital markets and thus encourage an equilibrium interest rate structure on which the Treasury could base its financing I think it would be preferable to keep the discount rate as a drag or anchor upon the short term end of the rate structure while natural forces of supply and demand are bringing an adjustment in longer term rates An increase in the discount rate would tend to move short term market rates higher thus narrowing the gap between long and short term rates whereas there are real advantages in maintaining a broad gap in order to improve the Treasury s chances of accomplishing a funding operation which it is to be hoped will include an appropriately priced medium term issue Furthermore there is always the chance that a higher discount rate might have the effect on balance of prolonging the upward adjustment of capital market rates All this leads me to conclude that a discount rate change at this time would be definitely disruptive I think that the wording of the directive might appropri ately be retained in its present form Mr Johns statement of his views next presented was substan tially as follows At the meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on May 28 the question arose whether the time had arrived for a change in the discount rate in an attempt to control more effectively a recalcitrant inflation as well as to facili tate the forthcoming Treasury financing Present indications are that business activity will continue close to current levels in coming months with majority opinion expecting an upturn in the fourth quarter but with no strong influences for either upward or downward movement in view Capital market demands are likely to remain heavy though possibly easing somewhat from the first half year Assuming no lessening of Federal Reserve pressure on bank reserves interest rates have probably not completed their adjustment to increased demands for funds While prices are not completely stabilized their upward movement has been slowed and wholesale prices have shown little change in the past two or three months Barring a strong resurgence of demand from some quarter of the economy a possibility not supported by present evidence in my opinion upward price movements in coming months seem likely to be small By main taining present reserve pressures and permitting interest rates to work toward an equilibrium level the System con tinues to exert strong and perhaps even increasing anti inflationary influence As I view this situation it is one which calls for continuing restraint but which does not in dicate clearly a need for further tightening at this time This conclusion is not a denial of possible need for such a move later in the year It is likewise difficult to make a clear case for a higher discount rate as a ministration to the Treasury In support of an upward move it is argued that insofar as a higher discount rate would tend to raise market rates it would discourage other borrowers and thus facilitate Treasury security placement Moreover with a higher discount rate the System could presumably with less reluctance inject re serves and permit borrowing for security purchases An alternative point of view however would hold that the Treasury s financing problem while serious is one of selecting an appropriate price which would be consistent with temporary underwriting by the System It seems almost certain that the System must assist the Treasury in its coming financing I think this should be done without pique and that such action can be defended not as a bailing out of the Treasury but as a move in the public interest System action should however be conceived and executed as temporary underwriting assisting the market to effect permanent lodgment of the new securities as expedi tiously as the circumstances permit but providing reserves With only for such period as may be reasonably necessary continued restraint on reserves through open market opera tions and discounting this underwriting service can surely be executed as readily at the present discount rate as at a higher one The Federal Reserve System now enjoys as some are wont to say independence within government I hold this inde pendence valuable because I believe it serves the public in terest better than any probable alternative status But this independence will be preserved only if it is used responsibly In the presence of a clear case for a higher discount rate the responsible act is to raise the rate But if no clear case can be made as I believe it can not at present raising the rate might appear as flaunting our independence Such a step would lay us open to more blame than we can properly be held responsible for In view of Congressional hearings the forthcoming Treasury financing and the change in top Treasury management the timing for such action could hardly be worse Moreover I fail to perceive any necessity for acting regard less of relevance to real affairs in order to preserve the right to act Indeed the ultimate result in that event may be opposite to that intended In conclusion I see no clear case at present for a rise in discount rate on economic grounds or on the grounds of In opposition are the ramifica assistance to the Treasury tions of tightening at an inauspicious time Hence my recom mendation that no change be made in the discount rate at this time However since inflationary pressures have not dimin ished and may strengthen later in the year I believe the present degree of pressure on reserves should be maintained Mr Bryan said that the situation in the Sixth District was very clearly one of great economic strength situation in There had been a reversal of the manufacturing employment which for four months had been going down but which had now headed upward There had been a reversal in manufacturing payrolls also which after three months of decline now moving upward were Steel mills were operating closer to capacity than for the nation as a whole Construction contract awards for 1957 through April were substantially ahead of last year and much more sharply up than in the nation Sixth District automobile sales were up more than nationally and more than seasonally Bank loans in the district had increased and the increase had come at country banks rather than at the larger city banks at a very high level All in all Member bank borrowings were Mr Bryan described the situation as one of apparent great economic strength On the national picture Mr Mr Hayes and to some extent Mr Johns particularly Mr Hayes had urged that we might be cresting out Mr Bryan felt that if Bryan said that he understood that While this might be happening we were to rely on what we see rather than what we think we may see the national situation was one of great strength and at the same time one of great danger Putting the problem in terms of what we now see Mr Bryan said that he felt we were seeing the frittering away of a very priceless heritage of the Government of the United States namely the confidence of the American people in the integrity of the American dollar That frittering away of a priceless heritage was going on rapidly and to an alarming degree Mr Bryan reported that at the meeting of the directors of the Atlanta Bank last Friday Chairman Mitchell polled the eight members of the board and the four members of the branch boards who were present on the question of how many of them believed that the American dollar would be worth substantially less in five years to this point said that they regarded it American dollar would depreciate Mr time All 13 men who spoke as a certainty that the Bryan felt that this was a measure of the extent to which confidence in the integrity of the dollar had declined Mr Bryan said that he felt that there was an objective test of the degree of the decline in the confidence of the American dollar if we measured the level of stock prices as Mr Thomas had reported on the basis of net earnings as against present interest rates people Many he said were evidently moving to stocks purely and simply because they felt they could protect their dollar in protection was possible so far as such He reported that in Atlanta purchase of buildings was being urged on investors regardless of current yield on the basis that funds put into buildings because of increasing building costs would yield a substantial capital gain in a very few years He felt that this widespread and mounting distrust of the stability of the dollar was going to make the Treasury problem extremely difficult as time went on If we were dealing with policy in the pri vate economy only and if as a central bank we were faced with an economic situation as he had described it and if we were not con fronted with the fact that the Government was a continuous and necessi tous borrower then the case for further restriction would be in his opinion conclusive Faced with the Treasury s problem however Mr Bryan said that he did not know what was the part of wisdom Mr Williams said the high level economy of the Third District showed few signs of further ebullience although there was nobasis for concern Department store sales in three of the four weeks ending June 8 were somewhat below the same period last year For the four week period they were 1 per cent below a year ago but for the year to date were 2 per cent above Appliance sales in the Philadelphia area for the first four months of this year were sharply below last year with sales of refrigerators and vacuum cleaners off about one half home freezers ranges and water heaters one fourth and air conditioners clothes dryers and washers only slightly below last year Automobile sales continued to lag behind last year with registra tions in Philadelphia County during May 2 per cent below April and 22 per cent below May a year ago Factory employment in the district in durables and nondurables industries was down slightly in April of the April decrease was in electrical machinery Most textiles transportation equipment and Average hours worked per week were unchanged The consumer price index for Philadelphia turned down in Williams said both April Mr following four successive months of small increases The local index for April was 3 per cent above a year ago compared with a four per cent increase nationally Mr Williams reported that a decline in housing starts and a shift to the construction of higher priced homes along with tight money characterized the housing market in the Third District Slacken ing sales caused mary builders to cut back starts as early as last fall Demand for new houses was slow and prospective buyers were shopping around before making a decision Housing starts in the price ranges below 15 000 had dropped most reflecting extreme difficulty in obtaining VA financing and an increase in the price of land Con struction of medium and higher priced homes had been fairly well maintained The home builders association of Philadelphia recently signed a three year contract providing for a total wage increase of 30 cents an hour by 1959 Sales of old houses had slackened Mr Williams reported largely because asking prices had been too high Rental property demand was strong and many real estate agents reported a shortage of listings for both houses and apartments in desirable locations Mr Williams went on to say that mortgage money was reported slightly easier since the turn of the year mostly for FHA loans Funds for conventional mortgages with a third down payment and an in terest rate of 5 1 2 to 5 3 4 per cent were readily available Con ventional mortgages on new homes with a somewhat larger down payment and prime risks were available at a slightly lower rate FHA mortgages were reported to be gaining in favor with lenders There had been little change in the earning assets of district reporting banks in the past three weeks Mr Williams said Decreases in business loans in the last half of May were more than offset by an increase in the first week of June Holdings of Government had fluctuated from week to week but had changed little weeks as a whole securities for the three District banks lost deposits the decline for the three weeks amounting to 24 million or nearly 1 per cent Large Philadelphia banks stepped up their purchases of Federal funds during the past three weeks Member bank borrowing at the Reserve Bank was also at a considerably higher level With reference to policy Mr Williams said that viewing the situation on the basis of the indicators that he had cited he did not feel that any change in count rate or in Mr the degree of pressure was indicated Fulton described activity in mixed trends either the dis the Fourth District as showing Layoffs in three cities had caused them to be classed as moderate labor surplus areas Unemployment for the district as a whole was quite low but there were indications that a shortening of the work week was occurring and that of course did not get in to the unemploy ment figure Foundaries particularly were having a short work week with orders down in the automotive field and for air conditioning industry had a little The steel pickup during the past week but this was looked upon as transitory and it during July materially was expected that operations would be down The industry felt that this recent pickup was because of a substantial reduction in inventories of manufacturers who had been cutting up more steel than they had been ordering for some time particularly in the automotive field The automobile industry was now manufacturing ahead of sales and later in back very materially extraordinarily high the year would have to cut Mr Fulton felt unless inventories were to be Retail sales of automobiles had not been holding up well and were running somewhat less than a year ago Demand for business loans was still very active Mr Fulton re ported but this was not for inventory purchases or for speculation in inventories There had been an increase in member bank borrowing Mr Fulton noted Mr Hayes report that banks were not arbitraging the discount rate against the short term rate but he stated that on checking with certain banks in the Fourth District they had ad mitted that this practice was being followed Mr Fulton said that he was not certain about the advisability of an increase in the discount rate at this time The statistics would indicate that this would be an appropriate move but there were other factors in the business picture that made him question the advisability of immediate action He made it clear however that he did not feel there was any widespread weakness in the industrial picture at this time and that any letdown at present might be an adjustment for the summer doldrums strong economy In the fall he expected that there would be a very For that reason he would not want any relaxation of present credit policy This policy had been appropriate and a fine degree of restraint now existed He would not relax no would he in crease the restraint Turning to Treasury financing Mr Fulton said he hoped that the Treasury could be forthright enough to get its new money through an issue of long term bonds and pay the price necessary Whether this would be politically feasible was a matter of judgment but if the Treasury were to do that he felt that the System could give assurance that the discount rate would be held where it is at present He felt that an extension of the term of the debt would relieve pressures on the Treasury in the money market Mr Shepardson said that Mr Bryan had expressed views on the point that was giving him greatest concern Granting that some uncertainty was indicated by the information available on various activities and that there were some weak spots in the economy Mr Shepardson felt that the country had a very serious problem in the apparently growing acceptance of the idea that further inflation was inevitable This was a matter of primary concern to the Committee For this reason it had seemed to him that the Committee should be endeavoring to exercise further restraint The present time and the next three months presented a period of normal lessening of activity at this season If however the Federal Reserve were to take this as an indication of a trend and if it in any way were to relax on pressure it might put itself in a difficult position for what was widely expected in the fall Mr should continue to keep itself that later problem in Shepardson felt that the Committee a strong position for dealing with He said that he had come into this meeting feeling as he had indicated at the previous meeting that this might be the time for closing the gap between the discount rate and the short term rate He was well aware of the argument Mr Hayes had presented and he was concerned about the possibility that Mr Fulton had mentioned of banks taking advantage of the gap between the discount rate and the short term rate It seemed to Mr Shepardson that if the System did not move on the discount rate at this time there would be an increasing burden on the Federal Reserve Banks to police the discount windows carefully and in a way to minimize what had been described as complacent borrowing He was not certain what the System should do on the discount rate at this time but if it did not move the rate up ward he felt that the Reserve Banks must face the problem of policing borrowing Generally speaking he said that he would favor maintaining present restraint fully and not letting the pressure drop below the existing degree Mr Robertson said that it seemed to him that there was con siderable unanimity in the views that had been expressed this morning If there was a difference he would align himself with the views ex pressed by Messrs Bryan Fulton and Shepardson It seemed to him that the economy was extremely strong and the inflationary potential was the thing that needed to be watched The Committee should avoid as he felt the desk had marvelously avoided getting into the area of nervousness in the market We should not be panicked and we should maintain the existing tightness He would dislike very much to see any reduction in the degree of tightness during the next week He differed from Mr Bryan to the extent that he was firm in his view that the Com mittee should maintain fully the degree of tightness that had existed recently His only qualification of this statement was that conditions must be tempered in the light of the Treasury s needs but this should be done to the minimum extent and the Committee should avoid coming to the Treasury s assistance any more than was essential At the moment Mr Robertson said that his feeling on the discount rate differed from that expressed at the preceding meeting He felt that the System should not increase the discount rate at this time but it should be in position to police the discount window vigorously in the event the tendency indicated by Mr Fulton became greater In summary Mr Robertson said he would maintain as fully as possible the degree of tightness that had existed in the recent past and he felt the account should avoid letting the reserve position be eased during the next week Mr Mills said that every statement that had been made this morning had brought out very clearly that the Federal Reserve System s monetary and credit policies could not be disassociated from the Treasury s debt management problems and particularly at this time The statements also had brought out that it was incumbent on the Fed eral Reserve to develop means that would harmonize monetary and credit policy with the Treasury s debt management operations problems were emphasized very clearly in The Treasury the staff memorandum on the outlook for Treasury cash requirements and bank reserves dated June This memorandum showed that commencing in Treasury would come to the market in January and February 1958 July on estimate the each month of 1957 and on into The same report on estimate also reached the conclusion that on the Treasury s August refunding attrition on its publicly held obligations might reach 20 per cent Such attrition Mr Mills said in effect returns to the market for investment in higher yielding public and private long term obligations funds that had previously been invested in long term Treasury obligations is undesirable for under present conditions it This throws the Treasury back on the short term market to make good the attrition and in doing so is placing an almost intolerable burden on that market Mr Mills said that the discussion this morning had disclosed contrary views regarding System policy which he felt should be discussed His own views to a degree followed those voiced by Mr Fulton and in a sense were expressive not of what ought to be done but of what might be done In explanation Mr Mills then read a paper as follows The principal national financial issue that presently involves Federal Reserve System policy is a growing con flict between public and private demands on the supply of The public interest requires that the investment funds issue be resolved on the side of the public need for in vestment funds To do so necessitates that supremacy be given the Federal Treasury s needs for funds and in the process of doing so a quieting influence can be thrown over inflationary forces in the economy To achieve this purpose means that first and fore most the inviolate credit standing of the Treasury s obligations should be maintained and exalted as being the keystone in the arch of all public and private obligations The approach to this objective obviously requires the Treasury to fulfill the obligations imposed upon it by the To do so therefore recognizes that will of Congress claim on the supply the Treasury has and must assert a first Inasmuch as frequently re of available investment funds curring demands on the money market by the Treasury are dis concerting and have been conducive to an undesirable piling up of short term Treasury obligations it is necessary for the Treasury to go to the market with a moderately sized issue of long term Treasury bonds In doing so the claims of public and private bodies for the supply of available investment funds will have to give way to the first of the Treasury on the market claim The assertion of the Treasury s claim on the supply of long term investment funds can be expected to strike some degree of consternation among all other claimants on the supply of investment funds but once whatever market un settlement that first occurred has passed normal rational ization of the propriety of the Treasury s policy and analysis of the breadth of the remaining supply of investment funds will cause some claimants for such funds to defer their claims in the process of which the pressure of the expenditure of private funds throughout the economy will be alleviated Inasmuch as Treasury expenditures cover programs already largely in effect they are not believed to have the same economic impact as the expenditure of other types of public funds and of private funds destined to create entirely new projects The policies of the Federal Reserve System are of course closely allied and should be integrated with the type of Treas ury financing program recited above A first step toward that end would be an increase in the discount rate at the Federal Reserve Banks to 3 1 4 per cent in recognition of a trend in interest rates that has already been established An increase in the discount rate could be expected to clear the atmosphere of the markets and to assist in bringing about a general It is to be stabilization in the interest rate structure regretted that an increase in the discount rate at the Federal Reserve Banks was not made at least two weeks ago inasmuch as such action now taken will have been robbed of some of its surprise effects and also will have occurred at a time of of U S Government securi extreme price softness in the list ties and will be embroiled in the atmosphere attendant upon the hearings now commencing under the guidance of the Senate Finance Committee These difficulties however should not be allowed to stand in the way of discount rate action Inasmuch as an increase in the discount rate at the present time can be expected to be interpreted not only as an action toward interest rate alignment but also as an indication of a severely restrictive Federal Reserve System monetary and credit policy it is essential that the System concurrently indicate that although credit restraint will be continued there is no intention to make it so severe as to restrict unduly the credit To that granting activities of the commercial banking system end System action during the transition period during which the markets will adjust to a change in the discount rate should be to moderate rather than to increase pressure on bank reserves It would therefore be desirable to allow net borrowed reserves to remain in the lower range of 500 million over the coming reserve week and for the System open market account to show no owned Treasury bills change in its holdings of directly This type of action would give some indication to the financial community that the Federal Reserve System was not setting out on a still more restrictive credit policy and that reserves would be forthcoming in reasonable volume to meet the seasonal needs of the commercial banks for extend ing bank credit It is particularly important that some indication of such System intentions be given promptly now that the pressure on reserves is reaching increasingly into the activities of reserve city banks and country banks who have not been accustomed to operating under reserve disci pline of this character and who unless forearmed with the knowledge that they will be supplied with reserves in reasonable volume for seasonal purposes might take alarm and especially because of the fact that they are locked by depreciation into their holdings of longer term U S Govern ment securities and are consequently fully aware of their impaired liquidity In a nutshell the kind of fiscal and monetary policy that has been outlined envisages that the proper aims of the Treasury to lengthen the maturities of its obligations and to maintain the inviolate quality of such obligations will be made to serve the ends of Federal Reserve System monetary and credit policy in a way that will relieve the System of any need of pressing its policy of credit re straint to a point that would undesirably limit an equitable distribution of the available supply of credit The kind of Federal Reserve System policy outlined has in mind that specific objectives will be set and sought after and that the System will consequently avoid any form of makeshift policy that is guided only by vague generalizations Mr Vardaman said that Messrs Hayes and Johns had expressed sub stantially the views he held regarding the situation Mr Johns that the System must let it He agreed with be known without any question that reserves to meet the normal seasonal requirements would be available As to the discount rate Mr Vardaman said that he could not approve an increase at this time in view of the information available to him and his interpretations of that information and his impressions of what was going on throughout the country He could not now see a justification for an increase in the discount rate in the foreseeable future However there should be disciplining at the discount windows of the Federal Reserve Banks Mr Vardaman went on to say that he would not attempt to discuss Mr Mills without studying it carefully but in deeply thought out paper principle he was inclined to think that he would disagree with the conclusions suggested in the paper He did not quite agree with the report that Mr had given as to economic conditions in the Atlanta District seemed to him that the public was in It a very doubtful frame of mind He did not think there was any question however was a flight from the dollar Bryan but that there He could not see how at this time an increase in the discount rate would do anything other than to add to a potentially panicky feeling In sum Mr Vardaman said that he would continue the existing policy Mr Leach said that the Fifth District provided no signs to justify an expectation of an immediate change in over all activity There was some evidence of improvement in the textile industry but reports continued that the furniture industry was somewhat over inventoried at all levels A survey of district automobile dealers indicated that contrary to the national picture less than one third had better sales in May than in April As to open market policy Mr Leach said that he thought we had recently been as tight as we could have been without running too much risk This had had his approval because he had been increasingly concerned about creeping inflation He believed that we should con tinue to follow a policy of maintaining as much restraint as we reasonably could and for the immediate future he was thinking in terms of a level of net borrowed reserves of around 500 million At this time however the feel of the market was more important than at other times he said The Committee should not let the Treasury financing cause an increase in borrowing If predictions worked out we would be called upon to put in reserves but at the same time Mr Leach felt that the System should be as tight as it could in these circumstances In spite of the strong demand for credit which had led to an increase in market rates Mr Leach said that he thought it be inappropriate to increase the discount rate at this time seen no evidence in would He had recent loan figures or in conversations with Fifth District bankers that the use of bank credit to satisfy long term capital needs was increasing Moreover he would be fearful of possible adverse effects on the unsettled securities market of an in crease in the discount rate particularly in view of the forthcoming Treasury financing Mr Leach added that as far as the Fifth District was con cerned the existence of an undesired spread between the bill rate and the discount rate had not resulted in borrowing an increase in member bank In the week just before the longest bill rate last rose above the discount rate the week ended May 22 borrowings at the Richmond Bank averaged 44 million In the most recent week June 12 they averaged 38 million The evidence of these figures was corroborated by his knowledge of the individual banks accounting for the bulk of the borrowing There was no evidence that there was any tendency for the banks in the Fifth District to take advantage of the spread between the discount rate and the short term rate Mr Leedy said that there had been continued improvement in the moisture situation in the Tenth District since the preceding meeting It was now clear that the prolonged drought had been pretty well wiped out except in a few limited areas Moisture had caused some delay in planting of crops and had caused some replanting and in early harvests had had adverse effects but the net had certainly been on the plus side This was of great significance because of the importance of agriculture in the Tenth District As to open market policy Mr Leedy said that in the next three weeks he felt the Committee should be particularly concerned about the Treasury s problem that is its financing for 3 billion of new money which was to be done against the background of the lowest level in the Government securities market since the early 1930s He had understood Mr Mills to say that he believed the Committee should operate in the market in the light of the Treasury s requirements as the overriding factor at this time that he would not subscribe to this view It Mr Leedy said seemed to him that the Committee s obligation was primarily to the economy and secondarily to the Treasury To the extent that it just the needs of both and in could do so it this period ahead it should ad might have to temper its primary overriding responsibility to the Treasury s situation He would subscribe to what Mr Hayes had said as to market operations attempting to keep the same degree of tightness toward which operations had been directed in recent weeks but with out either easing or tightening the situation This would require considerable latitude for the Management of the System Account in the light of the needs of the Treasury in this financing period Mr Leedy said that he would not in this period adjust the discount rate Mr Mills suggestion that such a course might have a settling effect on the Government securities market would in Mr Leedy s opinion run too great a risk His inclination would be that such action might be taken as the signal of an intent to in crease the pressures on reserves He would not now suggest what might be done later with respect to an increase in the discount rate He had the feeling however that whether the System liked it or not it might be approaching a time when some increase might be necessary Mr Mills said that he wished to correct any impression that his remarks may have left that he believed that the Federal Reserve System should underwrite the success of a Treasury offering by inter vening in the market In his opinion the System had established and followed appropriate operating policies during periods of Treasury financings At such times however he also felt that the Treasury was entitled to finance under a proper market climate and that supplying the minimum background reserve assistance necessary to creating such a climate should be a purpose of System policy As the creation of a market climate does not involve direct market intervention by the System Mr Mills felt that it would be con sidered only remotely as a form of underwriting and then only in the sense that decision making by market operators as to the extent and in what manner they participated in the Treasury offerings had been made easier Mr Leedy said that he had not had the impression earlier that Mr Mills held the view he had first thought he had stated and he was glad to have this clarification Mr Allen said that optimism among Seventh District business men had not diminished in the past three weeks more widespread If anything it was Most statistical measures continued to indicate a high level of activity Worthy of notice was the fact that on June 3 voters in Chicago and in Cook County approved plans for a l l twenty three bond proposals on the ballot totaling 208 million This was in addition to authority which the City of Chicago already had for borrowing 250 million for various projects works and parking facilities such as airports water Plans for offerings of bonds were not yet definite but tentatively it was planned to sell around 130 million in the current calendar year and 85 million in 1958 or 1959 with most of the proceeds earmarked for construction Automobile production apparently would hold up better in July and August than had been expected Mr Allen said assemblies had been fewer each month than in Since March the preceding month In June they would be about 500 000 compared with 531 000 in May and last January at the high point privately that assemblies in Industry sources indicated July and August would be at the June rate of 500 000 per month and that September would drop to That would give for the third quarter compared with a million assembled in the third quarter of 1956 and it would mean assemblies for the nine months of 1957 of compared with in the first nine months of 1956 New models would be introduced in October and November or earlier if possible which explained the low output anticipated for September The industry did not intend to pare inventories as sharply as last year Mr Allen said and it contemplated that an inventory of 600 000 to 650 000 of 1957 and 1958 models would be on hand October 1 of this year compared with 00 000 a year earlier Dealer inventories on June 1 were close to the figure of a year ago this year against 820 000 on June Mr Allen said that his friends in the industry felt that 1957 calendar year roduction would be swelled by an inventory cars depending on acceptance of General Motors rise of 1958 models In 1956 about 200 000 cars were sold out of inventory Thus if 1957 sales only equal 1956 production could run cars compared with last year Business loans at Seventh District banks rose 48 million in the first five months of 1957 Mr Allen reported compared with a decline for the nation of roughly 200 million largely due to two kinds of borrowers The difference was first commodity dealers whose seasonal repayments resulted in an important minus in the five month national total are less important in the Seventh District and second metals firms which had been a strong borrower group so far this year are important in the Seventh District total Nevertheless borrowing by member banks at the Chicago Bank discount window had in recent weeks for a change represented less rather than more of the district s normal percentage of total discounts This appeared to result from somewhat less borrowing by Seventh District banks and more borrowing by banks in other districts Mr Allen then referred to the discount rate stating that he had come to the same conclusion that had been indicated by most of the others this morning but perhaps on a different basis All of us have sympathy with the Treasury s problem he said but if he felt that the System s responsibility in combating inflation through monetary policy indicated an increase in the discount rate he would be for it How ever he did not believe such action was required at this time in order to carry out the System s responsibility He reported that one of the largest Chicago banks had informed him a few days ago that there had been discussions emanating from New York of an increase in the prime rate but that that particular Chicago bank indicated that it would have nothing to do with such a move at this time Mr feeling was that if the prime rate were increased the System would have no option but to increase the discount rate However at this Allen s personal time he felt there was no need to take that action Mr Mangels reported a recent meeting of the branch managers of one of the large San Francisco branch banks at which the consensus was that the general situation was quite spotty with business falling off in the country areas outside San Francisco in northern California and with merchants complaining about the decline in trade On the other hand the usual sources of information indicated little change in the general economic picture on the West Coast in the past three weeks There had been little change in employment or in trade and farm prices in May were about the same as in April were down 16 per cent in April from March but during the first months of 1957 they were 2 per cent above 1956 showed a slight upward movement in May Automobile sales four Lumber production Steel mills were operating at about capacity Twelfth District banks were losing deposits Mr Mangels said although loans during the past three weeks ending June 5 were up about 5 million compared with the 300 million decline for all reporting banks in the country One of the member banks reported an unusual loan demand from national concerns There were also reports of corporations selling bills to meet dividend requirements and he added that the California State Treasurer had sold a large volume of bills in order to obtain road building funds and that city treasurers were also selling bills to obtain cash Contrary to other reports that he had been giving for some time past Twelfth District banks in recent days had been net buyers of Federal funds rather than sellers Member bank borrowing at the Federal Reserve Bank had been at quite high levels and last week reached a four year peak since early in 1953 except for a brief period late in 1955 There had been no indication that banks were taking advantage of the differential between the discount rate and the bill rate Borrowing had been distributed between city banks and country banks although city banks predominated Mr Mangels reported disturbing comments from banks that they were letting their Government securities run off and that they would not be interested in subscribing to a new offering He also reported an unfortunate development in which the Superintendent of Banks of the State of California had recently suggested to banks under his super vision that they might consider setting up a depreciation account on Government securities and while this had now been straightened out it had caused concern to the banks to which such letters had been written and to other State banks On the over all Mr Mangels said that there appeared to have been some easing of the pressures recently and that the economy was showing more stability than in the past with over all demand and supply in somewhat better balance He thought that pressure on prices would be less this year than last Mr Mangels said that he agreed with Messrs Hayes and Leedy as to the discount rate Any change now in the rate might be indicative of a more restrictive policy in the future than the Committee might wish to indicate It was Mr Mangel s view that the Committee should maintain restraint but with flexibility for the Manager of the System Account to avoid an increase in the degree of restraint at this time If anything he would modify restraint slightly taking into consideration the needs of the credit situation Mr Irons said that over all conditions in the Dallas District had not changed much in the past three weeks a sidewise movement of genuine strength The economy was still in There had been recent improve ment in retail and department store sales which had lagged in agricultural employment was up each month to new records for agriculture was much better than in past years durable goods sales were down somewhat in May Non The outlook Automobile and the last month although so far as automobile sales were concerned for the year to date they were 9 per cent ahead of a year ago despite the slight decline the past month Petroleum allowables and production had been reduced reflecting a supply demand relationship but total output was still very large Mr Irons reported that bank loans during the past three weeks declined more than a year ago the decline occurring in all categories except for a small increase in real estate loans investments were up Bank deposits and Pressure on bank reserve positions had not in creased and Mr Irons said that it was not intense There was not a great deal of borrowing and discounts at the Dallas Reserve Bank had not increased He felt sure that there were no cases of banks borrowing from the Dallas Bank to arbitrage the rate differential Borrowing was mostly by the smaller banks and in small amounts the whole the Dallas District reflected a high level On fairly stable economy as far as figures went When we moved out of the figures and into impressions Mr Irons said that the feeling of confidence seemed strong Businessmen seemed quite sure that the last quarter of the year would be a good one As Mr Bryan had indicated Mr Irons said that he found a strong tendency in the Dallas District to accept and to be reconciled to more inflation The feeling was that if the rise in prices were kept to an increase of two or three per cent a year that would be pretty good but businessmen were anticipating a continuing inflationary movement When businessmen got into that frame of mind it was a factor of danger Mr Irons said He personally was perplexed He had the feeling that the System had not been tight enough in its policy and if he had only to consider the economic situation Mr Irons said that he would still take that position However he was becoming increasingly disturbed by the present situation in securities market the Goverment Mr Irons went on to say that perhaps there was a remote chance that what was regarded as a secondary responsibility of the System might through force of events become a primary responsibility For that reason considering what was ahead for the Treasury and in view of the present situation in the Government securities market he would be reluctant to intensify restraint at this time The System should modify its position somewhat on the basis of day to day develop ments in the Government securities market It had a real responsibility with respect to the Treasury s situation he said and we were at the point where that would be a factor limiting the extent to which the System could push the policy of restrictiveness It was one thing to say that the Treasury should go to the market and price its securities at what was necessary to get the money Mr Irons said but that would have a whole series of effects and he doubted whether the System could be so orthodox in a realistic view of the market He stated that whereas earlier in the year he had favored causing banks to borrow to obtain reserves to facilitate Treasury financing in the current situa tion he believed the System should provide reserves through open market operations to be sure that banks were in a position to do what was necessary Summing up the situation Mr Irons said he would not favor changing the discount rate at this time although technicaly and theoretically it ought to be raised would be justified in increasing the Perhaps later on the Sysem rate At present he would try to maintain as much restraint on bank reserve positions as was practicable but consistent with an alertness and an awareness to the situation in the Government securities market It might be wise to go a step further than the System would go strictly on the basis of monetary policy in order to avoid letting the market become disorderly rather than waiting for it to develop into disorder and then having to correct the situation at a greater cost than if dis order were prevented Mr Irons felt that the Manager of the System Account must be very alert to the behavior of the market to the attitude of the market and to the feel of the market Since addi tional reserves would be required it might be appropriate to put funds into the market if the Management of the Account felt that conditions warranted such action on the basis of the attitude in the market Mr Erickson said that conditions in New England did not differ materially from those nationally or from those reported for other districts Nonagricultural employment in April was up and average hourly earnings were still tending up Automobile sales continued well below last year Shoe production was up from last year when it had been excellent Department store sales were not good during the first week of June Mr Erickson recalled that last year country banks used the discount window at the Boston Bank actively in May and June This had been repeated this year with very active discounting by country banks In each recent period several banks had borrowed for the first in a considerable period time So far as he could see Mr Erickson found no evidence of any bank taking advantage of the differential between the discount rate and the bill rate As to policy for the next three weeks Mr himself with Mr Hayes Erickson aligned He would not increase restraint and he would not recommend an increase in the discount rate nor would he suggest a change in the Committee s directive we were entering in He agreed with Mr Hayes that the next three weeks a very difficult period It would be necessary to rely more than recently on the feel of the market If it became necessary to supply reserves during these weeks Mr Erickson said he hoped they would be supplied through direct purchases rather than through repurchase agreements or through the discount window Mr Szymczak indicated that he concurred in general with the comments of Messrs Johns Hayes and Vardaman The practical situation was indicated by the projections of negative free reserves for July and August he suggested which indicated that there would be a continuous fairly high level of borrowed reserves during that period At the same time the Treasury s needs would be affecting the situation Mr Szymczak felt that the success of the Treasury s refunding of August maturities would be indicated to a considerable extent by the degree of success in its offering of 3 billion of securities for new cash in the next few days The figures showed that the economy was strong Mr Szymczak said and that it would continue to be strong even though there were some weaknesses stability Perhaps on the whole this indicated Mr Szymczak felt that the Committee would find it necessary to provide some reserves during the next few weeks by purchasing bills direct This would depend on the situation that developed in connection with the Treasury s financing was not merely one of attrition he noted but it The problem was the question of the effect of the offering on the whole Government securities market Summing up he said that he would not change the wording of the Committee s directive at this time and he would not change the discount rate at present He agreed that Mr Mills had a point in the statement he had made but he doubted whether it would be possible to take that action at this time his feeling being that if the rate were increased the result might well be a negative reaction Mr Szymczak emphasized that he would take no action that would make monetary policy more restrictive at this time Chairman Martin said that he sat down last night and talked to the mirror He came to the conclusion that monetary policy was working at the moment The most dramatic evidence of this was that the markets were actually demonstrating that effective adjustments The differential between stocks and bonds was were taking place changing every day Aside from the broad questions of psychology the Chairman said that he believed in the price mechanism enough to believe that this process was achieving something on a day to day basis and that it would ultimately prove effective for the economy as a whole A few weeks ago we were not having these adjustments in the market The Committee had been following a restrictive policy but the market was not actually reflecting that policy in the adjust ments which are now taking place and which were then being postponed or vitiated That atmosphere had now been dissipated the Chairman said and while he did not know what the adjustment should be so far we had had what he considered to be an orderly market He could see no real panic in it The Chairman felt it unfortunate that some of the so called panic in the present market had been created by politicians some of whom were trying to drum up an issue for the 1958 campaign on tight money The whole world today was more or less agreeing with the inevitableness of inflation the Chairman said and this was a factor that he had not known how to deal with Chairman Martin went on to say that he had great sympathy with the views that Mr Mills had expressed but that he had come to the conclusion that we could not simultaneously increase the flow of re serves and raise the discount rate effectively under present conditions He noted that the Treasury was making an announcement at the end of this week offering securities which would be open for bids next week and for which payment would be made when we are going into a seasonal demand for reserves Chairman Martin said that he felt the Committee should give the Manager of the Account as much latitude in the execution of policy as consistently could be given adding the comment that we were in a period of prosperity as well as of inflation The consensus seemed to be fairly clear Chairman Martin said that there should be no change in the directive for the next three weeks and that we should not deviate from the present general policy but that we should give the Manager of the System Account whatever latitude was needed to try to adjust around the feel of the market recognizing that in a period such as this net borrowed reserve figures were very difficult to determine He inquired whether there was disagreement with this statement of the consensus of disagreement he called upon Mr and there being no indication Rouse for comment Mr Rouse stated that he felt the Chairman had covered the views correctly Chairman Martin then said that this would stand as the consensus of the meeting and on that basis the existing directive would be ap proved without change Thereupon upon motion duly made and seconded the Committee voted unanimously to direct the Federal Re serve Bank of New York until otherwise directed by the Committee 1 To make such purchases sales or exchanges including replacement of maturing securities and allowing maturities to run off without replacement for the System open market account in the open market or in the case of maturing securities by direct exchange with the Treasury as may be necessary in the light of current and prospective economic conditions and the general credit situation of the country with a view a to relating the supply of funds in the market to the needs of commerce and business b to restraining inflationary de velopments in the interest of sustainable economic growth while recognizing uncertainties in the business outlook the financial markets and the international situation and c to the practical administration of the account provided that the aggregate amount of securities held in the System account including commitments for the purchase or sale of securities for the account at the close of this date other than special short term certificates of indebtedness purchased from time to time for the temporary accommodation of the Treasury shall not be increased or decreased by more than 1 billion 2 To purchase direct from the Treasury for the account of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York with discretion in cases where it seems desirable to issue participations to one or more Federal Reserve Banks such amounts of special short term certificates of indebtedness as may necessary from time to time for the temporary accommodation of the Treasury provided that the total amount of such certificates held at any one time by the Federal Reserve Banks shall not exceed in the aggregate 500 million To sell direct to the Treasury from the System 3 account for gold certificates such amounts of Treasury securities maturing within one year as may be necessary from time to time for the accommodation of the Treasury provided that the total amount of such securities so sold shall not exceed in the aggregate 500 million face amount and such sales shall be made as nearly as may be practicable at the prices currently quoted in the open market Chairman Martin referred to a telegram addressed to him under date of May by Congressman Wright Patman reading as follows I am taking this particular opportunity presented by the resignation of Secretary of the Treasury Humphrey and the nomination of Mr Robert Anderson to be his suc cessor to ask you and the entire Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve System to carefully study the critical financing situation that confronts the incoming I am asking you as Chairman of the Open Mar Secretary ket Committee and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve to carefully weigh the consequencesboth for the Treasury and the Federal Reserve of the continued refusal of the Open Market Committee to facili The Treasury is faced with a tate Treasury borrowings formidable refinancing task in the immediate period ahead It is confronted by one of the tightest money markets in recent times A repetition of the attrition experienced by the Treasury on its last refinancing will surely have critical repercussions throughout the entire bond market The Federal Reserve stands at an historical cross roads Its actions will be closely watched by the people of the country and above all by the Congress of the United States whose agent it is The time has come for the Open Market Committee to make a decision Will the Federal Re serve be restored to its intended function of providing the economy with the money and credit necessary to carry on commerce and trade and of aiding the Treasury in its borrow ings at such times as may be necessary or shall the System insist on standing aloof ignoring its responsibilities to the people and the Government and let the money market become the master instead of the servant I fervently hope that you will use your great influence Mr Chairman with the members of the powerful Open Market Committee and bring home to them the gravity of the situation with which the Treasury is now confronted and the opportunity for the System to make a wonderful contribution to the country I urge you Mr Chairman to recommend that the Open Market Committee commence purchases of Government bonds until they are restored to par If it is deemed necessary to offset inflationary credit expansion there are several alternatives including raising reserve requirements and other methods of immobilizing bank reserves The Federal Reserve Russia repudiates her bond 100 Board representing a majority on the Open Market Committee is permitting and causing our people who are holding market able United States Government bonds to be required to accept 12 discount on their bonds if sold today which is 12 repudiation This is certainly a national disgrace and I hope the Board takes firm positive action at once to remove this blight on our economy and the reflection on our great system of government The Chairman stated that this telegram had been placed on the agenda in order to make certain that it would not be overlooked although copies had been furnished to all members of the Committee and to all other Reserve Bank Presidents immediately upon receipt His suggestion was that no action need be taken at this time In response to a question from Mr Mangels he stated that the telegram had been acknowledged by Mr Balderston as Vice Chairman of the Board while he Chairman Martin was in Europe Mr Hayes stated that he had wondered whether the Chairman himself might wish to respond further and Chairman Martin stated that in his judgment no further action was needed at this time Chairman Martin then referred to the Guides for Emergency Operations for the Federal Open Market Committee copies of which had been distributed to all members of the Committee and to all Reserve Bank Presidents under date of May been prepared pursuant to the program contemplated in the Subcommittee on Defense Planning The guides had the report of approved at the meeting of the Open Market Committee on January As one of the steps necessary to implement that program the Committee at its on January 24 meeting 1956 requested members of the staff to prepare guides for open market operations with the understanding that they would be brought before the Committee for whatever discussion or action the Committee desired job had been done in Chairman Martin stated that he felt that a splendid preparing these guides and unless there were addi tional comments he felt that they should be accepted There was no disagreement with Chairman Martin s suggestion and it was understood that copies would be furnished to all in relocation or records centers addition to the copies that had been sent to the Federal Reserve Banks Chairman Martin inquired of Mr Robertson whether he had any comments to make on the program for Operation Alert 1957 and Mr Robertson stated that he felt no comment was necessary at this time since the matter would be discussed at the joint meeting of the Presidents and the Board this afternoon Mr Vardaman withdrew from the meeting at this point Chairman Martin stated that yesterday he had lunch with Mr Anderson Secretary of the Treasury designate and that he anticipated that the System would be very fortunate in its relations with the new Secretary It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held at 10 00 a m on Tuesday July Thereupon the meeting adjourned Secretary View Historical Minutes United States. Federal Open Market Committee. "Meeting, June 18, 1957," Federal Open Market Committee Meeting Minutes, Transcripts, and Other Documents (June 18, 1957). https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/title/677/item/22772/content/pdf/fomchistmin19570618, accessed on January 20, 2020. https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/title/677/item/22772/content/pdf/fomchistmin19570618	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24605
__label__wiki	0.819438	0.819438	Home » Films » What We Know About Captain Marvel 2019 So Far What We Know About Captain Marvel 2019 So Far 2019 Captain Marvel’s first trailer was released just recently on September 18, 2018 and after just 2 days; the trailer already got 18 million views on Youtube. This should pretty much tell us how hot this movie. So with no further ado, let’s see what we know about Captain Marvel so far! 1. Who is Captain Marvel? 2. What we know about Captain Marvel 2019 Meet Captain Marvel! (Source: Internet) Captain Marvel is a female superhero in Marvel Universe and arguably one of the most know Marvel superheroes. And in case someone mistakes her for other character, this Captain Marvel has no relation to the “Captain Marvel” Shazam in DC Comics. In fact, at the beginning Shazam was called Captain Marvel for a short period until Marvel Comics claimed copyright of the name. In Marvel Comics, Captain Marvel’s real identity is Carol Susan Jane Danvers (or Carol Danvers for short) – a former US Air Force intelligence agent, security captain for NASA, and a famous writer and editor. Captain Marvel’s Background Carol Danvers in her early years as Ms Marvel (Source: Internet) Like many other superheroes in Marvel Universe, Carol Danvers had quite a difficult early life. She was the eldest child among the three in a traditional Boston family. But for some reason, her father did not accept woman as man’s equal, resulting in Carol’s constant effort in proving her worth before him. But no matter how hard she tried, her father chose his middle son to be able to join college despite Carol’s superior academic performance. When Carol was 18, she decided join the US Air Force and she quickly reached the top. Then one day, she was shot down and captured by a man called Ghazi Rashid while flying with an experimental jet through Arabic air space. Carol got tortured for days, but surprisingly she escaped despite all the serious injuries, thus even able to inform the intelligence community. Despite all these hardship, she got recognized and recruited to into Air Force Intelligence. Around this time, she also worked with famous figures like Black Widow, Logan (Wolverine), and Victor Creed (Sabretooth). Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel (Source: Internet) At one point, NASA offered Carol a position as the head security; however, it also started a long time of hardship in Carol’s life. Here, she met a Kree soldier named Mar-Vell. Then months later, she was kidnapped by an alien robotic intelligence called Cyberex. But everything did not stop there. She was eventually kidnapped (again) by a Kree commander named Yon-Rogg, and she even had to fight against Mar-Vell. During the battle, she was knocked to a damaged Kree device named Psyche-Magnitron which changed her genetic structure into a half-Kree while at the same time giving her superpower. After all those incidents, Carol was kind of demoted, which led her to write angry stories about NASA and eventually became a writer. This was also the time when Carol had a dual personality due to the Psyche-Magnitron’s effect. Thankfully, she got helps from Hecate and Ronan the Accuser and eventually recovered from her fractured memories. Since then, Carol established herself as a prominent hero in New York who worked with famous superheroes like Spider Man or the Avengers. Captain Marvel Power Never pick a fight with a superhuman girl! (Source: Internet) Since Carol’s body was enhanced by the Psyche-Magnitron device, her overall physiology became superhumanly powerful in all aspects from strength, durability, stamina, speed, reflexes, to agility. She is also capable of flying. She can fly at 3 times the speed of sound for a very long time; however, her true top speed is still unknown. With all that said, her most powerful ability is the Energy Absorption power which allows her to absorb various energies to temporary boost her own physical power. She is also capable of firing photon and stellar-light energy blast from her hands. Carol is also capable of Cosmic Awareness, which allows her to predict enemy’s attacks. However, this ability is rather unreliable due to its inconsistency. Binary – Carol Danvers’ ultimate form (Source: Internet) And if you think Captain Marvel’s power to be unimpressive, that is because you haven’t seen her prime in the form of Binary. At a certain point in Carol’s life, she was abducted (Carol really has some problem with abduction and kidnapping, isn’t she?) by the alien Brood and used as an experimental subject for an evolutional ray. As the result, the ray gave a boost to her genes, making her a cosmic mutate called Binary. As Binary, Carol was at least two times stronger (possibly even much higher) than her normal Captain Marvel state. Her power was linked with the power of a white hole which can generate heat, light, radiation, and almost all other forms of energy in nigh-solar level. She gained extremely more powerful physiology and even traversed space with no issue, while in her normal Captain Marvel state she required some supporting gears. It was said that Carol’s Binary form could even survive the space vacuum without any sort of aid. Although Carol has lost this Binary power, it is rumored that she could regain Binary form once again for a short period if she can absorb enough energy. Captain Marvel’s Release Date March 8, 2018, stay tune! (Source: Internet) Captain Marvel’s released date is confirmed to be March 8, 2019. This means the film is set between Avengers Infinity War 2018 and Avengers 4. This is quite a good set-up since by the end of Avengers Infinity War; Nick Fury did give a hint of Captain Marvel’s appearance with her insignia. For this reason, many people speculate that Captain Marvel will definitely appear in Avengers 4 and high chance that she will play an important role in defeating Thanos. What’s Captain Marvel Story? Back to Earth, find yourself (Source: Internet) Unlike many other superhero origin films like Captain America The First Avenger, Iron Man, or Thor, Captain Marvel is said to not take place when she was a pure human, but after she got her enhanced half-Kree physiology. The film is confirmed to take place during the 90s. In the trailer, we saw Carol fell from the sky and it seemed she had worked as a member of Kree military force known as Starforce prior to this scene. For some reason, she decided to leave the Starforce and return to Earth in order to seek answers of her origins and her true self. That said; this path of her will not be a simple one as it is revealed that the Skrulls will make appearance in the film. The Skrulls is an aggressive shapeshifting alien race and they are mortal enemy of the Kree. Judging by this info, there is high chance that we will get to see a battle between the Skrulls and the Kree on Earth. And Captain Marvel will play a vital role in putting an end to it. Captain Marvel Confirmed Cast Brie Larson as Carol Danvers (Source: Internet) Captain Marvel 2019 is directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Of course, we already know the actress who will play as Carol Danvers/Captain America: Brie Larson. Interesting enough, her Captain Marvel suit is kind of different than her original comic version with the bright-blue tone rather than dark blue/red. But possibly this is just her Starforce uniform. Meet young Nick Fury! (Source: Internet) Samuel L.Jackson is 100% confirmed to appear as younger version of Nick Fury. In this timeline, he still has both of his eyes intact and he seems to already know Carol. He is also expected to be a prominent supporter. Who wants to see Coulson again? (Source: Internet) Another fan favorite character – the younger version of S.H.I.E.L.D agent Phil Coulson (played by Clark Gregg) will also return; however, his role detail is yet unknown. Mar-Vell, captain of the Starforce (Source: Internet) Mar-Vell (played by Jude Law), Carol’s Kree friend in the original comic, will appear as the leader of Starforce and also Carol’s mentor who helps her in mastering her newfound power. Ronan the Accuser – why he becomes a villain? (Source: Internet) Ronan the Accuser (played by Law Pace) will return and he is more likely to play the role of Starforce’s associate. Note that during this timeline he was not the villainous like his future in Guardians of the Galaxy 2014. However, it will be fascinating if the film explains why he becomes a villain in the later movie. It is also possible that he will play an important role in invoking the war with the Skrulls. On the Skrulls side, we have Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn) – leader of the Skrulls, and of course, his motive is still one big question. And that’s it folks! If there is any other info we’re missing, please let us know and for now, thank you and stay tune for more news in the future! Marvel Comics HD Wallpapers New Tab Theme The Problems with DCEU: Why DCEU is falling behind MCU? Top 20 Best MCU Movies to Date (Updated September 7, 2018) The Story of Batman’s Most Dangerous Villain: The Joker Movie History The Top 40 Upcoming Movies 2018 (Starting from September 24, 2018) The Emperor of the Seven Seas is back: 2018 Aquaman Review! Captain Marvel HD Wallpapers New Tab Themes Who Is The Black Panther and Why Does He Matter? The World Needs Heroes! A Justice League 2017 Preview Does The League Do Its Justice? A Justice League 2017 Review! Upcoming Movies 2019: Top 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019! Films captain marvel, marvel-dc, mcu-dceu, movies-films	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24607
__label__cc	0.640977	0.359023	ArticlesEducationUS News Dumbing Down of America? California School District’s New Grading Scale Gives out Cs for “Doing Absolutely Nothing at All” Melissa Dykes November 1, 2015 A school district north of San Francisco has decided to implement a new “grading system” that almost entirely negates the point of, well, grading systems. Via The Daily Caller: Under a new policy, students will be able to earn passing grades with scores of just 20 percent — and a solid C for doing absolutely nothing at all… The Cotati-Rohnert Park grade scale deviates from the traditional, well-established A-through-F scale by distributing grades in 20-percent increments from 0 to 100 percent, and by only giving grades of F for students with scores below 20 percent. Thus, students who receive a score of 80 will be awarded an A-. In fact, any grade from 80 to 100 will be either an A or A-. By way of comparison, most students in America who score between 80 and 85 in a given class are sent home with either a B- or a B. An accumulated percentage of 41 percent — which merits a well-deserved grade of F across most of the country — will now warrant a C- from the Northern California school district. A measly percentage of 20-40 warrants passing grades between D- and D+. Along with the new scale, teachers are now required, by district-wide rule, to always give students at least a 50%, even if they never complete any work at all. In other words, Cs for everyone! Guess no child really ever will be left behind. So far, the scale has led to students realizing they can skate by with “massive grade inflation.” Teachers say they’re already seeing kids try way less because the kids have figured out it doesn’t matter anyway. Why work extra hard studying for that A on a test when 80% will basically get a kid the same result? In fact, the scale will likely quash any incentive some kids have to do anything academically in school at all period. Talk about being dumbed down… At that point, why grade at all? In fact, the wimpy excuse for a grading system is likely more harmful that just not giving grades in the first place. californiaeducationmelissa dykes Previous The Many “Conservative” Faces of American Statism Next German Muslim: “Islam is coming to take over Germany whether you want it or not!” “Your daughters will wear hijab” (VIDEO) Melissa Dykes Melissa Dykes is a writer, researcher, and analyst for The Daily Sheeple and a co-creator of Truthstream Media with Aaron Dykes, a site that offers teleprompter-free, unscripted analysis of The Matrix we find ourselves living in. Melissa also co-founded Nutritional Anarchy with Daisy Luther of The Organic Prepper, a site focused on resistance through food self-sufficiency.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24609
__label__wiki	0.744376	0.744376	Rebuttals News Ticker > [ January 20, 2020 ] Muslims chant about killing Jews outside Triumphal, Supremacist Mosque in Jerusalem Palestinian Authority Newspaper: An Assassination Would Cancel International Holocaust Ceremony in Jerusalem BREAKING! Impeachment ‘Kill Switch’: McConnell Dismissal Rule Corners Democrats Violent Antifa Will Pretend to be MAGA & NRA Advocates at Virginia 2nd Amendment Rally Trump lawyers respond to articles of impeachment: ‘Constitutionally invalid’ UK: Muslim STABS 10-year-old boy in the street while out with his mother Bernie Sanders supported Iran when they kidnapped 52 American diplomats and citizens and kept them... Leftist Moron Ron Reagan says his father ‘would be ashamed’ of Trump British Muslim issues YouTube death threat to critics of Islam By Pamela Geller - on April 27, 2017 The only thing more dangerous than these threats and the accompanying bloodshed is the West’s submission to the demands. Islamic law forbids criticism of Islam, Quran, Muhammad. If they cannot be criticized in the US, we are in effect accepting Islamic law as overriding the freedom of speech. This would establish Muslims as a protected class and prevent honest discussion of how Islamic jihadists use the texts and teachings of Islam to justify violence and supremacism. The Muhammad cartoons are a flash point in the discussion about free speech because according to Islamic law they are blasphemy, punishable by death. Many have been killed over them. At issue is whether we will protect those who draw them and exhibit them, and thereby protect free speech and free society, or censor ourselves and others over them, thereby in effect adopting Sharia. Muslim issues YouTube death threat to critics of Islam By Robert Spencer, April 26, 2017: Anthony Small, a convert to Islam in Britain, tries to couch his threats as a warning and an effort to “protect” those who criticize Islam. However, his references to the Charlie Hebdo jihad massacre and Salman Rushdie make it very clear what he is saying. Note his praise of the post-massacre Charlie Hebdo editor who promised never to draw Muhammad. He is saying that saving one’s life for a few years is preferable to standing up to violent intimidation and the forcible imposition of Sharia blasphemy laws. Small’s appeal stands in contrast to the murdered Charlie Hebdo editor Charb, who said he would rather die standing up rather than live on his knees. Well, is it? That is the question before all of us. Do we as a society prefer to live according to the rules that Small and other thugs impose upon us at the point of a gun, or do we stand up and say, “Enough,” and resist him and his ilk, despite the risks? Small also invites the Islam critics to embrace Islam. Note that this now gives him and other Muslims a license to kill those he has named and other Islam critics. That is because a hadith depicts Muhammad saying that one must first invite the unbelievers to Islam before going to war with them: “Muhammad said: “Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah. Make a holy war…When you meet your enemies who are polytheists, invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these you also accept it and withhold yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them…. If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah’s help and fight them.” (Sahih Muslim 4294) The Truth Must be Told Your contribution supports independent journalism Please take a moment to consider this. Now, more than ever, people are reading Geller Report for news they won't get anywhere else. But advertising revenues have all but disappeared. 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Geller’s articles and op-eds have been published in Time Magazine, the Guardian, Commentary Magazine, Fox News, The Washington Times, Breitbart News, The Hill, Human Events, The American Thinker, Newsmax, Pajamas Media, Israel National News, among other publications. Pamela Geller has been the subject of a profile on 60 Minutes, and of cover stories in the Sunday New York Times Metro section and the UK’s Independent. The Times also published an in-depth interview with her. She has made appearances on NBC Nightly News, ABC, CNN, AP, Reuters, the Sean Hannity Show, the Bill O’Reilly Show, Red Eye, Geraldo, the Mike Huckabee show, and other shows on the Fox News channel. She has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Village Voice, the Daily Mail and the Telegraph. Stay on top of the news the media censors and scrubs. Subscribe here (it's free). Follow Pamela Geller on Facebook here and Twitter here. 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The true story of the Islamic Supremacist war on free speech as told by those on the front lines fighting for our First Amendment rights, . Pamela Geller tells her own story of how she became one of the world's foremost activists for the freedom of speech, individual rights, and equality of rights for all. "It's my story, it's what happens when someone fights for freedom in America today," Geller explained. Today Islamic supremacists are demanding more accommodation of Islamic principles and practices than ever, and daily growing more aggressive in eroding our freedoms – with politically correct public officials only too happy.. Popular conservative blogger Pamela Geller and New York Times bestselling author Robert Spencer sound a wake-up call for Americans to stop the Obama administration from limiting our hard-won... The Ground Zero Mosque: The Second Wave of the 9/11 Attacks is a groundbreaking documentary on the controversy over the planned Islamic supremacist mega-mosque at Ground Zero. News Tip* Copyright © 2020 Geller Report News	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24611
__label__wiki	0.505191	0.505191	Caroline "Carrie" Gole[1] Personal Information \| Notes \| Sources \| Event Map \| All \| PDF Name Caroline "Carrie" Gole Born 1876 Palmerston, Peel Township, Wellington Co., Ontario [2, 3, 4, 5] Name Caroline "Carrie" Gingras Father John S. Gole, b. 6 Mar 1850, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada , d. 1910 (Age 59 years) Mother Anna Margareth "Nancy" Gilles, b. 2 Apr 1854, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada , d. 1934 (Age 79 years) Family Joseph Gingras, b. 15 Jul 1873, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec , d. Jul 1946 (Age 73 years) Married 12 Apr 1899 Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario [3] 1. Edward Gingras 2. Albert Gingras 3. Arthur Gingras 4. Joffre Gingras 5. Wilfred Gingras 6. Alice Gingras 7. Blanche M. Gingras, b. 7 Nov 1900, , Ontario, Canada , d. Yes, date unknown Mrs. Caroline Gingras, 83, of 15 Cameron St. north, died Friday, June 5, at the Calcott Nursing Home, Stratford, after a brief illness. Born April 8, 1876, in Wallace township, she was a daughter of the late John Gole and the former Nancy Gillis. A former resident of Stratford for many years, she came to Kitchener in 1954. She attended Alma Street United Brethren Church. Her husband, Joseph Gingras, predeceased her in July, 1946. Surviving are five sons, Edward, Albert, Arthur, all of Stratford, Joffre of Brantford and Wilfred of Toronto; two daughters, Alice Gingras of Kitchener and Mrs. B. G. (Blanche) Pinner of North Hollywood, Calif.; three brothers, John Gole of Kitchener, Leander Gole of West Montrose and Joel Gole of Richan, Ont.; a sister Mrs. Catherine Thoman of Waterloo, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. [S257] Census - ON, Perth, Wallace - 1881, Division 3 Page Number 15 Household Number 66. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 015686-99. Joseph GINGRAS, 28, mechanic, Montreal, Hespeler, s/o M (?) GINGRAS & Flavia VALIQUETTE married Caroline GOLE, 23, Palmerston, Waterloo Twp, d/o John GOLE & Nancy GILLES, witn: Alexander ROOS of Hespeler & Catherine GOLE of Waterloo Twp 12 April 1899 in New Germany [S86] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1901, Waterloo (South/Sud) G-4 Page 1. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 3 Page 50. Born - 1876 - Palmerston, Peel Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Occupation - Servant - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Religion - Mennonite - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 12 Apr 1899 - Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24612
__label__cc	0.631959	0.368041	Effects of serum on lymphokines producing capabilities of CD8+ T cells Ryu, S.Y.; Yoon, W.K.; Cho, S.W.; Kim, M.K.; Kim, T.H., 1994: Effects of serum on lymphokines producing capabilities of CD8+ T cells. Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 34(3): 441-446 The responsiveness of CD8+ T cell sub populations according to serum-containing and serum-free conditions was investigated. Cells were freshly isolated from the spleen of mature adult BALB/C mice between 13-20 weeks of age. In serum-free conditions CD8+ T cells produced small amounts of IL-2 and significant amounts of IFNr following activation when compared to those in conditions containing serum. Mourez, M.; Collier, R.John., 2004: Use of phage display and polyvalency to design inhibitors of protein-protein interactions. We describe the synthesis of an inhibitor that interferes with critical protein-protein interactions occurring during the assembly of anthrax toxin. Using a phage display selection strategy, we isolated a peptide directed against the cell binding... Intrieri, M.C.; Buiatti, M., 2001: The horizontal transfer of Agrobacterium rhizogenes genes and the evolution of the genus Nicotiana. A study was conducted to examine the distribution and the sequences of Agrobacterium rhizogenes rol genes in Nicotiana species to try to clarify their evolution in the genus and their putative influence on Nicotiana species differentiation, throug... Maki, T., 2013: Quantitative approach for small molecules using laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Recent advances in quantitative approaches to laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) are selectively reviewed. Numerous efforts have been made to use matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and rela... Bunina T.L.; Rafalovskaya I.Y., 1969: Changes in vessels during amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Zhurnal Nevropatologii i Psikhiatrii Imeni S S Korsakova 69(1): 11-17 Klinnert, M.D.; Nelson, H.S.; Price, M.R.; Adinoff, A.D.; Leung, D.Y.; Mrazek, D.A., 2001: Onset and persistence of childhood asthma: predictors from infancy. In a prospective study of children with a family history of asthma, asthma onset by 3 years of age was found previously to be positively associated with variables from the first year of life, including elevated total immunoglobulin E (IgE), freque... Raab, W.; Kaiser, E.; Babacek, W., 1966: Studies on the origin of urokinase. Zeitschrift für Biologie 115(4): 310-312 Du, X.Hong.; Dai, X.Xia.; Xia Song, R.; Zou, X.Zhen.; Yan Sun, W.; Mo, X.Yan.; L.B.i, G.; Xiong, Y.Min., 2012: SNP and mRNA expression for glutathione peroxidase 4 in Kashin-Beck disease. Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a chronic endemic osteoarthropathy, which mainly occurs in West and Northeast China. Epidemiological studies suggest that Se deficiency is an important environmental factor for the incidence of KBD. Glutathione peroxid... Calnek, B.W.; Madin, S.H., 1969: Characteristics of in vitro infection of chicken kidney cell cultures with a herpesvirus from Marek's disease. Infection of chicken kidney (CK) cell cultures by JMCT tumour cells (a JM-infected subline free from RIF) or by JM-infected cells from other CK cultures was inefficient when measured in terms of resultant, dose-dependent focal lesions. Large numbe... Udoratin, V.V., 2010: Analysis of deep-seated crustal and upper mantle structures with the use of earthquake exchange waves. Vestnik Instituta Geologii Komi Nauchnogo Tsentra UrO RAN Traverso, M.; Bruno, C.; Broccolini, A.; Sotgia, F.; Donati, M.A.; Assereto, S.; Gazzerro, E.; L.M.naco, M.; Modoni, A.; D'Amico, A.; Gasperini, S.; Ricci, E.; Zara, F.; Lisanti, M.; Minetti, C., 2008: Truncation of Caveolin-3 causes autosomal-recessive Rippling Muscle Disease. Dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis and unspecified myositis are idiopathic inflammatory myopathies in which prednisone is usually started as soon as the diagnosis has been established. Therefore, little is known about the natural history of these...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24614
__label__wiki	0.65989	0.65989	The Making of Videos Written & Directed by Michael Thomas Daniel Staring Lin Shaye Rico E Anderson Robert Miano GET GONE THE MOVIE Lin Shaye on Get Gone Director Michael Thomas Daniel & Executive Producer Joseph D Shelley Present Get Gone Get Gone is thriller starring Lin Shaye, Rico E. Anderson, Weston Cage Coppola and Robert Miano. Written, produced and directed by Michael Thomas Daniel it is the story of Hoax Busters, an internet 'fake video' team take a weekend retreat after busting another online lie to do some team building. They travel to Whiskey Flats OR and meet with Craig Eubanks, a shifty, bossy know-it-all outdoor guide who promises them his company, Rocks and Roots will build their team confidence. At the same time, an invasive drilling company with the rights handed over by the Federal government are moving onto the land of a family that has lived on the property, illegally, for over 30 years. When the drillers attack the family and the Hoax-busters get caught in the middle, things quickly go awry. Starring Lin Shaye As Mama Lin attended the University of Michigan, where she was an Art History major, although acting in as many University productions as possible, including "Bye Bye Birdie" and "On The Town". After U of M, she attended Columbia University School of the Arts, and acquired a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting. She stayed in New York upon graduation and worked in numerous off- and off-off- Broadway productions, as well as Lincoln Center and Broadway. She has studied with some of the finest: Uta Hagen, Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg. Lin is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio. As Ranger Rico An award winning actor, Rico's selected film and television credits include; Truth Be Told on the new Apple TV+ network, S.W.A.T. on CBS, The Orville on FOX and Young & Hungry on Freeform. Other selected works include, The Mick, Grey's Anatomy, The Fosters, NCIS, Modern Family, Criminal Minds, K.C. Undercover, Two and a Half Men, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, Days of our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful, Sullivan & Son, Justified and The Shield. And recently Get Gone opposite Lyn Shaye and Robert Miano. Weston Cage Coppola As Patton Maxwell Weston Cage Coppola was born on December 26, 1990 in Los Angeles, California, USA as Weston Coppola Cage. He is an actor, known for Drive Angry (2011), Joe (2013) and Lord of War (2005). He has been married to Hila Aronian since April 28, 2018. He was previously married to Danielle Cage and Nikki Williams. As Don Maxwell Robert Miano was born in New York City and raised in the South East Bronx around when Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra played for the New York Yankees. In school, Robert joined the Glee Club and realized that he had a gift for singing. At the age of 15, he started his showbiz career when a talent agent heard him singing with a Du-op Group on a Bronx street corner. This lead to a recording of "Kingdom Of Love" by the Preludes on the Cub Label, a new subsidiary of MGM Records. Today "Kingdom Of Love" is a collector's item and is still being played on the "Oldies but Goodies" Radio Station in New York. Through the years, Robert continued to make records and ultimately became a Columbia Recording Artist. John Henry Whitaker As the Foreman Caitlin Stryker As Connie Michael McBee Silvia Spross Silvia Surveyor Bradley Robert Stryker As Grant Adam Bitterman Craig Eubanks Gwyn LaRee Carol / Operator Brittany Benita Emily Shenaut As Abbey Rose Luke B. Carlson As Scott Whizzer Bailey Coppola As Apple Maxwell Joseph D Shelley Cory Crouser As Kyle Hamm Tristan David Luciotti As Tommy Bont Stefan Hajek As Grady Greer Michael Thomas Daniel Writer Director Director/Writer Michael Thomas Daniel Executive Producer Joseph D Shelley Michael Thomas Daniel \| Mark David \| DJ Dodd Composer NIGHT JAY SOUND & StrangeBird Cinematographer Mark David Editor Erich Demerath Casting Director Michael Thomas Daniel Sweet Nelly Productions PO BOX 31 Cascade Locks OR 97014 Follow and Like On	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24615
__label__wiki	0.641802	0.641802	Email: info@gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk Why does unwarranted variation matter? GIRFT methodology GIRFT implementation Clinical Leads Clinical Ambassadors Good Practice Handbooks Good Practice Commissioning Guidance Model Hospital NCIP Thrombosis Survey Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance Professor Tim Briggs CBE Tim was appointed to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital as Consultant in 1992. His specialist interests are in orthopaedic oncology as well as surgery to the hip and knee. He was Medical Director at the RNOH for 15 years, ensuring a re-build and was President of the British Orthopaedic Association in 2014. He was appointed as National Director for Clinical Quality and Efficiency for the NHS in September 2015 and has been asked to lead and roll out his GIRFT methodology, developed in orthopaedics, across all surgical and medical specialties within the provider network. In January 2019, he was made National Director of Clinical Improvement for the NHS. Professor Briggs was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List for services to the surgical profession. Rachel Yates New GIRFT lead to follow-up on cardiothoracic report MBE for GIRFT diabetes joint lead More sight-saving surgery possible, says national report Project aims to empower diabetes patients GIRFT review of mental health gets under way East Midlands and East of England North East, North Cumbria and Yorkshire GIRFT is delivered in partnership with the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and NHS England and NHS Improvement © Getting It Right First Time Website Design: Andrew Burdett Design This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept No Thanks Read our Privacy Policy	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24618
__label__wiki	0.852056	0.852056	← Quick Pics: Excess Mondays at Mansion Miami (6-3-13) GETPlugged: Maurice Cheeks Hired As Detroit Pistons Head Coach → GETPlugged: Kanye West NY Times Interview One of the things I thought when I heard the new record was, “This is the anti-’College Dropout.’ ” It feels like you’re shedding skin. Back then, you were like: “I want more sounds. I want more complicated raps. I want all the things.” At what point did that change? Architecture — you know, this one Corbusier lamp was like, my greatest inspiration. I lived in Paris in this loft space and recorded in my living room, and it just had the worst acoustics possible, but also the songs had to be super simple, because if you turned up some complicated sound and a track with too much bass, it’s not going to work in that space. This is earlier this year. I would go to museums and just like, the Louvre would have a furniture exhibit, and I visited it like, five times, even privately. And I would go see actual Corbusier homes in real life and just talk about, you know, why did they design it? They did like, the biggest glass panes that had ever been done. Like I say, I’m a minimalist in a rapper’s body. It’s cool to bring all those vibes and then eventually come back to Rick [Rubin], because I would always think about Def Jam. Read more of the interview after the jump His records did used to say “reduced by Rick Rubin.” For him, it’s really just inside of him. I’m still just a kid learning about minimalism, and he’s a master of it. It’s just really such a blessing, to be able to work with him. I want to say that after working with Rick, it humbled me to realize why I hadn’t — even though I produced “Watch the Throne”; even though I produced “Dark Fantasy” — why I hadn’t won Album of the Year yet. This album is moments that I haven’t done before, like just my voice and drums. What people call a rant — but put it next to just a drumbeat, and it cuts to the level of, like, Run-D.M.C. or KRS-One. The last record I can remember — and I’m going to name records that you’ll think are cheesy — but like, J-Kwon, “Tipsy.” People would think that’s like a lower-quality, less intellectual form of hip-hop, but that’s always my No. 1. There’s no opera sounds on this new album, you know what I mean? It’s just like, super low-bit. I’m still, like, slightly a snob, but I completely removed my snob heaven songs; I just removed them altogether. This entry was posted in GETPlugged and tagged Def Jam, Kanye West, NY Times, NY Times Interview, Rick Rubin. Bookmark the permalink. GETDipped: Chanel Tweed Fingerless Gloves GETDipped: New Watch Alert >>> HUBLOT U.S. Liberty Bang Limited Edition Watch GETWhipped: Jaguar Celebrates F-Type News with Wyclef & Friends Video: Nicki Minaj ft. Chris Brown – Right By My Side Video: Beyonce Pepsi Commercial Fabolous Performs “Yall Don’t Hear Me Tho” At Vinnies Styles In Brooklyn (Video) An Open Letter to my son "TJ" on Father's Day GU Exclusives: Brand Nubian Love Me Or Leave Me Alone Live Performance @ Bardot Miami MDW 2012 Spotted: Cafeina Lounge - Art Gallery (Wynwood) Miami Spotted: Icebar Orlando	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24620
__label__wiki	0.892114	0.892114	Divers rescue FPSO Kwame Nkrumah worker who fell in ocean A Sub-contractor working with Tullow Oil Ghana on the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah escaped death after he fell from the massive vessel into the high current waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the oil exploration enclave offshore Jubilee Cape Three Points last Tuesday. FPSO Kwame Nkrumah The cause of the incident was not immediately known. It took the swift action of divers, whose rescue operation took less then 10 minutes, to pull the man, who is a sub-contractor on board the FPSO, from the water. The managers of the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah, MODEC Ghana Limited, and the Jubilee lead operator, Tullow Oil Ghana, said operations offshore Jubilee were not negatively impacted by the act and that all activities were continuing as normal. A source on the production platform told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the man, whose name and other details were being protected, was a contractor working on the FPSO. It said at the time the man, believed to be a South African, fell from the vessel, he was in full personal protective clothing, including his life jacket. At that particular moment an ocean-going tanker was preparing for off-loading. “Even though his action was not the best for industry, he did not show any sign of depression,” the source said. It explained that at the time the man fell into the sea about 2:22 p.m., the current was not that high, compared to earlier in the day, and that he was also not able to remove the safety ring before rescuers got to him. Commenting on the incident, Tullow acknowledged the fact that it did take place. It said in a statement that it occurred on the production platform last Tuesday afternoon. “Tullow Ghana Limited (TGL), operator of the Jubilee Field, is aware of a man overboard incident offshore on the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah at 14:25 hours on Tuesday, June 18, 2019,” it said. The individual involved, it said, was a sub-contractor and that full emergency response procedures were activated, leading to the rescue of the contractor at 14:33 hours. The man, the statement continued, initially received emergency treatment before being moved to the shore and was subsequently being managed by a medical team in Accra. “There was no injury following medical assessment and Tullow and MODEC Ghana Limited have contacted all relevant authorities,” it indicated. “The safety and the security of all our people offshore and onshore are of utmost priority to Tullow. The company continues to observe key safety measures,” the statement concluded. Since its commission, the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah has seen some few incidents on the platform. This is the second time a sub-contractor of the FPSO decided to act contrary to the safety protocols of an oil and gas production platform, which is considered to be a very dangerous environment. In October 2014, indigenous workers of MODEC Ghana Limited, the company that operates and manages the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah, embarked on a sit-down strike to press home their demand for better conditions of service. The action consequently disrupted oil production on the Jubilee Field. The protesters, numbering about 40, said they worked in the same environment as their expatriate colleagues who had far better working conditions. Graphic Online Tullow Oil Ghana December referendum not to decide whether on electing MMDCEs - Kwesi Jonah Prof Nwagbara disparaging comments - Watch the video of Nigerian Professor Augustine... University of Ghana disassociates itself from Nigerian... BIOGRAPHY: Who is Acting IGP James Oppong-Boanuh WATCH Countryman Songo ordained as a pastor Enfield, London - Mother and three children under 12 are... Stop importation of products with local manufacturing capacity... The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has called on government to consider... Run Clean Campaigns Devoid Of Name-Calling - says Savannah... The Savannah Regional Organiser of NDC Mr Inusah Abdulai has urged NDC parliamentary... Ugandan forward George Abege arrives in Ghana after completing... Asante Kotoko’s Ugandan forward George Abege has arrived in Kumasi to join his new... Pernell Whitaker the boxer who dealt Azumah Nelson title... Pernell Whitaker, famously known in Ghana as the boxer who dealt Azumah Nelson's... Freddie Blay Fights CHRAJ In Court Over 'Vote For Bus'... In his affidavit in court seen by this portal, the NPP National Chairman maintained... Prez Akufo-Addo Made Me Cry with his controversial comments... Former Gender Minister Nana Oye Lithur has criticised President Akufo-Addo over... NACOB worried about consumption of 'wee shito' by SHS students The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has revealed a worrying trend that more students... A/R: GTA Shut Down Hostels, Hotels, Restaurants, Eateries,... Three surveillance teams deployed by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) have shut... Western North Region: Stop Supporting Regional Minister,... Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Western North Region have... Corporal George Amoah Francis Opoku Sarfo Association of Oil Marketing Companies Majeed Waris James Oppong-Boanuh Black Stars defender Central region.Awutu Senya GETFund "Involve More Women In Peacekeeping Operations" I was never beaten, tortured – ModernGhana reporter contradicts... China to provide scanners for 5 airports in Ghana	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24621
__label__wiki	0.863132	0.863132	Head of School Blog About The Gunnery’s Head of School HYPERthetically…Seeking wisdom in the age of too much information October 26, 2017 October 26, 2017 GunneryHeadofSchool_Blog 1 Comment This week, I am pleased to share with you Melissa Schomers’ remarks on information, knowledge and wisdom, which were presented at The Gunnery on October 3, 2017. Ms. Schomers is a faculty member in the English Department and the Wallace Rowe Chair. Although her thoughts were initially intended for our students and faculty, I believe many adults who have too much “information at their fingertips” will find her words meaningful and relevant. The Benefits of Intentional Time Convocation 2019 “Bring the Wood” A License to Use Cell Phones Navigating Our Relationship To Risk Alfie Kohn Alumni Angela Duckworth Artificial Intelligence Barry Posner Boarding School Brains C.S. Lewis Carol Dweck Character Charles Blow College Computer Programming Computers Confidence Convocation Courage Dave Eggers David Brooks David Carr Faculty Frederick Gunn Fredrick Gunn Gen. Stanley McCrystal Graduation Habits high school Holiday Concert identity Independent School Innovation Internships Invocation James Hunter James Kouzes Jill Lepore John Maynard Keynes Jonathan Franzen KIPP Leadership Liberal Arts Liberal Education Library Maker Space Mr. Gunn National Poetry Month Naval Admiral William H. McRaven Neil Postman New York Times NPR Paul Tough Podcast Prefects Ray Kurzweil Rebecca Chopp RObotics Sherry Terkle Socrates STEAM STEM Student Leaders Students Teachers Teaching Technology The Atlantic the gunnery The Lean Startup The Road to Character The Washington Post Univ. of Virginia University Washington Post Wendell Berry Wisdom About Peter Becker Peter Becker became The Gunnery’s 11th head of school in 2012. A native of New Orleans and Manhattan, Peter attended The Taft School (Watertown, Connecticut) and then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in religious studies from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in history from Yale University. Peter came to The Gunnery from The Lawrenceville School, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where he served as a master of history and interdisciplinary studies, housemaster, department chair, and coach. He led the redesign of the Interdisciplinary Program’s curriculum, seeking different ways to instruct, encourage and inspire students to learn and communicate. Peter was also the director of the Humanities Program, coached squash and tennis and held Lawrenceville’s Shutt Faculty chair for four years. Prior to his eight year tenure at The Lawrenceville School, he had a career as an investment banking and venture capital analyst. Peter is a board member of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, the Parents League of New York, and Washington Montessori School. He is also a member of The Headmasters Association and the Executive Committee for the North American Boarding School Initiative started by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), a committee of national school leaders charged with developing the association’s advocacy for the enduring value of boarding school education. Peter is actively engaged in the study and development of character education and has presented frequently on its importance in the moral formation of students, their long-term success and engagement in civic life. Peter and his wife, Amy Julia, an accomplished author and speaker, are the proud parents of three children, Penny, William, and Marilee. The Gunnery on Social Media View 48088786005’s profile on Facebook View TheGunnery1850’s profile on Twitter View thegunnery’s profile on Instagram View UCcO3E_S2YsxTBTjvKE0ldtg’s profile on YouTube View thegunnery’s profile on Vimeo www.gunnery.org 22 Kirby Road Washington, CT 06793	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24624
__label__cc	0.726843	0.273157	Home Gwinnett County Schools Archer Cluster Infographic: GCPS Fast Facts and Honors Infographic: GCPS Fast Facts and Honors Financially Sound FY2019 Budget: $2.193 billion On average, the cost of educating one child in Gwinnett is $9,463 per year. The direct costs of instruction account for 70.8% of that amount. Putting it in perspective, of the state’s 10 largest school systems, GCPS had the 2nd lowest per-pupil expenditure in FY2017 ($1,003 per student below the state-wide average), yet GCPS’ average SAT score was 4th highest among the 10 systems and 34 points above the state average, with 55% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. GCPS has received the highest possible bond rating (AAA) from the nation’s two leading rating agencies, evidence of the district’s stellar financial stewardship. Gwinnett remains one of only two large systems in the nation with a AAA rating. Gwinnett is the only school system in Georgia and in the Southeast recognized with this fiscal stamp of approval. GCPS is the largest employer in Gwinnett County, employing more than 24,000 staff members, including full- and part-time positions and the pool of substitutes. GCPS takes pride in its veteran professional educators. In FY2019, our average teacher will hold a master’s degree or higher advanced degree and have 13 years of teaching experience. A Growing System 2018–19 Projected Enrollment: 180,320 The nation’s 12th largest district, GCPS is the largest school system in Georgia. 140 GCPS schools: 80 elementary schools (grades K–5) 29 middle schools (grades 6–8) 22 high schools (grades 9–12), including 19 cluster high schools, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Paul Duke STEM HS, Phoenix HS (open campus school, gr. 10–12) GIVE Center East (alternative school, gr. 6–12) GIVE Center West (alternative school, gr. 6–12) Gwinnett Online Campus (online school, gr. 4–12) International Transition Center (program at four high school sites— Berkmar, Discovery, Meadowcreek, and Norcross) Maxwell HS of Technology (career and technical education school, gr. 11 and 12) New Life Academy of Excellence (charter school, gr. K–8) North Metro Academy of Performing Arts (charter school, gr. K–5) Northbrook Center (special education programs), including ADAPT/STRIVE and The BRIDGE Oakland Meadow School (special education school) Preparing Students for the Future The vast majority of 2018 graduates (84%) planned postsecondary studies. Seniors were offered a record-breaking $207 million in scholarships, not including HOPE scholarships, or full-ride scholarships. The Class of 2018 includes: 9 Gates Scholars, 22 QuestBridge scholarship recipients, 24 National Merit Scholars, a U.S. Presidential Scholar, 2 Cooke Scholars, 6 Posse Scholars, and 20 military academy appointees. Previous articleCongratulations GCPS Teachers of the Year! Next articleBuford City Schools Teacher of the Year. Congrats Bobby Dubay!	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24625
__label__cc	0.737238	0.262762	herbeautifulmonster A young writer just getting started ... Through shameless self-promotion All posts tagged Appearance On making things better … or worse. Published October 6, 2016 by mandileighbean About three weeks ago, I went on a date with some guy I met online. We met on the boardwalk, which I liked. He looked only a little bit like his picture, but I’m sure the same could be said for me – I’ve definitely gained weight since the pictures I posted were taken. None of the mattered, really, because he was INCREDIBLY smart – knew more than a little bit about nearly everything. The conversation was great – enthralling, interesting. We talked for four hours, until the restaurants closed. At one point, he was explaining the scientific reasoning behind why men tend to react with violence while women are more emotional and tend to react with malicious manipulation. He posed a hypothetical question, asking me what I would do if a woman I hated, like really hated, keyed my car. I told him I’d go to the police, and he had to alter the scenario and tell me that wasn’t an option. I think he wanted to prove that eventually I would become violent (although in retrospect, I don’t see how that helps his argument at all, so maybe I misunderstood because he was SO much smarter than me). That inspired the short story below. But some more about the date: he said “you see” a lot and removed his glasses to pinch and massage the bridge of his nose and pushed air through his nose awkwardly, almost like snorting but not exactly. In hindsight, it seems pretentious and textbook intellectual, but in the moment, it wasn’t so bad. There were even a few moments where I nearly convinced myself he was handsome, sitting on a bench overlooking the beach, calmly explaining the cosmos to the young woman beside him as a chilly wind whipped the finer strands of hair about his face. But I think it was just the moonlight and me endeavoring to force a fairy tale where there wasn’t one. I haven’t heard from him. WEEKLY WRITING PROMPT #30: “Let’s just agree that we both hate her, okay?” “Let’s just agree that we both hate her, okay?” Ashley pleaded. She was sitting in her Chrysler Sebring convertible with her best friend. The engine was running to keep the heat going; it was unseasonably cold, and tiny tremors assaulted Ashley’s body. The cloth top did little to keep the icy wind from seeping in and making the interior cold and uncomfortable. She watched her breath escape her lips in tiny, white puffs, disappearing as soon as they appeared. Despite the heat blasting from the vents, Ashley was shivering. For a moment, but only a moment, Ashley wondered how her best friend was faring, if she was as cold. But Ashley’s concern was fleeting. She wasn’t looking at Danielle, but stayed focus on the lone break in the curbing that served as both the entrance and exit of the parking lot. Neon lights and halogen bulbs lit up the night sky around them, and Ashley used the glare of the harsh and unflattering lights to peer into windshields and survey the colors of incoming cars. Oncoming headlights would blind her momentarily, but she would shut her eyes tight against them for a just a few seconds, all she could spare, and then she’d stare hard and long to make out the figures in the cars, to determine the exact shade of the paint of the exteriors of the cars. Ashley’s eyes shifted restlessly from side to side, scanning and searching for one driver in particular, one woman that was scheduled to meet a man in the diver bar that owned the parking lot. The man in question happened to be the love of Ashley’s life (at the very least, Ashley had convinced herself that was the case), and the woman in question was the current topic of conversation. “I’m not going to do that,” Danielle refused. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared through the windshield. She forced her breath out of her lungs in short bursts, emphasizing her displeasure. Not unlike Ashley, Danielle wasn’t so eager to make eye contact. Everything had gone too far, much too far, and Danielle was having trouble comprehending that the woman gripping the steering wheel in tight, pulsating waves was the same woman she’d known for years and years, and had claimed as her best friend. Ashley was unrecognizable to Danielle. Sure, she looked the same, but the jealousy and ager that consumed Ashley and simmered somewhere just beneath the surface of her skin had caused her to mutate into something ugly, something horrible. “Then why are you even here?” Ashley asked. She finally turned to face Danielle. Her tone was sharp so that the question was more of a piercing challenge. In her juvenile rage, Ashley wanted Danielle to leave so that Ashley could feel abandoned and awful, and thereby rationalize her unnerving desire to cause destruction and excuse her cowardly and dastardly behavior. “To talk sense, Ashley; I need to convince you that this is really dumb, not to mention illegal. We need to leave before you do something stupid.” There was a beat of silence. It was the calm before the storm; after just a moment more, Ashley slammed her palms against the dashboard and growled. It was a subdued scream that turned animalistic and cold and hard. Danielle felt uneasy but turned toward Ashley, willing to make eye contact and survey if Ashley was even present in the conversation, if she was even listening. “Go to hell,” Ashley sneered. “You don’t know what this feels like, okay? Save your self-righteous bullshit for your students.” “If you weren’t acting like a child, I wouldn’t have to treat you like one, or talk to you like one,” Danielle retorted. “What is keying her car going to do, honestly?” Ashley thought for a moment. “It’ll make me feel better.” Danielle rolled her eyes. “Yeah, maybe, but then what? Will it make Russ suddenly realize he’s been a douche? How will it prove you were the right choice?” Silence settled upon the pair. The truth was that Ashley couldn’t answer Danielle’s questions because Danielle was right. It was stupid, completely asinine, but for the moment, Ashley didn’t care. She wanted to feel satisfied and to feel justified – she wanted to feel better about the whole messed up situation between her and Russ and their feelings (or lack thereof). “Why can’t you just let me have this?” Ashley demanded of her best friend. Her voice cracked and allowed the tears to finally spring up. “What kind of friend would I be if I let you be a stupid, awful, petty bitch?” Danielle asked. She extended her arm to rub Ashley’s back as she sat behind the wheel and cried. “You’re better than all of this, and you deserve better than Russ.” Danielle spoke in softened tone, doing her best to soothe Ashley and her broken heart. “Let’s get out of here, okay? We’ll get milkshakes and fries and talk shit.” Danielle laughed to show Ashley that she honestly believed there was a light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. Danielle needed Ashley to know that eventually, things did get better. “Fine,” Ashley growled. She wanted to hold onto her anger because she wanted to be in control of something. She couldn’t change how Russ felt and she couldn’t deny Danielle’s logic, but she could decide how she felt, dammit, and she was going to be angry, downright furious. Without giving it much thought, Ashley abruptly changed gears and had every intention of peeling out of the parking lot and leaving the whole aborted revenge plot behind her – in more ways than one – and Ashley would have done just that. Unfortunately, a young, beautiful woman with bouncy hair, tits that were a cause of envy, and a smile that belonged in toothpaste commercials, came walking up between Ashley’s car and the car beside it. The young, beautiful woman was not paying attention to anything other than her phone, busily composing a text message to let a popular man named Russ that she was walking into the bar, and that she had just parked. Her green Hyundai had pulled in just as Ashley had started crying, and were it not for the tears in her contemptuous eyes, Ashley might have seen the vehicle, recognized it, and done something else, anything else. As fate would have it, neither Ashley nor Danielle saw the young, beautiful woman’s car enter the parking lot, and so neither woman knew she was even there, where she was supposed to be, where they had anticipated and expected her to be. The young, beautiful woman walking between Ashley’s car and another was busy envisioning the entrance she would make and entertaining the endless romantic possibilities her rendezvous offered. She didn’t see Ashley’s car turning and accelerating fast enough to make the tires squeal, so hell bent was Ashley on making an exit the same way the young, beautiful woman was intent on making an entrance that would impress the entire bar. The young, beautiful woman never saw the impact coming. The left headlight rammed against the young, beautiful woman’s shin, hard enough to break it and hard enough to knock her to the ground. The collision happened just outside of Danielle’s window, just outside of the front passenger door. She thought she saw bouncy hair pass by her field of vision on its way to the pavement, but she couldn’t be sure. It was dark and her attention was elsewhere. But Danielle and Ashley heard flesh and bone smash sickeningly against metal and plastic and rubber. They knew they’d hit something, but the enormity of the tragedy had not landed home yet. The front tires ran up and over the young woman’s body before Ashley could slam on the brakes and screech to a halt. “What the hell was that?” Ashley asked. Danielle had a sinking, awful, terrible suspicion, but how could she say it aloud? How could she tell Ashley that in trying to avoid a misdemeanor, they had committed a felony? How could she explain that in trying to do the right thing, they had made everything worse, much worse? Pale and trembling, Danielle could only state the obvious. “You hit something,” she said. “Yeah, but what?” Ashley asked. Danielle shrugged, was too shocked and too stupid to articulate anything meaningful or useful. Ashley threw the car in reverse, unknowingly rolling her tires over the young, beautiful woman a second time. The car jostled its occupants from side to side as it traversed speedily over the body. Ashley thought returning to the parking spot and surveying the scene from that vantage point was the best way to assess the damage and understand what had happened. It wasn’t until the sickening thud of the tires rolling over something soft and alive reached her ears a second time that Ashley understood that it was bad and wrong, all bad and all wrong. She put the car in park and battling nausea, Ashley threw her door open and climbed out of the car and onto legs that were wobbly and weak, and didn’t quite support her weight. Hobbling as if she were the victim instead of the perpetrator, Ashley stumbled to the front of the car, using the vehicle to support her weight. She crossed the front of the vehicle, placing palm over palm as she desperately tried to steady herself and walk, and when the body came into view, she promptly vomited. Posted in: Drama, Thriller, Writing Tagged: Accidents, Appearance, Aspiring Author, Aspiring Writer, Author, Authors, Automobile, Avid Authors, Avid Reader, Avid Readers, Avid Writer, Avid Writers, Beach, bench, Best Friends, Blog, Blogs, Boardwalk, Car, Car Accidents, Cars, Challenges, Conversation, Creative Writer, Creative Writers, Creative Writing, Creative Writing Prompts, Creativity, Dating, Death, Debut Novel, Decisions, Disappointed, Driving, Dying, Emotions, Fairy Tale, Feelings, first date, Fresh Boiled Peanuts, Friends, Friendship, Garden State, gender differences, glasses, Heartbreak, Her Beautiful Monster, Hit by car, Ideas, Imaginative Writer, Imaginative Writers, Imaginative Writing, Inspiration, Intellectual, intelligent, Jealous, Jealousy, Jersey Girl, Jersey Shore, keying a car, Life, Loneliness, Love, Mandi Bean, manipulation, Martin Sisters Publishing, Men, Moody Blue, moonlight, New Jersey, New Novel, Novel, Novelist, Novels, online dating, Parking Lot, Parking Lots, Pedestrian, Pedestrians, Perpetrator, pretentious, Read, Reader, Readers, Reading, Relationships, Second Novel, smart, vandalism, Victim, Violence, Windy, Women, Write, Writer, Writer's Book of Matches, Writers, Writing, Writing Prompt, Writing Prompts On fountains. Published July 7, 2016 by mandileighbean It’s sweltering in my house. I was dripping sweat earlier. I went outside earlier, to try and benefit from the meager breeze coming from the bay, and my outdoor furniture was wet from a storm that had passed by earlier but I didn’t even care. That’s how hot it is. I’m not telling you this for sympathy. I think I’m building character. My life is quiet and small and plain. Again, I’m not telling you this for sympathy or vague reassurance that my life is not the way I perceive it (that just makes someone feel crazy, doesn’t it?). I’m telling you this to illuminate my character, because this realization makes me restless. I always feel like I’m wasting my time and my youth, that I should be doing more, more, more. So I’m taking baby steps to do just that. On Wednesday, I went to Princeton with one of my best friends. We strolled the campus like we belonged there, despite me being clad in clothes purchased from Old Navy and not J. Crew or Ann Taylor or anywhere else equally as impressive and expensive. Not only that, but an intrusive coffee stain that was too large to be ignored assaulted the lower-half of my shirt in a way that simply screamed I didn’t belong, that I was totally and completely faking it. But I didn’t let my general sloppiness ruin the trip – I’m not that dramatic. I dragged my patient and impossibly too kind friend to the university to peruse the F. Scott Fitzgerald archives. I anticipated manuscripts and pictures kept under class in a far and quiet corner of the library. I assumed the public had free and easy access to the most personal belongings of a literary genius, but I was so wrong. We had to register, received photo identification cards to enter a restricted part of the library, wash our hands, lock away our belongings, and specifically select which aspects of Fitzgerald’s life we wanted to access. We did this without complaint (which is saying something considering the heat of the day was blistering and my dear, dear friend never intended to spend 150 minutes looking at the personal affects of some dead author), and were shown into a reading room. There, I made plans to visit Great Neck, Long Island for a long weekend (the setting that inspired The Great Gatsby) and to travel to Hackensack, New Jersey (specifically to see the Newman School, which Fitzgerald attended). My friend and I both flipped through a sort of combined scrapbook of Scott and Zelda, compiled by Matthew J. Bruccoli (the only Fitzgerald biographer that matters) and Scottie, Scott and Zelda’s daughter. Scott’s drama teacher wrote, “Good God, save the soul of the man with the spark!” in reference to Fitzgerald. What a tragedy; what a shame. We were presented with a facsimile of the manuscript of The Great Gatsby, complete with edits and revisions in Fitzgerald’s own handwriting, not to mention the entire manuscript was handwritten. I nearly cried. We read letters from Zelda to Scott, which chronicled the beginnings of their relationship, as well as the more tumultuous aspects of the courtship and marriage. I compiled a list of Zelda’s best quotes. … it’s so easy, and believing is much more intelligent And still I’m so mighty happy — It’s just sort of a “thankful” feeling — that I’m alive and that people are glad I am There’s nothing to say — you know everything about me, and that’s mostly what I think about. I seem always curiously interested in myself, and it’s so much fun to stand off and look at me … … something always makes things the way they ought to be … I love you sad tenderness — when I’ve hurt you — That’s one of the reasons I could never be sorry for our quarrels — and they bothered you so — Those dear, dear little fusses, when I always tried so hard to make you kiss and forget … It seems as if there’s no new wisdom — and surely people haven’t stopped thinking — I guess morality has relinquished its claim on the intellect — and the thinkers think dollars and wars and politics — I don’t know whether it’s evolution or degeneration To be afraid, a person has either to be a coward or very great and big … free to sit in the sun and choose the things I like about people and not have to take the whole person It is odd that the heart is one of the organs that does repair itself I loved the eccentric, charming and dangerous and alarming details I learned about their love, like how Zelda consulted a Ouija board, and how she blamed Scott for her mental illness but firmly believed he could cure her. We read Scott’s letters with a painstaking clarity, as we knew of the end he didn’t see coming. It was heartbreaking, really. I decided the goal is to write the last chapter of my next book in the Nassau Inn, to truly channel the passion and vibrancy and tragedy of F. Scott Fitzgerald. I found some places I’d like to visit in France, places Fitzgerald went to and found some kind of inspiration, whether for writing or living large. We wandered around campus for a while longer, sneaking into classrooms, disrupting tour groups, and feeling – even if for just a little while – that grand things were still possible for us. We ventured into the cathedral on campus and a Starbucks and a book store to beat the heat. We traveled to Asbury Park for some live music and great company. It was a great day, the kind summers are made of. I intend to have more like them. I was inspired to write the following short story. Enjoy! by Mandi Bean Carlos knew that the equator separated the globe into northern and southern hemispheres, and Carlos also knew that the farther south a person traveled, the hotter the weather became. However, Carlos could testify to the fact, and possibly even prove, that the farther west a person traveled, the same phenomenon occurred. He had lived on the eastern shore of New Jersey his entire life and could say without hesitation, could say with near absolute certainty, that the middle of the state was a burning, boiling wasteland in July – the most uncomfortable Summer month to begin with – and that it served no real purpose. Carlos had traveled west at the request of his fashionable, trendy girlfriend and now regretted it something fierce. They were traipsing about the campus of Princeton University so that his girlfriend could admire the rich history and breathtaking architecture and blah, blah, blah. It was ninety-three degrees and Carlos was miserable. He felt damp and disgusting in places he didn’t even know could sweat. Still, he took it all in stride, trying to keep his girlfriend happy and blissfully unaware of his discomfort. He said nothing as they walked innumerable staircases to gawk at old buildings and open fields that meant something to someone somewhere, sure, but that person was not Carlos. His mood dangled precariously between “thoughtfully quiet” and “crankily homicidal,” and he offered his girlfriend only interested smiles as she prattled on and on about tradition and excellence and whatever. Carlos only perked up as they neared the center of the sprawling campus. There was a pool, six inches deep at the most, with a fountain at its center, an impressive, enigmatic modern sort of structure spouting water. Carlos took his girlfriend’s hand and rushed towards it, the way someone might rush towards a miraculous pool while stranded in a desert. But this pool and fountain was no mirage; children splashed here and there, supervised by patient adults who smiled and nodded with a calculated, weary sort of encouragement. Carlos reached the pool’s edge, where wide, flat stone steps led down to the water. He was smiling wide, with a youthful exuberance, and he turned to his girlfriend. “I’m going in,” he stated and sat down to remove his shoes and socks. His girlfriend offered a sweet smile, totally enchanted by Carlos’ juvenile need to cool and comfortable, by his childish ambitions. He was a beautiful young man with dark features that made him appear to be super intellectual, but in reality, he was nothing of the sort. But his girlfriend, equally as beautiful, was not disturbed by Carlos’ lack of desire for education and all things brainy. It kept her in check, kept a balance in the relationship. “Go right ahead,” she smiled. “I’ll wait here.” Carlos paused and looked up at her. “You’re not coming in? This heat is brutal.” She shook her head and seated herself beside Carlos. “It’s hot, but I’m okay. You go in, though. I can’t tell you’re dying to.” She leaned against him for a moment to kiss his cheek. That was all the permission Carlos needed, and he took off, splashing with reckless abandon to reach the fountain at the center. That spewing, falling water was the most efficient way to get cool. He passed the laughing, shrieking children and paused at the base of the fountain. The water fell on him in the most refreshing way and he was content to simply exist, it simply be in a world where water was free to fall where it may. What a time to be alive, what with fountains and pools to keep the intense summer heat at bay. He closed his eyes and attempted to wash away the sweat and sourness of the July sun. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and leveled his gaze. He was surprised to find another adult, another wanderer about campus, engaging in the same activity. She was gorgeous, and Carlos also noted the way the woman had been equally as daring, had strode in the same way Carlos had, not caring for the onlookers or any kind of judgments. There was only the oppressive heat, and the refreshing relief of the water, roaring down from the fountain and tinkling as it reached the pool surface. They both appreciated the opportunity, had seized it, and now stood breathless, together in their choices and ideology, but separate in their strangeness to the other. Carlos breathed a simple “hey.” The woman nodded, and kicked water up at Carlos. That was her greeting; that was it. Aside from the playful smile, she had offered nothing, not even her name. But Carlos was game. He returned the splash. In a matter of moments, Carlos and the woman were doing their best to drown each other. Their raucous laughter and innocent challenges drowned out that of the children and even the most dutiful of supervising parent stole a glance at the two grown adults making complete asses of themselves in the fountain on the campus of Princeton University. But, as do all things in life, the splashing lost its appeal and became old and tired. Carlos looked back to his girlfriend and found her reading (there was always a book in her over sized bag). He waved goodbye to the gorgeous, wild and free woman he had spent the last ten minutes with. Without really thinking about it, Carlos returned to the studious, safe and responsible woman waiting for him out of the water. He supposed that was the way it was supposed to be, that for every soul willing to get lost at sea, there had to be another anxiously waiting on shore. As he came nearer, dripping wet and breathless and smiling, Carlos’ girlfriend looked up and barked a laugh. “Am I glad you drove,” she teased, “because you would never ever get into my car like that.” Carlos bent to swiftly kiss her before she could protest or squirm away. Posted in: Memoir, Writing Tagged: Adulthood, Appearance, Architecture, Asbury Park, Asbury Park Music Foundation, Aspirations, Aspiring Author, Aspiring Authors, Aspiring Writer, Aspiring Writers, Author, Authors, Avid Authors, Avid Reader, Avid Readers, Avid Writer, Avid Writers, Barnegat Bay, Beautiful, Blog, Blogs, Books, Bravery, Breeze, Challenges, Character, Choices, Coffee Stains, College, Cool, Creative Writer, Creative Writers, Creative Writing, Creativity, Debut Novel, Decisions, Desire, Dreams, Education, English Teacher, Escape, Expectations, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Fountains, Fraud, Friends, Friendship, Garden State, Goals, Heat, Her Beautiful Monster, Heroes, Ideas, Idol, Imaginative Writer, Imaginative Writers, Imaginative Writing, Impostor, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Ivy League, Jersey Girl, Jersey Shore, Journey, Keep Trying, Life, Lightning, Literature, Live Music, Living, Love, Love Letters, Mandi Bean, Manuscripts, Martin Sisters Publishing, Men, Mental Health, MOGO, Moody Blue, Music, New Jersey, New Novel, Novel, Novelist, Novels, Old Navy, opportunity, Optimism, Passion, Plans, Pools, Popular Culture, Prestige, Princeton University, Privilege, Quotes, Rain, Read, Reader, Readers, Reading, Relationships, Resolutions, Restlessness, Road Trip, School, Scrapbooks, Second Novel, Short Story, Summer, Summer Breeze, Summer Storm, Sweat, Sweating, Sweaty, Sympathy, The Great Gatsby, Thunder, Time, Travel, Trips, Vacation, Vacations, Walking, Water, Wealth, Weather, Women, Write, Writer, Writers, Writing, Writing Career, Youth, Zelda Fitzgerald On being random, dismantling and finally updating. Published June 27, 2016 by mandileighbean It’s been over two months since the last time I posted, and there’s nothing I want more than to tell you I’ve been doing wonderfully interesting things, that I’ve been really and truly living. But that would be a hyperbole. I’ve been alive, yes, and I’ve done some fun things, yes, but nothing that should keep me from writing. So let’s catch up, shall we? I haven’t lost any weight, but I have gained some. I haven’t really been trying, as I’ve felt mostly unmotivated and uninspired lately. Is this summertime sadness? Is this some looming emotional, existential crisis that has finally landed? Am I just melodramatic? Rather than answer these questions, I usually eat a bag of potato chips (the ones that say “Family Size”) and fall asleep on my couch. I think I’ve identified one behavior that needs to change. I wish I had a camera that could take quality pictures of the moon and do its beauty justice. “A heart that hurts is heart that works.” I don’t fantasize about sex. I fantasize about intimacy; how sad is that? I think a duck must have a perfect life. They just float on, no matter if the water is calm or choppy. They can take off and fly whenever they want. If the only dunk their heads in the water, they have food. It’s simple and free, and I am envious. I am done romanticizing broken men, as if loving them adds something noble to my character. “I don’t hold grudges. I believe that’s the shit that leads to cancer.” The school year ended on a high note. The senior events I was charged with helping to plan (Mr. Manchester, Senior Prom, graduation) all went off without a hitch. I am proud of the work I’ve done. “Nothing is ever over.” I really need to use my upstairs more. I don’t have central air though, so during the summer, the temperature is almost unbearable up there. So I’m in pretentiously self-proclaimed “office,” but it’s dark in here. It’s really dark in my house. I’ll say it’s to keep it cool, since I don’t have central air, but in all honesty, it’s because I’ve been too broke to afford light bulbs and now that I do have money, I’m simply too lazy to buy some and replaced the old ones. “I know what I want, and I don’t mind being alone.” It’s really dark in my house. I’ll say it’s to keep it cool, since I don’t have central air, but in all honesty, it’s because I’ve been too broke to afford light bulbs and now that I do have money, I’m simply too lazy to buy some and replaced the old ones. This is what a successful adult looks like, no? The literary agent who requested the first fifty pages rejected me, but my original publisher is still thinking about it. What’s that saying, when God closes a door, He opens a window? I’m feeling ambivalent to everything, mostly because I’m sunburned and it hurts so I’m cranky. I like collecting little, seemingly unimportant details of the people in my life to better craft my characters. When school was in session, I realized that the worst thing about leaving my house each weekday morning wasn’t having to bid adieu to my comfortable bed and its cozy covers, but that I miss the early sunlight streaming through the windows and lighting the wooden floors. It’s beautiful, and I was sad I could never just sit and admire it. But now I can. I think that’s how life is supposed to work. I do this thing sometimes where I just sit in my car. I might leave the engine running, or I might shut it off, but either way, I sit in the driver’s seat, scrolling through the social media garbage on my phone or playing Tetris. It’s wasting time, one of the most precious gifts, and I hate it. I don’t know why I do it. Is it exhaustion? Is it moodiness? I abhor how lazy I am. I had an idea for a scene for my third novel, but the details have faded. I remember it had something to do with a modest, upstairs library and someone watching on anxiously as someone else carefully surveyed the titles. I wanted to throw in visiting a favorite author’s grave, but there was definitely more to it, like dancing or something? I need to write things down more often … obviously. “Wanting it doesn’t make you the monster, taking it does.” Some days, I just waste the hours until I can go back to sleep. “You can fail at what you don’t want to do, so you might as well do what you love.” I’ve been in a miserable sort of funk, so I’m endeavoring to change my life. My friend thinks I need to be comfortable alone before I can be comfortable with someone. She recommended hiking, picnicking, wine on the beach, seeing movies, and getting coffee. I also think I should leave the state. I’ve been dying to go to Key West in Florida. This summer, I’ve decided to dismantle myself from the inside out, rebuilding to be more carefree, more creative, more in love with myself and less dependent on others. Some days, I have to talk myself into getting out of the shower, and even then, I change into pajamas. But I’m trying to be positive, I swear. I’ve begun keeping a running list of things that make me happy to be alive (in no particular order). fireworks on a summer night driving my Jeep without its roof and doors sunburn (as long as it turns tan) books (even the shitty ones because they’re non-examples for my career) food, glorious food! running and being sweaty after a run because it helps me to love my body the national pride fearlessly displayed by soccer fans “The effect you have on others is the greatest currency you’ll ever have.” I recently lost a banana for 24 hours. “I’m ripe with things to say. The words rot and fall away.” So, here’s an excerpt from the novel I’m working on. You should hit “play” on the video that follows now, so you can have a soundtrack. Ironically, the song playing is not the one I quote in the paragraph that follows. I wish I knew why I do the things that I do. “The thing about things is that they can start meaning things nobody actually said, and if he couldn’t make something mean something for me, I had to make up what it meant.” – Amanda Palmer Kelly dropped the box filled with odds and ends concerning the kitchen with an exaggerated, dramatic sigh of relief. The box landed on Charlotte’s tiny, cheaply and poorly made kitchen table, a piece of furniture she had salvaged from her grandmother’s home, a piece that had likely been in the home for forty years – a horrible blend of Formica and putrid pastels. For a moment, Charlotte had been hopeful the weight of the box would crush the table and put the ugly thing out of its misery, but she had no such luck. She watched Kelly similarly drop herself into a chair, sweaty and tired from a day spent moving, a day of manual labor. “I don’t want to do this anymore,” she whined. Charlotte offered a grin of commiseration. “I know, me neither.” She moved a few steps closer, resting against the back of a chair. “Then let’s call it quits and do something better.” “Like what? As you can tell, I haven’t got much of anything.” Kelly thought for a moment. “You got playing cards?” “I think so,” Charlotte said. She knew damn well that she did, but she was playing it cool for no other reason than it was a habit turned instinct. It was irrational – there was no way Kelly would give a shit about how those cards came to be in Charlotte’s possession, or how seeing those cards made Charlotte’s dumb heart skip a beat even now, even though she was nearly 1,000 miles away. Kelly’s face of thoughtful concentration broke into a youthful smile of excitement. “Well, shoot – I’ve got beer and some of them crisps. How’s ’bout you and me play us a few rounds of cards?” “Sure,” Charlotte smiled. Kelly scurried back to her neighboring apartment to scrounge up some beer and some snacks, and Charlotte headed to her bedroom. At the foot of her bed, upon the creaky floor, sat a box labeled, “PERSONAL.” It had been the only box Charlotte had personally moved, had tucked discreetly in her car and carried hurriedly across the threshold of her new apartment, lest anyone should see and ask about the contents, most of which meant absolutely nothing to anyone except Charlotte (hence the label). It wasn’t filled with lingerie or vibrators or dirty pictures or anything like that. The contents only embarrassed Charlotte because of their innocence, because only a prude would cling to a random assortment of objects that reminded her of people who had long since removed themselves from her life, or had been removed for any number of offenses. The items in the box would mean nothing to a passerby and that embarrassed Charlotte, like there was something shameful and almost juvenile about being anything but obvious. She squatted somewhat uncomfortably to delicately open the box, lovingly unfold the flaps so that she had complete access to some of her memories, so that the majority of the contents were visible. Charlotte only needed to scan the contents for a few seconds before she found the deck of cards, quaintly contained in cardboard, beaten up from a few years of handling. A smile splayed itself unabashedly upon her lips as she reached into the box the same way a heart surgeon would reach into her patient’s chest cavity. With the same kind of epic patience, she removed the playing cards from the box and began walking back to the kitchen. The youthful, exuberant smile quickly became nostalgic and sad. The playing cards were white with silver, loopy hearts decorating their backs. The hearts were cute, sure, but there was nothing remarkable about their appearance. They were a treasured item for Charlotte only because of the way the cards came to be in her possession. A few years ago, Charlotte had fallen in love with a beautiful, brilliant, and broken man. As a result, she had developed a constant need to be around him, to be close to him, and so, she invited him everywhere. One night, she invited him back to her hotel room after a work conference. She and her colleagues had all been drinking for quite some time, right up until the lights came up for last call. The beautiful, broken man had joined them at the bar, at Charlotte’s request, of course. Charlotte had always envied the sort of effortless grace that surrounded him, the way he could suddenly appear anywhere at anytime and be welcomed and accepted. When he strolled into the bar without fanfare or pomp and circumstance, without having attended any of the conference because of a prior commitment, Charlotte was breathless with awe. It was like something of a horribly cheesy and romantic movie made for network television; he could have been walking in slow motion beneath a burning spotlight towards a strategically placed wind machine. The fact that he was walking towards Charlotte smiling was wonderful and she was so happy she could burst apart. She never ever wanted her time with him to end, and her colleagues and friends didn’t want to stop drinking, so a select few decided to buy some beer and return to Charlotte’s room. She turned to her beautiful, broken man and invited him. He played it cool – he was always so goddamn cool – and didn’t really answer one way of the other. Even when they were walking back to the hotel, just across the street, he wouldn’t accept or outright reject the invitation. When he climbed into his car, a lump formed in Charlotte’s throat. She would let him go and hide her disappointment, try and play it cool, so her parting words asked that if he did come, to bring playing cards. He waved somewhat dismissively and drove away. The copious amounts of alcohol she had consumed kept Charlotte’s mood from dipping too low and she scampered back to the hotel among friends, arm in arm, with high spirits. He sent her a text later saying he couldn’t find playing cards and was just going home. Charlotte sighed heavily and thought her best recourse was to just keep drinking. About twenty minutes later, there was a booming knock at the hotel room door. It sounded particularly authoritative and Charlotte was worried it was the cops. Were they being too loud? Her one friend raced to the bathroom to hide while the other pressed herself further into the bed, as if the mattress could swallow her whole and conceal her. They had left Charlotte to answer the door and so she did, despite feeling suddenly and incredibly nauseous. She opened it and saw no one. No one was there. She whipped her head to the right and gazed down an empty hallway. Looking to the left revealed her beautiful, broken man. He was leaning against the hallway wall like some leading man from Hollywood. His arm was bent at the elbow so he had one hand behind his head and rested his weight against the wall through the point of that bent elbow. His right leg was crossed behind the left one and the toes were pointed down at the plush carpet. In his other hand, he twirled a pack of playing cards. He was smiling, quite pleased with himself and the effect it all had on Charlotte. There was certainly something gorgeous about him, something more than his appearance. His demeanor drove her wild – she would never able to pull off such an entrance, but he had. And it had been for her. What more could a girl possibly ask for? But nothing had come of it. He was with some woman with a checkered past and too much makeup. Charlotte’s grandma was worsening, and so she had left it all, run away. But she kept the playing cards to remind herself that for one night, she had gotten exactly what she had wanted, that she had been perfectly happy. The cards symbolized possibility – if it happened once, couldn’t it happen again? Posted in: Memoir, Romance, Writing Tagged: Adulthood, Advice, Alabama, Alcohol, alive, Amanda and Jack Palmer, Amanda Palmer, Appearance, Art, Aspirations, Aspiring Author, Aspiring Authors, Aspiring Writer, Aspiring Writers, Author, Authors, Avid Authors, Avid Reader, Avid Readers, Avid Writer, Avid Writers, Bad Wine & Lemon Cake, Beer, Blog, Blogs, Books, Broke, broken men, Cancer, Car, Career, central air, Challenges, Choices, Cinema, clean sheets, Coffee, Colleagues, Creative Writer, Creative Writers, Creative Writing, Creativity, Decisions, Depression, Desire, Diet, Disappointment, Doubts, Drinking, ducks, electric bill, Employment, exaggeration, Excerpt, Excuses, Exercise, Expectations, Explosions, Failures, Faith, Fans, Fantasies, Fiction, Film, Fireworks, Florida, Food, freedom, Friends, Frustrations, Future, Garden State, Goals, Good Advice, Graduation, Gratitude, grudges, Health, Heartbreak, Her Beautiful Monster, High School, Hiking, Home, hot showers, hyperbole, Imaginative Writer, Imaginative Writers, Imaginative Writing, Insecurities, Inspiration, intimacy, iPhone, Jealous, Jealousy, Jeep, Jersey Girl, Jersey Shore, Job, Keep Trying, Key West, Lana Del Rey, laughing, laziness, Lazy, Life, light bulbs, Literary Agent, Living, Loneliness, Lonely, Love, Lyrics, Mandi Bean, Manuscript, Martin Sisters Publishing, mementos, Memories, Mental Health, Money, Moody Blue, Moon, morning light, Movies, Moving, Music, New Jersey, New Novel, Nostalgia, Novel, Novelist, Novels, Optimism, Passion, picnicking, Plans, playing cards, Popular Culture, potato chips, pride, Problems, prom, publishing, Quotes, Read, Reader, Readers, Reading, Regret, Rejection, Relationships, Romance, romanticizing, Running, Sad, Sadness, Second Novel, senior year, Sex, Sickness, soccer, Songs, Summer, Summertime Sadness, sunburn, Sweat, Tetris, The Jane Austen Argument, Uninspired, Unmotivated, Updates, upstairs, weight gain, Weight Loss, wine on the beach, Work, Worry, Write, Writer, Writer's Block, Writers, Writing, Writing Career On the persistence of the Universe Published April 3, 2016 by mandileighbean Some situations in life are unavoidably awkward. Indeed, some moments are socially awkward by definition. For women, I believe this includes any and all visits to beauty salons. Just the other day, I had an appointment for a manicure and pedicure and right off the bat, I was uncomfortable. There’s something inherently unsettling about the setup, about the implied hierarchy. Who am I to show up and demand some other woman (more often than not) try and make me beautiful or more appealing? I’m much too lazy and impatient to paint my own nails so I’m willing to pay someone else to do it, so I’m not passing any sort of judgement. I’m just saying it’s a little weird; feels a little medieval in our modern, wildly progressive world. No? Am I thinking too much about it? Anyway, I immediately apologized to the manicurist for my gnarly feet. While it is true that my feet resemble men’s feet from the prehistoric era (think “Flintstones”), I’m not actually sorry about it. I’m totally okay with my feet, but I apologized and made a joke about my physical appearance because it’s my comfort zone. Self-deprecating humor helps me to break the ice, chip away at some of the awkwardness of having a stranger rub your gross feet, and lets the other person know I’m not some high-maintenance chick; I’m a commoner, one of the people, I swear! I’m just too lazy to maintain a beauty regimen is all. For dealing with a self-righteous, pseudo-intellectual, the manicurist couldn’t have been nicer and she did a wonderful job. I love my nails and my toes; perfect shade, elegantly done. I have no complaints and will absolutely go back without hesitation (shout out to Lee Nails in Bayville). You would think such a positive experience would ease my social anxiety about going to beauty salons, but you would be wrong. My neuroses know no bounds, apparently. Upon getting my nails done, I called a hair salon I was familiar with (I’d only been there once, to be fair, and it was months ago) to schedule an appointment to retouch my highlights in an effort to transition to becoming a blonde (which is something else I’m stupidly struggling with, but I’ll save that for another hilarious, highly entertaining, self-indulgent post; I know those are your favorite). I was excited, eager for the appointment, but the receptionist on the other end couldn’t have cared less. Her responses were short and repetitive, like she was offended by making this appointment, as if it were a personal insult or something. I persevered though (because I’m a masochist?) and she asked which stylist I’d prefer. When I mentioned the woman who styled my hair the last time, when I asked if that person was available, the receptionist only tersely replied, “No.” I guess some uncomfortable, tense situation had gone down and everyone was still feeling a type of way about it, but how was I supposed to know? I felt guilty and quickly replied that it was fine, that anyone would do, but the receptionist kept telling me they had nothing opened, that they were straight booked … but offered me three different appointment slots. I picked an outrageously early time on Sunday and hung up. I had a bad feeling and based on my last blog post, I wondered if maybe it wasn’t some kind of sign from the universe, telling me to abort, to abandon ship. So when my mom kindly cut my hair later that day, I called another salon and made another appointment. From the get go, I felt much better about the whole thing. The woman unknowingly eased all of my social anxiety simply by being nice. She said she was excited I was coming in and offered me all sorts of time slots and asked questions about what I wanted done. Even if such personal interest was inauthentic and all in the name of consumerism, at least it was there. I mean, it worked and I made the appointment. When I showed up, I was a little uneasy. Obvious and aforementioned social anxieties aside, I always feel like a fraud walking into salons. I always think of that scene from “Pretty Woman” where prostitute Julia Roberts walks into that high-end clothing store and gets treated horribly. And to think she was beautiful! I’ve had bad acne lately, have gained weight and have just been really down on myself lately about my physical appearance (hence all the salon appointments) and I suddenly didn’t want to go. I forced myself inside though, and was immediately charmed. What ambiance! And the friendly receptionist from over the phone was behind the desk and just as friendly as ever. She offered me coffee and water, and the water I requested came in a trendy, fashionable mason jar with an adorable paper straw, decorated with illustrations of branches from dogwoods. I was charmed and felt better … until I had to sit and allowed myself to get trapped inside my own head. Though my appointment was at 11:30, I didn’t get into a chair until around noon, which I’m not even mad about. I understand that sometimes styling takes longer than anticipated, and I don’t understand complaining about having to be patient in salons when it’s all luxury, a luxury to have time and money to spend on something as superficial and fleeting as appearance. I’m not judging; here I am on a personal appearance improvement tour. I’m just saying I wasn’t annoyed and that would never be something to annoy me. I know that’s just me, so I’ll move on. What did annoy me was that when my stylist went to pull my hair back from my face, she poked me in the eye. She didn’t apologize, and we both acted like it didn’t happen even though my left eye was fluttering and watering. Both her and I kept right on talking like my one eye wasn’t shut and like I wasn’t in obvious discomfort. In her defense, she probably didn’t know she had done it. I could have said something, but I didn’t, and so I was still incredibly awkward and anxious, and now I was in pain (that’s dramatic, I know). Suddenly, the whole experience seemed like a punishment for my vanity, for my sudden focus on not only my appearance but on myself. I thought, this is where being selfish gets you, with a poke in the eye. All my earlier misgivings seemed to be confirmed and I was on the verge of misery. It didn’t help that my stylist resembled an antagonist from one of those “Hostel” movies, all decked out in a black apron with black latex gloves. I gulped; would she be coming for my eye again? But then I actually started talking to my stylist. Her name is Dana and she’s from Asbury Park. Not only is she a remarkably talented stylist, she is also full of sage advice. As we spoke, I began to consider the possibility that maybe her poking my eye was a symbolic gesture of how my mind’s eye needed to be poked. The conversation we had was one of the most eye-opening (are you sensing a theme yet?), self-affirming conversations I’ve ever had. We skipped over the small talk, the shallow pleasantries, and went right for the intellectual and philosophical concerns of life. She flat out asked me about my stance on the whole “nature versus nurture” debate. She believed it was nurture all the way, that humans are irrevocably shaped by experience and that explains everything. I agreed to a point, but also revealed that I believe it’s more nature that determines who we are as human beings. I offered up the example of my twin sister and me. Both came from the same nurturing environment and have arrived at completely different results. Dana countered, explaining that my twin sister had life experiences without me that shaped her and molded her differently, encouraging me to be empathetic, sympathetic and open-minded. I’ve refused to do so as of late when it comes to my sister. Rage is simple; it’s so much easier to be angry and infantile, but is it fair? Is it right? Why should the focus switch to me the second time around? Shouldn’t I still be concerned with Sammy’s well-being and recovery? Isn’t there a happy medium, some sort of balance between caring for my other half and myself? During this discussion, a charity for recovering addicts came into the salon, handing out flyers and asking for donations. Dana asked for a flyer and donated a dollar. I was touched. Rather than ignore and dismiss these men who intruded upon her place of business, she was encouraging and kind. She never dismissed anyone. She was so kind, a truly remarkable woman. And she was so humble, paying as many compliments as she received and then some. This woman restored my faith in humanity in the most unlikely of places. As our conversation continued (I was in the chair for like three hours; I have a lot of hair), I learned that she also has aspirations to be writer, that she has plans for a memoir and a children’s book. I told her all about my struggles and successes, and we discussed talent and how we both believe that if someone – anyone – is blessed with talent, that it becomes necessary to pay it forward, to use whatever blessings (specifically monetary) come from that gift to better the world. A lot of big ideas fell into place and connected with one another as she spoke so that I began to understand and believe that I was given this writing talent – or ability, depending on how you feel about my writing – for a reason, and that because I am not distracted by a love interest or a family, now is the time for me to hone my talent, to focus on becoming published and getting my work out there. What a positive outlook, to give my loneliness a purpose, a reason, a meaning. She confided with me she’d been with her boyfriend for seven years and while she’s in love and it’s all wonderful, it is still limiting. She can’t just do whatever whenever because she has someone else to consider, from the small sacrifices (like eating at Chipotle because she’s gluten free when they’d rather eat elsewhere) to the major ones (time, money, energy, etc.). I’m not a lonely loser unless I choose to be; this time alone is an opportunity to fulfill a destiny and should not be wasted wallowing in some self-created despair. Dana told me I was an amazing person, and told me she could figure that out after only an hour of conversation. At one point, she said, “You can’t control your heart, but you can – and you have to – control your mind.” She encouraged me to choose to be happy. What else can we do? Needless to say, it was the best experience I’ve ever had at a hair salon. Ever. My sincerest gratitude to Dana at Shear Glamour. Posted in: Humor, Memoir, Writing Tagged: Acceptance, Addiction, Advice, Alone, Anxieties, Anxiety, Anxious, Appearance, Appointments, Aspirations, Aspiring Author, Aspiring Authors, Aspiring Writer, Aspiring Writers, Author, Authors, Avid Authors, Avid Reader, Avid Readers, Avid Writer, Avid Writers, Awkward, Bayville, Beautiful, Beauty, Blog, Blogs, Blonde, Books, Challenges, Charity, Compassion, Conversation, Conversations, Creative Writer, Creative Writers, Creative Writing, Creativity, Debut Novel, Decisions, Disappointment, Disappointments, Discussion, Doubts, Dreams, Empathy, Excuses, Expectations, Faith, Femininity, Focus, Garden State, Gifts, Goals, God, Good Advice, Gratitude, Guilt, Hair, Hair Salon, Hair Stylist, Health, Her Beautiful Monster, Highlights, Humanity, Imaginative Writer, Imaginative Writers, Imaginative Writing, Insecurities, Inspiration, Irrationality, Jersey Girl, Jersey Shore, Julia Roberts, Keep Trying, Kind, Lee Nails, Lessons, Life, Love, Mandi Bean, Manicure, Martin Sisters Publishing, Mental Health, Money, Moody Blue, Nails, Nature versus Nurture, New Jersey, New Novel, Novel, Novelist, Novels, Opportunities, opportunity, Optimism, Passion, Paying it Forward, Pedicure, Philosophy, Plans, Pretty Woman, Problems, Questions, Read, Reader, Readers, Reading, Receptionists, Recovery, Relapse, Relationships, Rude, Second Novel, Selfishness, Shear Glamour, Signs from the Universe, Symbolism, Symbols, talent, Theme, Toms River, Twin, Twin Sister, Twins, Uncertainty, Understanding, Vanity, Weight Loss, Women, Worry, Write, Writer, Writers, Writing, Writing Career On the struggle with technology. Published March 5, 2016 by mandileighbean I absolutely loathe my dependence on technology. I know this may seem like quite the hypocritical statement as I am using my computer and the internet and social media to update my narcissistic, self-indulgent blog, but hear me out. I want to be a writer, so in this digital age of selfies and tweets and whatnot, I’m going to have to adapt and get on board or die (metaphorically speaking, of course). If people take to Google and social media for book recommendations, I have to be on Google and social media. It’s a concession I can live with to help build my writing career. It’s almost unavoidable. So let me rephrase my earlier statement: I absolutely loathe my dependence on technology in my personal life. My phone is nearly always in my hand. If I’m not texting (but hardly anyone ever messages me because I physically interact with those who matter most, which is certainly a good thing) or checking e-mail (does anything important ever really come via email?), then I’m using Safari to check Facebook (I deleted the app to make a statement, but I found a way to be on the social media site constantly anyway). I’m scrolling and scrolling and scrolling on Instagram and Twitter, looking for likes, re-tweets, mentions, whatever. When there’s nothing satisfying there, I play Bubble Mania, Candy Crush or Tetris. I’m always looking down, disengaged and only pretending to listen to the authentic life happening all around me because I’m obsessed with this piece of technology and all the artificiality that goes along with it. It’s my greatest weakness, and what I dislike about myself the most. In my opinion (so please only take it for whatever it may be worth), social media only reinforces the crippling need for outside validation that seems to plague the human race. I recently traveled to Philadelphia to see David Cook in concert with my sister, and I took pictures. That in itself would be harmless if the intention had been true, if I had honestly taken pictures to create memories. However, creating and saving and storing memories was only part of my motivation. I wanted to take those pictures so I could upload them to Instagram and Facebook so I could count the likes and comments so I could feel cool and hip and modern, so I could feel like I belonged at the metaphorical watering hole of this super progressive, hyper intellectual, digital age. How stupid. How vain. Why do I need everyone to know where I am and what I am doing at all times? Why do I think everyone wants to know where I am and what I am doing at all times? If I put everything out there all the time, there’s no mystery left. I’m essentially robbing people the opportunity of getting to know me because I’ve created this false persona using technology and social media which could easily satisfy anyone even remotely curious. I’ve created an alternate version of myself for the masses and have rendered myself lonelier than ever. What kind of masochistic nonsense is that? A wonderful colleague recently told me she’d read a few of my blog entries. She complimented me on my writing (yay!), but said I broke her heart (oh no!). She told me I was too hard on myself, and I know this to be true. Self-deprecation is usually the only humor I can handle, and I am constantly screaming at myself for all of the awkward, dumb, harmful, and lazy behaviors I engage in on a daily basis. Reaching for my phone and idling instead of reaching for a book to expand my mind fulfills all of those categories. It’s awkward to sit in a room – any room at anytime, anywhere – full of wonderfully interesting humans and ignore all of them to go on a phone. It’s dumb to not expand one’s mind and perception through reading, writing or conversation and instead retreat to multicolored candies that need crushing. It’s harmful because it perpetuates the idea that self-love is indulgent and ugly, and that worth is truly determined by society and the media and this new social media. We are all forced to become our own PR people and it’s weird and gross, and I dislike it more and more the more I think about it. It’s lazy because all I need is my thumb and a pair of glazed-over eyes. Now, I’m not saying I’ll go completely off the grid by any means. Family and friends and loved ones can be scattered from one end of the globe to the other, so it is important to stay connected. I love that my aunt in Pennsylvania likes the memes I share about weight loss, and I love that she likes the sexy pictures of Elvis I find and post from time to time. I love that my cousins in Alabama can be brought up to speed with my life by a few pictures here and there, and vice versa. My coworker is going to the Big Apple today to see “The Crucible” on Broadway, and I’m looking forward to pictures and her review. My cousin is currently overseas serving his country, so we need the social media to keep in touch, to share messages of love and support. These are harmless human connections that are beautiful and wonderful. But it’s all about moderation, right? It’s all about keeping our minds right and prioritizing. The best part about the David Cook concert was not the blurry pictures I posted on Instagram a few hours later. It was spending time with my sister. It was shouting out the word “bipartisan” when David was struggling to find it, him thanking me for doing so, and my sister rolling her eyes because I’m “such an English teacher.” What a beautiful moment to feel validated about my passion and career. I did all of that without my phone. When my former phone was destroyed last month and I was without a phone for a few days, I survived. The world did not end. I was okay. I did lose thousands of pictures, though. That was my own fault because I never backed them up using my computer. I assumed those treasured images would always be on that phone, because I tricked myself into believing technology is infallible and perfect and the answer to every question I ever had. That is simply not true, and I just feel that if I remind myself of that, I’ll regain faith in nature and people and all that surrounds me. I fell in love with a great friend, but he didn’t feel the same way, and the friendship has since changed and is beginning to fade. Some of the pictures I lost were of the absolute greatest day we ever spent together. This makes me sad for many valid reasons. However, I was inspired to write this post (but really, it’s become a rant, hasn’t it? My bad) because in mourning the loss of the digital images that I never printed (what a metaphor for the relationship, huh? I’ll save that for my next novel), I realized that I felt I needed the pictures because I didn’t trust myself, didn’t trust my own memories and feelings. Those pictures became a kind of talisman that helped me pretend the friendship wasn’t fading, that I was right about everything, so look, look everyone! Look how we’re smiling with our arms around each other! I’m not crazy! There was something there, and I can prove it! Why should I have to? I don’t have to, and that’s my point. I want to reduce my dependence on technology and social media in my personal life because I need to love myself and my life in reality. I don’t need the approval of others, and I don’t need to know everything about everyone because then what will our conversations be made of? What will I discover in intimate moments? When I’m at the dentist’s office, or waiting for friends at a bar, I’ll pull out my journal or a book, but never my phone. That’s a new resolution. That’s a promise to myself. I’ll post to promote my writing and my writing career, but not to start some drama or for attention or to start a pity party. That’s a new resolution. That’s a promise to myself. And now, I’ll post those pictures of me and my sister and David Cook, since I invited you in. Enjoy the weekend. xoxo This is my twin sister, Sam. Isn’t she beautiful? This is David Cook. He has an amazing voice, and his new album “Digital Vein” is out now. You may recognize him from “American Idol.” He was the winner of Season 10 … I think. We had an early dinner at Prohibition Taproom in Philadelphia, PA. It was delicious and our waitress was awesome. Posted in: Memoir, Popular Culture Tagged: Alabama, Appearance, Appearance versus Reality, Apple, Aspiring Author, Aspiring Authors, Aspiring Writer, Aspiring Writers, Author, Authors, Avid Reader, Avid Readers, Avid Writer, Avid Writers, Awkward, Bars, Blogs, Books, Bubble Mania, Candy Crush, Career, Challenges, Choices, Colleagues, Comments, Concert, Conversation, Creative Writer, Creative Writers, Creative Writing, David Cook, Debut Novel, Dependence, Digital Vein, Dinner, Doubts, Downloads, E-mail, Elvis Presley, English Teacher, Facebook, Faith, Family, Friends, Games, Goals, Google, Guilt, Health, Heartbreak, Her Beautiful Monster, Humanity, Images, Imaginative Writer, Imaginative Writers, Imaginative Writing, Insecurities, Inspiration, Instagram, Internet, iPhone, Isolated, Jersey Girl, Lazy, Life, Likes, Love, Loved Ones, Mandi Bean, Marketing, Martin Sisters Publishing, Media, Moody Blue, Music, Mystery, New Jersey, Novel, Novelist, Passion, Pennsylvania, Personal Relations, Philadelphia, Pictures, Popular Culture, Posting, PR, Prohibition Taproom, Promises, Read, Reader, Readers, Reading, Relationships, Resolutions, Retweets, Safari, Second Novel, Selfies, Sharing, Sister, Social Media, Society, Teacher, Teaching, Technology, Tetris, Text Messages, Text Messaging, Texting, Texts, Tour, Tweeting, Tweets, Twin, Twitter, Union Transfer, Uploads, Validation, Write, Writer, Writers, Writing, Writing Career On battling bullshit. Published December 31, 2015 by mandileighbean It’s the end of another year. We’re all preparing for the onslaught of “new year, new you” messages and postings, and I know the majority think such verbiage is cliched bullshit. I was such a believer until I sat down to draft this blog post. The endings and beginnings of life often prompt us to be introspective, and as a writer, I’m hopelessly narcissistic, so at this time of year, I do nothing but think about myself, talk about myself, and write about myself. I think we’re all allowed some selfish moments if they are to truly be reflective and endeavor us to be greater. There are lots of things I hate about myself. One of the more depressing aspects of society is that we all can do this, and that we all have done it, and that we all will most likely continue to do it, and that is list our failings. My favorite kind of humor is of the self-deprecating kind, and my favorite kind of gathering is a pity party. I’m not revealing these less than appealing parts of myself to elicit sympathy or to begin to construct a false kind of humility to make my self seem more creatively eccentric. Hand to God, I’m just trying to let you know that I get it, that I understand, and that I’ve been there too. There are days where I absolutely and unequivocally hate myself. But there are also days where I’m not so bad. There are days where I am downright awesome and a sheer pleasure to be around. In 2016, I am going to acknowledge more of those days. And in that same state of mind, I’d like to share my favorite thing about myself. What makes Mandi Bean worth anything is my childlike optimism. I could list all the disappointments of the past year, but I could also list all the times I’ve been pleasantly surprised, when I’ve fallen in love – yet again – with this spinning globe, with humanity, and with the endless opportunities for romance and adventure this crazy, miraculous life offers. As such, I am totally buying into the “new year, new me” bullshit. I will be a newer, happier, and healthier version of myself in 2016. Those who roll their eyes in derision and/or disbelief are free to do so; that’s their right. But as for me, with a smile and a deep breath and a pleasantly unfamiliar sense of determination, here is how I am going to make 2016 my banner year: I will, as mentioned previously, focus on the positives. Every day, I will find something to be grateful for and I will put it in writing, so I can’t lie to myself later. I aim to lose 60 pounds by December 31, 2016. I’m the maid of honor for my friend’s wedding, so there’s extrinsic motivation, but more importantly, I want to be beautiful. I want my outside to match my inside, and I’m pretty proud of what I’ve got going on in there. I am going to be a writer. I’ll update this blog faithfully, market my published work, work harder to get my second manuscript published, and seriously work on a third. Three promises to myself. I can do this. I will do this. I will forgive myself when I stumble along the way, and I will encourage others endeavoring to become the best version of themselves. Here’s to a happy, healthy New Year. Posted in: Memoir Tagged: Advice, Anxieties, Appearance, Aspirations, Aspiring Author, Aspiring Authors, Aspiring Writer, Aspiring Writers, Author, Authors, Avid Authors, Avid Reader, Avid Readers, Avid Writer, Avid Writers, Beautiful, Bravery, Challenges, Choices, Creative Writer, Creative Writers, Creative Writing, Debut Novel, Decisions, Desire, Disappointments, Doubts, Dreams, Excuses, Exercise, Expectations, Fear, Fitness, Future, Garden State, Gifts, Goals, Gratitude, Guilt, Happy, Heartaches, Heartbreak, Her Beautiful Monster, Hope, Humanity, Imaginative Writer, Imaginative Writers, Imaginative Writing, Insecurities, Inspiration, Jealousy, Jersey Girl, Jersey Shore, Journey, Keep Trying, Life, Living, Love, Luck, Maid of Honor, Mandi Bean, Manuscript, Marketing, Martin Sisters Publishing, Moody Blue, Motivation, New Jersey, New Year 2016, Novel, Novelist, Novels, Opportunities, opportunity, Optimism, publishing, Read, Reader, Readers, Reading, Regret, Relationships, Resolutions, Robert Downey Jr., Romance, Running, Second Novel, Success, Thoughts, Time, Vows, Walking, Wedding, Weight Loss, Worry, Write, Writer, Writers, Writing, Writing Career, Year, Youth On changing. “If you really wanted to mess me up, you should have gotten to me sooner.” “She doesn’t even take it out on people when she’s having a bad day; that’s character.” I have an appointment on Friday to have my hair cut and colored. It’s going to be a dramatic change, but I feel like that is what the summer is for. I also plan on getting my first – maybe my only – tattoo before returning to school. My friend Christine and I traveled to used bookstores in Manasquan and Belmar. The one in Belmar featured a truly amazing woman working the register. Christine mentioned that I was a writer and the woman asked some follow-up questions. She told me about Belmar’s BookCon and asked me to e-mail her. It’d be one hell of an opportunity to network and market myself. The only issue is that she wants current releases, but my first novel came out three years ago, and my second has yet to find a home. I sent her an e-mail anyway, because if I’ve learned anything it’s that you always have to try. She said she’d let me know and I want to be optimistic, but I also want to have realistic expectations – boy, that would be a first. I spent the holiday weekend with family in Pennsylvania. It was incredibly relaxing to disconnect from reality. The first day, Dad and I went into the tiny, one stoplight town for some bags of ice. We ended up purchasing delicious soft serve ice cream. We sat together and the back of the flatbed, watching some locals play softball. The weather was gorgeous and it was a perfect snapshot of small town life. Dad said he’d only ever ate ice cream in the bed of a truck with one other girl and it wasn’t even Mom. It was quite the moment until Dad made me feel like we were dating. The parade was rained out, but I was still able to see fireworks between the trees and above the mountains surrounding my aunt’s farm. I couldn’t remember the last time I sat and watched fireworks. I loved hearing the soft, faded pops in the distance. Weekly Writing Prompt #24: “An army private learns that he has to go back for a second tour.” Cory had parked his battered pickup truck in an utterly deserted parking lot along the shore. He was surprised by how empty it was. It wasn’t too late, barely even dusk. The sky was a wonderful shade of orange and everyone was missing it. Cory had made a resolution to not miss anything upon returning home two years ago from a year’s deployment in Iraq. He’d walked off his job at a store selling auto parts in a dying town. He’d driven across the country with his best friend, sleeping on rooftops and somehow living those cliched adventures Hollywood constantly chronicles, and returned home smiling. He’d visited with family members he hadn’t seen in years and years, but had been kind and thoughtful enough to keep in touch while he served overseas. It had been a pleasant 730 days back on American soil, but Cory was restless. He was plagued with a persistent urge to move, to never be settled. Cory knew he could rest when he was dead, and so he would, but only then. And that was why Cory had been relieved when he learned that he was going to Afghanistan for a second tour. He sat in his truck with the windows rolled down, listening to the waves crash against the shore. It was a soothing sound and it was constant. Cory reasoned it might be soothing because it was constant; very few things in life were that way. He was reflecting upon his reaction, trying to rationalize it, understand it as an outsider might try to understand it, as someone who had never served and could never possibly understand might try. Cory drained the can of cheap beer he’d been drinking. All this thinking, this extraneous use of one of the most important organs in his body, required hydration. He needed to stay hydrated because he needed to keep thinking, needed to figure out a way to explain this to her mother without her falling to the kitchen floor in convulsing sobs. Suddenly frustrated, Cory chucked the can out of the open window, then slammed his palms against the steering wheel, flattening them. He exhaled deeply. Cory supposed he was fortunate there was only one woman in his life he had to consider, had to disappoint and devastate. He was too young to be married, too young for a lot of things, but not too young to die apparently. Cory didn’t believe that, but he was anticipating his mother’s arguments. His dad might have understood, could have possibly been an ally, but he had left some time ago, had walked out a long time ago. It wasn’t something Cory thought about much, so he was surprised he was thinking of that now. His mood shifted from frustrated to simply exhausted. Cory ran his cracked hands along his haggard face and kept breathing. He cracked open another beer. The constant waves that Cory had found soothing so recently now irritated and annoyed him. He turned the key back in the ignition and switched on the radio to some mind-numbing soft rock station. He left it playing low as a background noise, as a distraction. He didn’t want to get stuck inside his own head, but he guessed he should have thought about that before he isolated himself in his old pickup truck that was so old the engine was embarrassingly loud. People could hear him coming from miles away. But then again, that made sense because Cory had never been talented at deception, had never been good at hiding things. When his commander told him he was going to be redeployed, he barely hid the smile on his face, could hardly contain his excitement. Cory was ready to go, ready to return. Cory knew that sounded strange, utterly inconceivable, but he had people over there, he left people over there. The truth of the matter was that Cory had two families he would kill for, and be killed for. Both were small and close knit. They were equal that way, but the one at home was safe and would be okay. The other one, the one overseas, needed him. It was simple for Cory – they needed him and so he would go. Sure he was scared; hell, he was terrified, would be crazy not to be. But he wanted to go back. At home, he felt useless. There was a definite lack of adrenaline in his day to day routine, and he realized that being a soldier on active duty during wartime was like an addiction. Politicians vying for election would pontificate about the nobility and patriotism of sacrificing all for one’s country, and that was all well and good – Cory did not disagree – but war was bad. Horrible and horrendous things happened, but he would go back. He was returning without hesitation. He wouldn’t say it was because of something noble like patriotic duty, but he would argue that it was more than that. It was partly the addiction to adrenaline, partly the strong desire to stop feeling restless, and partly something else, something Cory was unable to explain. Other soldiers would get it. Other soldiers would definitely get it. He remembered one mission, a snatch and grab gone awry, where a wounded soldier being transported on a gurney, most likely fatally wounded, had sat up and returned fire upon the enemy. Cory thought that was so cool, that a dying man’s last moments were spent doing his utmost to protect his brothers in arms. Cory wanted to be like that. Things were bad over there. Enemy combatants were using American equipment to kill American soldiers. Now Cory didn’t have much of a mind for politics, would never willingly enter into a debate, and while some found that ironic or disappointing or whatever, Cory knew it wasn’t about that, about the politicians back home. It wasn’t about anyone back home, really, no matter what Hollywood or CNN tried to sell the American people. Soldiers kept fighting because of the guys to their left and because of the guys to their right. Brotherhood and loyalty called him back. He thought about his buddy, John. They had just come back in from patrol. They all assumed they were safe, back on base. The atmosphere was relaxed and the squadron had gathered at a picnic table. John had just finished telling some hilarious and wildly exaggerated story from boot camp. He was drinking soda from one of those classic glass bottles, so with laughter surrounding him, John raised the bottle to wet his whistle so he could continue entertaining. That was John’s thing – never serious, always on. It eased the tension and though they claimed it was obnoxious and knew it was just John’s defense mechanism for the anomaly that was life as a soldier, his buddies greatly appreciated it. So they all watched John drink from that bottle with admiration gleaming in their eyes. So they all saw the sniper’s bullet enter the bottom of the bottle. The glass shattered into thousands of shards, exploded. They flinched, some faces were cut, but they didn’t exactly look away, so they saw the bullet exit through the top of John’s skull. Cory missed John. He missed everyone he had served with, those surviving and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. That’s why he was ready to go back, that’s why he would go back – always, no matter when he was asked. He would forever fight for the guy to his right, and the guy to his left. That’s what he would try to explain to his mother. Posted in: Drama, Writing Tagged: Afghanistan, Appearance, Army, Aspiring Author, Aspiring Authors, Aspiring Writer, Aspiring Writers, Author, Authors, Avid Reader, Avid Readers, Avid Writer, Beauty, Belmar, Belmar BookCon, Blonde, Bookstores, Brotherhood, Brunette, Challenges, Creative Writer, Creative Writers, Creative Writing, Creative Writing Prompts, Daughter, Debut Novel, Deployment, Duty, Family, Father, Fourth of July, Fresh Boiled Peanuts, Hair, Hair Dye, Haircut, Her Beautiful Monster, Imaginative Writer, Imaginative Writing, Inspiration, Iraq, Love, Loyalty, Manasquan, Mandi Bean, Martin Sisters Publishing, Moody Blue, Networking, New Jersey, Novelist, opportunity, Paperback Exchange, Patriotism, Pennsylvania, Prompts, Proud to be an American, Read, Reader, Readers, Reading, Risk, Second Novel, Tattoo, Tour, Ultimate Sacrifice, Veteran, Write, Writer, Writers, Writing On playing tiny violins. On battling back against disappointment. On “Castle Rock.” On the end of a decade (dramatic though it may sound). On 3,000 words.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24637
__label__cc	0.575078	0.424922	You can find the results of your search below. @crowley:confessions Any namespace Sort by hits Fulltext results: 2 Hits, Last modified: 4 months ago ra in //The Waltz Dream//. The poem describes the history of our liaison. I wrote also two short stories. ... widow lady in Paris who could beat him at his own game." {667} I am passionately indignant that the per the assassins. They asked for it! Incidentally, history bears out this view. The greatest horrors in the history of mankind are not due to the ambition of the Nap... gical powers so as to beat your mother at her own game." He had considerable capacity for Magick and un... ives a little lecture on the healthfulness of the game, its virtue to bring out the finest qualities of ied power of expression which has no equal in the history of the language, and an intensity of idea which e... as humanly possible; but it was fighting a losing game. Finally, early in 1909, the doctor threw up the uch importance that the last event in the world's history of importance, even approaching it, was Mohammed'... le. As I have said, I take no interest in natural history and know nothing of it. But this beetle attracte... o resources. She could not play even the simplest game of cards, and of my whole library of three thousa... the fearful pheasant. He could not understand the game laws. Well, I'm a poet; I determined to create sp in it. I have made several attempts to write the history of these few weeks, notably, that section of //[[... from those enjoyed by the rest of man kind. The history of mankind teems with religious teachers. These m... he perversion of his precepts. It is apart of the game. //[[/crowley/libers/lib1\|Liber I vel Magi]]// te... There are many magical teachers but in recorded history we have scarcely had a dozen Magi in the technica to fill this important position. Let her stand in history by the unassuming title of "Red-headed Arabella".... llows: By a glorious act human misery is secured (history of Christianity). Hence, appreciation of the per... y of the play). Hence, attacks on the mystics of history need not cause us to condemn mysticism. Also, th... ughtless, as it might easily have put him off his game, and to get married at the earliest possible mome 5 Hits, Last modified: 17 months ago with the utmost enthusiasm. Needless to say, the game is free from the swanking exclusiveness of the Eu... nd the poorest farmer of the district meet in the game with the noble equality of "chivalry" in the true... it de corps of horsemen. The exhilaration of the game is extraordinary. Played as it is, it is free fro... dman was right. It would be far finer to play the game for the sake of enjoying the free exercise of one of the critical facts. India can be governed, as history proves, by any alien autocracy with sufficient mo... pigeons. I went out occasionally after the bigger game, though I prefer low country shooting. I hate cli and the kites had great rivalry in retrieving the game. The kites seemed to know that they would not be ... like Pasha Bailey Ben than any other character in history. <WRAP indent> They brought him onions strung on horrifying him by occasional excursions after big game. I may as well go back a little in time and recor... philosophy without reference to the criticisms of history. The Buddhism of Ceylon is {249} based on the can I went on to San Francisco. The city is famous in history for the earthquake of 1906; and for having starve... nd squabbles. Ah me! the Gods were at their grim game; they had another dagger ready to slip between my roughness and accuracy in every department of the game. It illustrate one point. I had considered mysel... e the idiosyncrasies of certain very great men in history. He could not endure kittens. He did not mind gro 2 Hits, Last modified: 2 years ago that solitary climbing was the safest form of the game. The one problem was the snow-covered glacier. I ... transaction involved. I doubt whether any one in history was ever furnished with such a completely rotten death is one of the most curious accidents in the history of climbing. He had gone up to Deep Ghyll with so... e begins to take lessons one spoils one's natural game and one does not recover until the artificially a... I got him to make an appointment with me and the game had to be adjourned in a position which was clear e suits were roses, violets, etc. It was the same game; but the camouflage satisfied my uncle's conscien... en of Henry VI, who was my favourite character in history. This is highly significant, as indicating the ty... to destroy them. The people who have really made history are the martyrs. I suppose that there comes to a... - He devised a most ingenious method of teaching history by charts, each nation being represented by a riv Bookmark this page on these social networks	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24638
__label__cc	0.55258	0.44742	Israeli Officials Adidas Artists for Holocaust Survivors Ashdod Awards Bat Yam Beit Shemesh Blankets C4I Celebrations Children Christen an der seite Israels Christians for Israel Concerts Containers Dental Treatment Events Eye Clinic Food Distribution GAiN Germany GAiN Sponsorship Program GAiN USA Gleanings for the Hungry Global Forum Grocery Cards Hadera Haifa Hanukkah Helping Hand Coalition Helping Hand Coalition for Israel Helping Hand Coalition Global Forum HHC Caesarea Villa Holy Ground Explorations IDF Individuals in Need Individual Support Israel Food Outreach Israeli State Officials Izak Goldfinger Jewish Voice International Joseph Project Knesset March of Life March of Life Villa March of the Nations March of the Nations 2018 Municipalities Netanya Ofakim Operation Blessing Or Akiva Petach Tikva Photos Polish Polish-Israeli Relations Poverty Raffles Air Rehovot Rishon LeZion Sderot Shalom House Shalom Israel Singapore Single Mothers Support for Individuals in Need Survivors of the Holocaust Tel Aviv Underprivileged Underprivileged Families Video Volunteers War Veterans WWII Veterans Youth Zikaron Foundation Event: Crystal Music International Festival 2019 It was a night of all nights! The International Convention Center in Haifa was filled with more than 2,000 guests coming from all over the world, 1,000 Holocaust survivors and World War II veterans brought in busloads by Helping Hand Coalition, also broadcasting to 180 countries worldwide – reaching over 500 million viewers. Such event was organised by Crystal Forum Association and Helping Hand Global Forum, The feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) is a significant feast for both Christians and Jews. For the Jewish people, Shavuot is a feast commemorating the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai; and for the Christians, it’s the day the Spirit of God came and dwelt on earth, beginning in the Upper Room, in Jerusalem. To celebrate this important holiday, Crystal Forum Association and Helping Hand Coalitionjoined forces for the second year to create a night for all of both communities to come together and honor the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! The Message: “Connecting Hands in Unity – We Change the Future.” The Goal: Bringing Christians and Jews together from around the world, to support the Land of Israel, and show the people that they are not alone. For ten years, Crystal Forum Association has been hosting the Crystal Music Festival, stirring up change by bringing two groups of people together for an evening of fellowship and music. In a world where the media is spreading lies about what is happening in the Land of Israel, it is essential when hosting events like this to be a beacon of light and show the world that Israel is standing firm and that the people are louder than ever. Welcoming the event the chairman of Crystal Forum Association, Daniel Matiash, along with the heads of Helping Hand Coalition, Andre & Bozena Gasiorowski, took to the stage to share a few words. Bozena spoke an enlightening speech about the power of art and music, how it brings people together in a way nothing else can. During Andre’s speech, he invited all of the people who were involved in World War II to stand up so the rest of the audience could acknowledge what they went through, and show them support and appreciation. Watching each survivor stand was an overwhelming moment. As the audience clapped and recognized those present, words cannot fathom the amount of honor and love that emanated around the room for people that have been through so much. Luke Gasiorowski – Executive Director of Helping Hand Coalition, and esteemed Israeli jewelry designer Nikita Ben Ami, presented the performers as they came onto the stage. Opening the concert as the first musical act was Joshua Aaron, a singer who came to Israel with his family almost ten years ago. Son of an Israeli, Joshua told us that he couldn’t pass up the chance to perform in the city where his mother grew up. His performance started the night on a high note, but with each performance, that high seemed to reach to the stars. Following Joshua’s performance was a Power Dancers team who came all the way from Seoul, South Korea! Their church, Church of All Nations, has been sponsoring the Crystal Music Festival from the very beginning. Providing their support and expressing their unconditional love for Israel and the Holocaust survivors, the Power Worship Team’s performance radiated the Spirit of God with each song and dance they performed. Wearing a rainbow of colorful costumes, the Korean dancers spread their warmth and energy throughout the auditorium. Their dances brought smiles to people’s faces, and their songs were like a kiss from Heaven. Other musical acts included: Shaul and Yulia Ben Har, Irina Abdulmalikova, Ruach HaChaim, Uri Goren, and Melech HaKavod. Pastor Oren Lev Arie, from Jerusalem, took a few minutes in-between acts to share a message that was on his heart. Speaking about Joseph and his technicolor coat, Pastor Oren explained how the coat is a lot like Israel, being that people from all over the world, from different cultures, come to dwell in the Land of Israel. He also went on to talk about how countries attempted to eliminate the Jewish people, and while they succeeded in killing more than six million, they ultimately failed in annihilating us all. Asking a question many people have, “Where was God during the Holocaust?” Pastor Oren’s explained, “God was with us, and He is still with us.” It’s taken many years, but more and more people are coming to understand Israel’s importance; from the acknowledgment of Jerusalem as the capital to countries from around the world aiding Israel in extinguishing the wildfires that have been sweeping through the country! The entire concert was lively, entertaining, and full of excitement. Being in the crowded auditorium, watching the performances, and talking with those present was the perfect way to celebrate the feast of Shavuot. It was also an honor to have the Holocaust survivors and war veterans join us in this celebration of life and unity. A few memorable moments include: Of course, Power Worship Team’s performance that shone as bright as the sun; the youth group from Nazareth Illit, Ruach HaChaim, with a musical act that got people on their feet dancing; and Shaul and Yulia Ben Har (Shamayim Ptuchim / Open Heavens), whose songs caused the crowd to clap and sing along. The Crystal Music Festival is a highlight of the year, and Helping Hand Coalition would like to thank all of those who were involved in making the night a success. To the Church of All Nations from South Korea who continue to bless Israel with their support and love. All the musical acts who were beyond talented, and the speakers who shared profound wisdom! Thank you, also, to the representative of the Vice Mayor of Haifa, the Consul of the Belarus Embassy in Israel, for your presence at this event and addressing audience. Each year, the performances are becoming more amazing, and the crowds are getting bigger! Don’t miss your chance to join in with next year’s festivities; our time together is a very special occasion. If you would like to get involved, you can donate, volunteer, or perform at the upcoming events. We love having new people come and bless the Holocaust survivors, those who are in need, and the people of Israel. go to => Photo Gallery Luke Gasiorowski & Nikita Ben Ami Consul of Belarussia – Andrei Sadovski Deputy Mayor of Haifa Joshua Aaron Power Dancers team Irina Abdulmalikova Shaul & Julia Ben Har Uri Goren Ruach HaChaim Melech HaKavod Ps. Ronya Son Andre & Bozena Gasiorowski	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24640
__label__wiki	0.646347	0.646347	Home»Patient-Centered Care Fact or Fallacy: Could Artificial Intelligence Replace Doctors? As medical professionals continue to turn to machine-learning technology like IBM Watson to boost diagnosis and treatment, we address myths and truths about introducing AI for healthcare. Brian Ahier Brian Ahier is a digital health evangelist who serves as the director of standards and government affairs for Medicity. Much discussion and debate surround the topic of physicians and the use of artificial intelligence. The notion that AI could ever fully replace a doctor is not a completely absurd one — there are many jobs, including white-collar professions, that eventually will be replaced by automation and various levels of machine-learning technology. Certainly, from a pragmatic perspective, it is interesting to consider the possibility of a physician who never needs to eat, never tires, can read thousands of pages of new research every day, can record and remember every experience and can even communicate in multiple languages. But can a machine provide better patient care? SIGN UP: Get more news from the HealthTech newsletter in your inbox every two weeks Fallacy: Empathy Is Not Necessary In a recent Harvard Business Review article, authors Richard Susskind, chairman of the advisory board of the Oxford Internet Institute, and his son Daniel, an economics fellow at the University of Oxford’s Balliol College, say that AI will not only support physicians in their work, but also ultimately replace them. The argument that technology cannot be empathic is moot, they argue, and many aspects of professional work do not require compassion. The authors argue that judgment, creativity and empathy are not necessary to the practice of medicine. However, those qualities are extremely desirable for all health professionals, especially doctors. To say that empirical evidence shows that doctors’ work doesn’t require the use of reason and judgment demeans the profession. When a patient or caregiver is troubled or overly agitated, empathy is certainly in order. What’s more, innovation springs from creativity. I do not see neural networks and deep learning approaching the human capacity for new ideas. Fact: Radiology Is Ripe for AI Disruption Certainly, there are many provider tasks that could benefit from AI, and other jobs where it may completely take over, including the routine, process-based work in which machines are quite often more capable than their human counterparts. Many physicians likely would welcome that type of help. In some areas, such as radiology, AI is already poised to improve patient care. Perhaps the best argument in its favor: AI technology has been shown to cut diagnostic errors. According to research published in the journal Radiology, machine learning was able to predict the survival of patients who suffer from pulmonary hypertension. For the study, software read magnetic resonance imaging heart scans and blood test results from 256 patients. It measured the movement of 30,000 different points in the organ’s structure during each heartbeat, and could predict survival results about five years into the future. The researchers say their work demonstrates the ability to minimize human intervention while maximizing existing computational resources. They believe that by integrating experimental and clinical data, the time is growing closer for using such tools in routine clinical practice. Some radiologists may indeed lose their jobs. Fallacy: Tech Will Take Over Tumor Treatment Yes, cancer detection and treatment represent another area in which machine learning is progressing rapidly. IBM Watson, for instance, uses cognitive computing AI technology to recommend cancer treatments in rural areas of the United States, India and China, which suffer from shortages of trained professionals; however, those tools and services should be viewed as supplementary to a physician’s repertoire, not a replacement for it. For the Watson for Oncology project, doctors and analysts at New York-based Memorial Sloan Kettering trained the AI platform for more than a year to sort through hundreds of medical journals and textbooks. Now, Watson for Oncology is being deployed into clinical practice at Jupiter Medical Center in South Florida, which announced in February that it would become the first community hospital in the United States to take advantage of the platform. Additionally, IBM Watson and Quest Diagnostics have launched a service that combines cognitive computing with genomic tumor sequencing, helping to precisely target all of the mutations a tumor might undergo. Still, humans remain at the heart of those efforts. At HIMSS 2017, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty echoed that sentiment, arguing that the technology is built to augment human intelligence, not replace it. Watson should be considered an aide or a colleague, she said. “It is not about fear here.” It’s interesting to ponder such a future based on the potential cost-effectiveness and efficiency for healthcare providers. Still, some personal, emotional and spiritual aspects cannot be ignored. Colin Anderson/Glow Images Moving to Windows 10 in Healthcare: Read Our Complete Coverage 5 Healthcare Tech Trends to Watch in 2020 How the IoMT Will Evolve to Better Fit Healthcare Needs in 2020 Make Smart Speakers Part of Your Care Strategy How the Internet of Medical Things Is Impacting Healthcare The 2019 Healthcare Technology Influencers List: HealthTech’s 30 Must-Follow Health IT Influencers	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24643
__label__wiki	0.740677	0.740677	Fake Week The Latest Iffy Wellness Trend Is CBD-Infused Workout Gear Ed Cara Filed to:cbd Illustration: Elena Scotti (Photos: Getty Images, Shutterstock) Fake Week Fake WeekThis week, Gizmodo explores fakes, copies, simulations, and what is really “real” anyway. There’s no shortage of products that are being filled, soaked, or sprinkled with cannabidiol, the non-mind-altering ingredient in cannabis otherwise known as CBD. And the latest trend is sure to appeal to the wellness crowd: CBD-stuffed fitness wear that supposedly soothe your sore muscles before they even start hurting. But while these products are the clearest sign yet of CBD’s mainstream moment, they’re also emblematic of how much of a racket the industry has become in so short a time. Should You, Your Mom, and Your Dog Be Using CBD? They’re everywhere—in your supermarket, at the chain pharmacy, even in your local pet shop. The… In August, the New York-based company Acabada Active made its world debut, launching its line of CBD-infused “luxury ProActiveWear.” The company’s garments range from a $125 sports bra to a $275 jumpsuit, all of which are said to be made in a factory in Portugal that uses 100 percent renewable energy (Acabada happens to mean “finished” in Portuguese). The CBD, however, is 100 percent sourced from the U.S.—a distinction made possible in late 2018, when the country legalized the farming of hemp cannabis crops, which contain little to no THC, the ingredient notorious for making us stoned. Screenshot: AcabadaActive.com Up to 25 grams of CBD are said to be packaged in each Acabada piece, thanks to “microencapsulation technology” that traps CBD droplets in tiny containers, according to the company. When wearers exercise and rub against the clothing, the microcapsules break open and periodically douse their skin with CBD. As for longevity, the CBD supply is supposed to last about 40 “high-intensity wear-and-wash cycles,” after which the person will still have a durable piece of gym clothing. Acabada, like many purveyors of CBD on the market, is careful not to make overt boasts that its products will treat or cure any condition, lest it run afoul of the Food and Drug Administration’s mandate that CBD-based products can’t be sold with unapproved medical claims. Indeed, there is no such thing as a FDA-approved topical version of CBD. Yet Acabada’s advertisements do tell prospective buyers to “embrace the anti-inflammatory, calming, and muscle relieving benefits your favorite CBD topical provides,” as well as that its CBD-loaded garments will “help fight soreness and promote healing before activity even begins.” Part of what makes these products so alluring is that there’s a grain of truth to them. There are absolutely medical conditions that CBD (as well as THC and cannabis) can and will likely be proven to help treat. Last year, for instance, CBD was approved as an anti-seizure drug in liquid form to be taken orally. Lab studies of CBD have also found evidence that it could be anti-inflammatory, including on human skin, while some studies in humans have suggested that it could help relieve chronic pain. And you don’t have to go far to find gym rats who claim that CBD makes their workouts easier to handle by speeding up recovery time and alleviating soreness. “We didn’t try to validate the concept, the efficacy, of CBD—that’s a little above our pay grade. There are people out there that understand CBD, that believe in CBD, that are already advocates. And that’s who we’re going to focus on.” But according to Ziva Cooper, research director of the Cannabis Research Initiative at the University of California, Los Angeles, the currently available studies aren’t close to confirming Acabada’s marketing. “We don’t have good evidence that, from controlled studies with humans, CBD is going to help accelerate the healing process,” she told Gizmodo by phone. “And if CBD does have an impact on healing or muscle soreness, we are in the dark as of yet with respect to how well it gets absorbed by the body when given topically.” That’s an especially crucial point, since a drug can affect the body very differently depending on how it’s absorbed. A drug in topical form might cause less side effects but only work on where it was applied, for instance. Other drugs need to be very specially designed to actually affect the body through the skin, and won’t work at all otherwise. Don’t expect double-blinded, controlled clinical trials from Acabada anytime soon. The company provided Gizmodo with in-house research showing that its products secrete CBD as expected, without causing irritation to its wearers or leaking out in the wash; they also have data showing that their microencapsuled CBD is capable of penetrating the skin, where it’s supposed to interact with the natural cannabinoid receptors found in cells there. Acabada Active CEO Seth Baum told Gizmodo that customer surveys have been largely positive, with 32 out of 38 respondents saying they felt a little or much better after using Acabada products (100 in total were asked to respond). But according to Baum, proving that the CBD in Acabada products actually does anything for customers wasn’t on their list of priorities before launch. “We didn’t try to validate the concept, the efficacy, of CBD—that’s a little above our pay grade,” he said. “There are people out there that understand CBD, that believe in CBD, that are already advocates. And that’s who we’re going to focus on.” Baum’s rationale can be seen from virtually everyone hawking these products, according to Tim Caulfield, a health policy expert in Ontario, Canada who’s more recently taken to confronting the pseudoscience in pop culture. “It wasn’t that long ago that we were talking about reefer madness and harms associated with cannabis,” Caulfield told Gizmodo. “But within a relatively short amount of time, CBD has become a mainstay of this multi-trillion-dollar wellness industry and its benefits are assumed, its efficacy is assumed—it’s embraced this health halo.” There’s some room to argue that this mass interest in CBD might do some good, even if a lot of it will end up misplaced. Readers have sent emails to me extolling the benefits of CBD in helping them through their substance-use problems or chronic pain, adding that nothing else had worked. Cooper does think this public attention will help marshal the resources needed for scientists like her to properly understand the effects of CBD in people. It seems that Baum and his company are explicitly preaching to the already converted, regardless of medical consensus. But what good is hope if it’s ultimately false, or ginned up for the sake of making a buck? And though it’s debatable how many of these products even contain enough CBD to affect the body at all, much less positively, there can be real costs for buying into the CBD hype. “People could be using CBD that’s ineffective, instead of getting treatments that are effective. Or they could be using CBD that’s contaminated, which it often is. And if it is effective, then it can be harmful too—nothing is totally benign,” Caulfield noted, referencing documented instances of people taking fake or mislabeled CBD as well as the relatively mild but common side effects experienced by people taking enough CBD to treat their seizures. While Acabada may have hit the ground running in being the first dedicated CBD clothing company, it’s unlikely to be the only game in town for long. It collaborated with Belgium company Devan to make products infused with CBD, a technology billed as R-Vital that Devan has been advertising since January 2019. The rapidly growing cannabis industry as a whole is already projected to earn billions this year, even as the FDA has tried to crack down on the most egregious peddlers of CBD snake oil. And if you’re the patient type, you can also wait for a restocking of CBD-infused socks sold online through Amazon. CBD Might Help People Struggling With Opioid Addiction, Small Trial Shows Scientists Had Volunteers Get High to See How CBD and THC Affect the Brain Differently Science writer at Gizmodo and pug aficionado elsewhere	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24648
__label__cc	0.749324	0.250676	Home Healthcare Professionals Products Neurological Deep Brain Stimulation Systems Activa SC Activa™ SC Neurostimulator The ActivaTM SC is a single-channel, non-rechargeable primary cell neurostimulator for patients with moderate energy needs. The device is typically implanted in the chest or abdomen, connected to an extension and leads, which are implanted in the brain. The device delivers a controlled electrical pulse to precisely targeted areas of the brain. The Activa Portfolio provides the unprecedented ability to control the stimulation field with innovative interleaved pulses and patient-specific therapy groups. MEDTRONIC DBS THERAPY FOR DYSTONIA* Medtronic DBS Therapy for Dystonia is indicated for unilateral or bilateral stimulation of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) or the subthalamic nucleus (STN) to aid in the management of chronic, intractable (drug refractory) primary dystonia, including generalized and/or segmental dystonia, hemidystonia, and cervical dystonia (torticollis), in patients 7 years of age or above. Medtronic Reclaim DBS Therapy FOR OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER* The Medtronic Reclaim™ DBS Therapy is indicated for bilateral stimulation of the anterior limb of the internal capsule, AIC, as an adjunct to medications and as an alternative to anterior capsulotomy for treatment of chronic, severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adult patients who have failed at least three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The Activa SC† DBS system is ready for today’s imaging needs: Eligible patients with an Activa SC neurostimulator may have an MRI scan anywhere on the body under certain conditions.‡ Refer to the MRI Guidelines for Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation Systems and DBS MRI Eligibility Sheet for a complete list of conditions and instructions for use. Access these documents through the Medtronic MRI Resource Library. Lead model 3391 – psychiatric disorders DBS tunneling tool model 3755 Clinician programmer model CT900 (tablet) with Activa™ clinician programmer application model A610, and communicator 8880T2 N'Vision™ clinician programmer model 8840 Access prescriber, implant, MRI, and other manuals on the Medtronic Manual Library. Search by the product name (Activa SC) or model number (37603). You may also call 800-961-9055 for a copy of a manual. Primary cell Model 37602: 45 g (1.6 oz) Humanitarian Device: Medtronic DBS Therapy has been authorized by Federal Law for the use as an aid in the management of chronic, intractable (drug refractory) primary dystonia and for people with chronic, severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. The effectiveness of this device for these uses has not been demonstrated. Only Activa SC Model 37603 is eligible for full-body MRI. Activa SC Model 37602 is NOT eligible for full-body MRI. Medtronic DBS systems are MR Conditional and are safe for MRI scans under certain conditions. Refer to the MRI Guidelines for Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation Systems for a complete list of conditions and instructions for use. UC201711123dEN-REV010653	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24650
__label__wiki	0.956655	0.956655	Go Fashion Ideas Home » World News » Student jailed for calling for Muslims to be 'wiped off the earth' Student jailed for calling for Muslims to be 'wiped off the earth' Expelled student, 22, is jailed for 18 months after calling for Muslims to be ‘wiped off the face of the earth’ in vile 17-minute Facebook video rant Louis Duxbury issued a ‘call to arms’ during the rant after terror attacks in 2017 The court heard Duxbury was first reported to police about his views aged 15 Duxbury, of York, denied inciting religious hatred but was convicted by a jury Louis Duxbury, 22, issued the ‘call to arms’ shortly after a series of terrorist attacks in 2017 An expelled student has been jailed for 18 months after he called for Muslims to be ‘wiped off the face of the earth’ in a vile 17-minute Facebook rant. Louis Duxbury, 22, issued the ‘call to arms’ shortly after a series of terrorist attacks in 2017. A fellow sports science student at York St John University reported the tirade to the university authorities who expelled him and called in police. The court heard Duxbury, of York, was first reported to police about his far right views as a 15-year-old schoolboy in 2015. Teachers reported him for an inflammatory anti-Islam comment he posted online following the murder of Fusilier Rigby, it was heard. Jailing him, the Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, warned him his video could contribute to a future attack on Muslims. ‘It has been a multi-racial and multi-faith island for thousands of years and will continue to be so,’ he said. ‘We have to live together in harmony because otherwise mayhem follows. I think you are a bit of a sad loner, but you have to go to prison.’ Duxbury denied inciting religious hatred but was convicted by a jury. Glenn Parsons, mitigating, said: ‘The full force of those 17 minutes nearly two years ago have been brought home to Louis Duxbury.’ A statement from the university said: ‘Incitement to violence of any kind is abhorrent and there is absolutely no place for racist behaviour or language at York St John University.’ The court heard Duxbury was first reported to police about his far right views as a 15-year-old schoolboy in 2015 Duxbury had refused to go through the Prevent anti-radicalisation process. The university added: ‘Whilst we are saddened to see behaviour that does not reflect our commitment to equality and human rights, we know that cases like this are extremely rare amongst our student community. ‘We are pleased that our students identified this behaviour as unacceptable and brought their concerns to us.’ Detective Constable Mike Holden, of North Yorkshire Police, said: ‘I hope this goes to show that people who attempt to stir up tensions between communities will be dealt with robustly. York and North Yorkshire is a safe place to live and work, and I want communities to be reassured that North Yorkshire Police will always take positive action against people who are threatening towards others because of their race or religion.’ The university has launched a service for students to report hate crime. At his trial, Duxbury claimed that the 2017 video was a ‘rant’, and he believes in a diverse, multi-cultural society. He claimed he was only talking about extremists and terrorists and not Muslims in general and denied bring racist or fascist. Banker jailed for bludgeoning student-turned-sex worker with pestle MP Fiona Onasanya jailed for 3 months after lying to escape speeding points – but will still receive full salary while behind bars Ex-jihadist jailed for murders in Jewish museum in Brussels Paedophile, 43, is jailed for 10 years for sexually assaulting baby Officer jailed for downloading porn on family’s TV after son’s suicide ‘Game of Thrones’ Star Pilou Asbaek Drops F-Bomb on Live TV at SAG Awards GMB descends into chaos as Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid ignite shouting match Royal news: The Queen, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew SAG Awards 2020: Joaquin Phoenix Wins Best Movie Actor, ‘Parasite’ Makes History Parasite Makes History With Major SAG Awards Win	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24656
__label__cc	0.71388	0.28612	Biogen Corporate Apply here if submitting requests to Australia, New Zealand or the United States, or your request is global in scope. Otherwise, contact your local Biogen office to apply. Professional & Scientific Development General Grant Financial contributions to eligible organizations to support specific objectives, without tangible benefit to Biogen in return. Funding for training programs created by medical schools, academic medical centers, teaching hospitals, or other healthcare-related organizations to support faculty and visiting scholars to advance their educational and research activities. 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An organization’s failure to appropiately submit a reconciliation by the due date may delay or prohibit future funding of applications. Submit your application today Contact a GMSG team member Tel.: 1-617-914-1299 Tel. (toll free): 1-866-840-1146 Monday - Friday from 8am - 4pm EST grantsandgiving@biogen.com www.biogengrantsandgivingportal.com © 2019 Biogen \| Grants Management & Strategic Giving Office You are now leaving Biogen’s corporate website. We encourage you to read and evaluate terms of use, privacy, security and other similar policies of the destination site as they may differ from Biogen’s standards. Biogen assumes no responsibility nor does it control, endorse or guarantee any aspect of your use of any third party sites. Additionally, the presence of this link does not imply the third party site's endorsement of Biogen or this website.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24665
__label__cc	0.56407	0.43593	Fanning Cup Join GCGCSA Green Breeze OUR PAST, OUR PRESENT, OUR FUTURE The Greater Cincinnati Golf Course Superintendents Association Hall of Fame is dedicated to the men and women who spent a lifetime growing, maintaining, designing, improving and perfecting the playing fields of the great game of golf. It is a tribute to the people who taught us, trained us, and molded us, using their talents to promote, innovate and refine our profession. It is an historical record of those that have given of their time and their experiences to bring this organization leadership, purpose and a plan for the future. This Hall of Fame will be a permanent and accessible source of historical information on our profession and our organization. It is a record of where we came from, where we are, and where we might be headed. GCGCSA Hall of Fame Nominations This is an opportunity to immortalize the history of past and present turf professionals. You, as a member, can commemorate those men and women who have influenced your careers and maybe your lives. They are the people from your past who have helped build the turf industry of the present and paved the way for its future. Please take some time to give this careful consideration, the same consideration you would hope to receive from our future turf professionals. This form is to be used to nominate an individual to the GCGCSA Hall of Fame. Nominations will be reviewed and considered by the Hall of Fame Committee. The chosen individual(s) will be announced at the Scholarship Tournament. Awards and formal induction will be at the Annual Meeting. Nominations must be received by January 1st for proper consideration. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION ONLINE Individuals who are or have been a member of the GCGCSA; served on the Board; have been in the turf industry for at least 10 years. Taylor Boyd Harry Meslo Dwight Brown Don Likes Jon McCoy Cliff Runyan Nick Todd Charlie Tadge Marion Mendenhall Dick Craig Jim Glazier Cal Gruber Mike O'Connell Denny Warner Howard Dammel Bob O'Brien Denny Acomb	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24666
__label__cc	0.721935	0.278065	You are here: Home / Animals/Things that live in Trees / Turkey Tail Fungus: Everything You Need to Know March 6, 2019 /in Animals/Things that live in Trees, Nuisance From Trees, Tree Diseases /by Ruben In many ways, fungi represent some of the most important and omnipresent threats to trees. Many fungi subsist almost entirely on the tissues of trees, and thanks to their reproductive strategy, their spores can be found nearly everywhere. And unfortunately, scientists estimate that there are millions of fungal species in the world. Below, we’ll explain the basics of one such species and discuss how it may affect your trees. The species is known to biologists and arborists as Trametes versicolor, but most people simply call it what it looks like: the turkey tail fungus. Turkey Tail Identification Turkey tail fungus is named for its resemblance to a turkey’s tail – that’s plain to see when you look at it. In general appearance, it looks like a vaguely semicircular fan, with rings of varying colors (in fact, “versicolor” means “of several colors”). The fan-shaped fungus is only a millimeter or two thick, but it occasionally reaches 4-inches in diameter. Note that when we describe the turkey tail fungus, we are really only discussing the fruiting body or mushroom – a structure that biologists call a sporocarp. The bulk of the organism grows as thin fibers called mycelia, which are found inside the tree or soil. Turkey tail fungus does look somewhat similar to a few other species. The best way to distinguish it from its lookalikes relies on subtle characteristics, such as pore size. This is generally outside of the capabilities of amateurs, so while you can often arrive at a tentative identification of the fungus, you’ll likely need professional help to arrive at a positive identification. Trees Vulnerable to Turkey Tail Fungus It’s hard to know for sure, but many biologists believe that turkey tail may be the most common decomposer of hardwood trees in the United States. The species is, in fact, absurdly common, and you can probably find it during a brief walk through any hardwood forest. Nevertheless, while it does occasionally attack conifers, turkey tail fungus is primarily a threat to hardwoods. A few of its most common targets include the following: Tuliptrees Sweet gums However, it is important to remember that turkey tail fungus can affect an incredibly broad subsection of trees, so you don’t want to rely on its host species to confirm or disconfirm its identity. Turkey tail fungus is likely most commonly seen on dead trees, shed branches and old firewood, but it also attacks living individuals. It most commonly attacks wounded trees (or those that have been improperly pruned), but it is also a problem for trees that have become stressed by improper care, water stress or disease. Sequalae: What Happens When Turkey Tail Fungus Infects a Tree Turkey tail fungus – like many other fungi – digests and decomposes the structural elements of a tree’s cells. Turkey tail primarily attacks a component of the tree’s cell walls, called lignin. Lignin is typically dark brown in color, which means that when the fungus destroys it, the infected wood often becomes very pale or white in color. This is part of the reason turkey tail is said to cause white rot (as opposed to brown rot, which is caused by other fungi). If you suspect that some of your trees have become infected with turkey tail virus, give your friends at Evergreen Arborist Consultants a call and we’ll have one of our certified and experienced arborists visit your property. Diseases of the California Sycamore Tree Five Common Diseases of Avocado Trees Animals/Things that live in Trees Basic about Trees Expert Witness Arborist Famous Trees Insect Damage Notable Arborist Nuisance From Trees Sidewalk Tree Damage Tree Diseases Tree Failure Type of Tree What Happens to Trees Pests That Attack California Oaks Know Your Enemy: Six Insects That Attack Avocado Trees	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24668
__label__wiki	0.914775	0.914775	Vicente L. Rafael Giovanni and Amne Costigan Endowed Professorship vrafael@uw.edu SMI 116A Asian AmericanComparative ColonialismsEmpire and ColonialismHistoriographyNationalismPhilippine and Filipino AmericanRace and EthnicitySoutheast AsiaUnited States Ph.D. Cornell University, 1984 M.A. Cornell University, 1982 BA, Ateneo de Manila University, 1977 Curriculum Vitae (625.09 KB) Trained in Southeast Asian history, European intellectual history and anthropology, my research interests include areas such as language and power, the politics of translation, Comparative Colonialisms and nationalism, the social history of media and mediation, critical theory and anthropology, empire, race and gender. Much of my writing has been on the colonial and post-colonial Philippines and the United States. 2017. Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas para sa Kritisimo sa Ingles (Balagtas Award for Criticism in English), UMPIL (Union of Writers in the Philippines). 2017. Visiting Professor, Nida School of Translation Studies, Misano Adriatico, Italy. 2014. Visiting Professor, De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University, Manila, Philippines. 2013. Visiting Professor, University of the Philippines. 2013. Visiting Faculty, Nida School of Translation Studies, Misano Adriatico, Italy. 2011. Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Haverford College. 2011. Distinguished Professor, Nida School of Translation Studies, Misano Adriatico, Italy. 2008. Solomon Katz Distinguished Lecturer, University of Washington. 2007. Grant Goodman Prize, Philippine Studies Group, Association for Asian Studies (This is a lifetime achievement award in Philippine Studies). 2006. Invited to be a Resident Fellow, Center for the Study of Advanced Behavioral Sciences, Stanford. 2006. Mini-grant, Transnational Institute, Jackson School, Univ. of Washington. 2004-05. Fellowship, Simpson Humanities Center, Univ. of Washington. 2003. Fellowship, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto Univ., Japan (declined). 2000-01. Fellowship, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. 2000. Winner, National Book Award for History, Manila Critics’ Circle, Philippines (for "White Love and Other Events in Filipino History"). 1998. The Andrews Visiting Chair in Asian Studies, University of Hawai'i at Manoa. 1998. Committee on Research Grant, Academic Senate, UCSD. 1997. Residential Fellowship, Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Study Center, Bellagio, Italy. 1997. Visiting Research Fellowship, Humanities Research Institute, Univ. of California, Irvine. 1996. Visiting Fellow, International Institute, University of Michigan. 1996-97. Visiting Fellow, Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton (declined). 1995. Luce Foundation. Southeast Asia Council Small grants. 1994. Visiting Fellow. Program for Cultural Studies, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii. 1992-93. Fellow, Humanities Research Institute, University of California, Irvine. 1992. Advanced Research Grant. Social Science Research Council. 1989-90. Committee on Research Grant, Academic Senate, UCSD. 1989. National Book Award for History, Manila Critics' Circle, Manila, Philippines (for "Contracting Colonialism"). 1988. Grantee, USIA Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs Exchange Program. 1987-88. Research and Training Award, University of Hawaii Research Council. 1986-87. Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship, Stanford Humanities Center, Stanford University. 1984. Lauriston Sharp Prize for Outstanding Dissertation, Southeast Asia Program, Cornell University. Joaquin, Nick. The Woman Who Had Two Navels and Tales of the Tropical Gothic. New York: Penguin Classics, 2017. (Introduction by Vicente L. Rafael.) Rafael, Vicente L. Motherless Tongues: The Insurgency of Language amid Wars of Translation. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2016. Print. Rafael, Vicente L. The Promise of the Foreign: Nationalism and the Technics of Translation in the Spanish Philippines. Durham: Duke University Press, 2005. Print. Rafael, Vicente L. White Love and Other Events in Filipino History. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2000. Print. Rafael, Vicente L. Figures of Criminality in Indonesia, the Philippines and Colonial Vietnam. Ithaca, N.Y.: Southeast Asia Program Publications, Southeast Asia Program, Cornell University, 1999. Print. Rafael, Vicente L. Discrepant Histories: Translocal Essays on Filipino Cultures. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1995. Print. Rafael, Vicente L. Contracting Colonialism: Translation and Christian Conversion in Tagalog Society Under Early Spanish Rule. Hardbound edition, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1988. Paperback edition, Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1993. Research Advised: Graduate Dissertations Lai, Symbol. Decolonizing Okinawa: Social Science, Agriculture, and US Militarism, 1945-1972. Diss. University of Washington, 2017. Chairs: Tani Barlow and Vince Rafael. Lumba, Allan. Monetary Authorities: Market Knowledge and Imperial Government in the Colonial Philippines, 1892 - 1942. Diss. University of Washington, 2013. Chair: Vicente Rafael. Inherited Destinies, phantom limbs: Empire, settler colonialism, and trauma in the Philippines and Peru, 1920-1928. Seattle. In progress. Arthit Jiamrattanyoo. "Empires of Amity: Affective Politics and Poetics of Friendship through the Colonial Philippines." Dissertation, Universty of Washington, ongoing. Research Advised: Dissertations Lin Hongxuan. "Ummah Yet Proletariat: Islam and Marxism in the Netherlands East Indies and Indonesia, 1915 - 1965." PhD diss., University of Washington, ongoing. HSTCMP 205 A: Filipino Histories HSTCMP 509 A: Foucault and History HSTCMP 485 B: Comparative Colonialism Summer 2019 A-term HSTCMP 485 A: Comparative Colonialism HSTRY 494 A: Colloquium in Historiography HSTCMP 205 B: Filipino Histories HSTCMP 590 A: Topics In History HSTRY 500 A: Perspectives On History Graduate Study Areas Asia: Pre-History to PresentComparative History: Comparative ColonialismsComparative History: Comparative Ethnicity and NationalismComparative History: HistoriographyUnited States Division: Asia--Pre-History to the Present This field is constructed with an emphasis on island Southeast Asia and the Philippines from 1521 to the present. Division: United States History Asian American socio-cultural histories, with an emphasis on Filipino Americans and Filipino overseas workers Division: Comparative History (Historiography, Comparative Ethnicity & Nationalism, and Comparative Colonialisms)* A field in Comparative Historiography will include Nationalist and postcolonial conceptions of history, deconstruction, critical theory especially as these relate to the politics of translation, religion, and media technologies. A field in Comparative Colonialisms will carry a focus on United States and Spanish imperialism in Asia and the Pacific. The field in Comparative Nationalism and Ethnicity focuses on the historical and technological conditions for the rise of nationhood, as well as the role of mass media, translation and the languages of power in nationalist discourses. *Students may not offer a field in the Comparative History division as a first field. Resources & Related Links Vicente Rafael's publications at Duke University Press Vicente Rafael's other publications on Academia.edu “Fact, Fiction, Fetish,” Rappler, Aug. 27, 2017. “Lola’s Resistant Dignity: Reading “My Family’s Slave” in the Context of Philippine History,” The Atlantic, May 31, 2017. “We’re Still Talking about “My Family’s Slave,” Code Switch, National Public Radio, 2017. “Duterte Unbound,” Dissent, Spring, 2017. “DeLima’s Arrest: Justice as Revenge,” in Rappler, Feb. 26, 2017. “Duterte, Mocha Outflanking Critics,” in Rappler, Jan. 10, 2017. “The Politics of Death,” in Rappler, Nov.23, 2016. “Marcos is Dead, Long Live Marcos,” Rappler, Aug. 10, 2016. “Comparing Extra-Judicial Killings in the Philippines and the US,” Rappler, July 17, 2016. “Duterte’s Hobbesian World,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 13, 2016. “Digong the storyteller,” Rappler, June 6, 2016. “Comparing Digong with P-Noy,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 28, 2016. “What was EDSA?” Philippine Daily Inquirer, Feb. 25, 2016. “How Revolutionary was the Revolution?” Rappler, May 28, 2015. “Filipino, the Language Which is Not One,” Rappler, Aug. 21, 2015. “Racism in the Philippines: Does it Matter?” Rappler, June 26, 2015. New Book with Introduction by Professor Vicente Rafael Collects Significant Works by Anglophone Filipino Writer Nick Joaquin - June 7, 2017 Translation: An Interview with Vicente Rafael - January 6, 2014 Professor Vincente Rafael on rich history of Tacloban - November 14, 2013 Professor Vincente Rafael's Contracting Colonialism Honored with 25th Anniversary Celebration - November 11, 2013	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24679
__label__cc	0.504942	0.495058	Hitchwiki β Revision as of 22:24, 16 November 2010 by Guaka (talk \| contribs) Earth > Asia > Western Asia > Israel > Tel Aviv Tel Aviv is considered by many the capital of Israel, and the center of the vast metropolitan area which is built all over central Israel. It is also where all the foreign embassies are located, since they do not recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. <map lat='32.05' lng='34.8' zoom='11' view='2' country='Israel'/> District (mahoz): Tel Aviv District Metropolitan Area: 3,150,800 (2007) Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots There is almost no good hitchhike spot in Tel Aviv itself, and your best bet is always to take the bus to the suburbs and try there, which is a pain on Shabbath, since there the public transport is very limited and more expensive. Hitch out To Haifa and the North Hitchiking to Haifa and the North is not that bad at all. There are two good places to start, both accessible by buses leaving from the central bus station, or from the Arlozerov Terminal (Namir street). To the Cinema City complex take bus number 501/601/90 (8.7 NIS). This is on the main road, 5 min out of Tel Aviv, and located half a kilometer north of the Gilot junction, where traffic from Jerusalem joins in with Tel Aviv traffic towards the north. Here there is a bus stop, but traffic on the main road is moving too fast to easily stop a car. Try instead hitchhiking a lift with one of the cars leaving the petrol station or shopping mall. Many drivers are only going to the first city on the main road, Herzaliya, but you can eventually get a lift that will take you beyond. You can also take a bus to the intersection where the main road turns off towards Yakum, 20 min out of Tel Aviv, after Herzalyia.. To get to this Yakum junction take bus 601 (13.5NIS). From here you can hitchhike from near the bus stop, which is a bit off the main road and so you'll be waiting for cars coming from Yakum or the petrol station here. Another good spot to hitch from Tel Aviv to the North is from right next to the Azrieli shopping mall (HaShalom train station). You'll need to cross the big bridge from Azrieli east (towards Givataim, on HaShalom/Givat HaTahmoshet street), past the train station, and right there turn left to the small ramp leading to Ayalon North. See exact location here. Notice that if you're going far north, that most of the traffic here is local, so it's best not to take a ride if doesn't take you at least as far as Netanya - otherwise you'll end up in another bad hitching spot in the Tel Aviv area. To Haifa a direct ride is best, as sometime drivers get off the highway where there is no good hitchiking spot. However, ask the driver and he may know a petrol station on the main road where he can drop you off. To Afula and Tiberias you will need to get a ride which turns right in Ceaseria Junction to Road 65 - If the driver continues till Haifa then you will not be able to get off in that junction. To Beer Sheva, the Negev, Eilat, Egypt and Aqaba (Jordan) One possible spot for this is from the Central ("Merkaz"/"Savidor"/"Tzafon") train station, AKA Arlozorov Bus Terminal, there is a small ramp leading to Ayalon Highway South-bound. Most of the traffic is local, and traffic goes from here in 3 main direction: Ayalon South, Road 4 (Ashdod, South) and Road 1 to Jerusalem direction. On that ramp there is a little used bus stop, and a place for cars to brake. They often do, even if it seems improbable at first. See exact location here. However, if 14.5NIS (3 Euro) is only a small part of your daily budget and you're not addicted to hitchhiking there is not really a good reason to go hitchhike - as the bus from Tel Aviv to Beer Sheva is pretty cheap, and from there you can continue south by thumb easily. Other Two options for the adventurous from Tel Aviv: The La Guardia on ramp south. Basically, anyone going South will take you to a better spot. It's not very safe though. Take bus 475 from Tel Aviv central bus station, and ask the driver for a ticket till "El-Al junction" (11.7 NIS). The bus will pass the "Airport offices", and the next station is where you should get off. From the bus station you just descended to, it is possible to hitchhike south towards Beer Sheva. You go south on Road 40#, don't take a ride which diverts from this road, and you will get to Beer Sheva. (The last few kms are considered road 406, so don't worry about it). If you are heading southern towards the Negev, Eilat or Egypt, then it's recommended to take a bus till "Goral Junction", 10 km north of Beer Sheva. Take any bus to Beer Sheva, like line 370 from Arlozerov terminal, and ask the driver to go off in that junction. From there continue your journey on Road 40, and again do not divert from this road. If you don't find there any long-haul rides, ask the drivers to take you do "Hativat Ha-Negev" Junction, from which any ride south will be helpful. Road 40 continues approx. 200 km south, till you reach "Ketura" junction, where you change to road 90 that goes all the way south to Eilat, the Jordanian border crossing at Aqaba, and the Egyptian border crossing at Taba. To Jerusalem Several options, none of them are great because those spots are before the Road 1 and Road 4 split, and much of the traffic are local commuters. guaka has had okay results with taking a local bus (Kavim 168 and some others) to the Tsomet Aluf Zede junction in Ramat Gan. The La Guardia on-ramp is not very safe, not a lot of space for traffic to stop, but it's walkable from the center and of course, people do stop. guaka used it twice and it didn't take longer than 10 minutes. The above mentioned Arlozerov bus stop might work, although traffic is heading in many different directions. If someone offers you a ride to Ben Gurion airport you can take it. At Terminal 3, make sure to have a sign in English with Jerusalem and hitch at the taxi stand (where people are getting in and out of normal cars as well). Terminal 1 is better since you can simply take Route 40, just make sure to walk to the trempiyada. Modi'in is a new city in between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and if someone offers a ride there you should definitely take it (stay on 443 though). To Nablus Take bus 127 to the second but last stop, walk on to highway 5, enjoy hitching in on-ramp since there won't be highway policemen. Be aware that Palestinians are sharing taxi, sometimes you have to pay for the ride. trash:Tel Aviv Retrieved from "https://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Tel_Aviv&oldid=47504" View edit history of this page.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24680
__label__cc	0.580347	0.419653	779 Andersen Dr. San Rafael, CA 94901 Service: 415-258-9619 hitecauto@sbcglobal.net All Inventory Inventory Specials Sold Inventory About Us Contact Us Meet Our Staff Read Our Reviews Privacy Policy 1975 Porsche 914/6 Model: 914/6 Vin: **SOLD** This 1975 Porsche 914 with a Laguna Blue exterior ( paint code L50C ) and a black vinyl interior is a one owner Bay Area California car. It was purchased on 8/9/1975 by a bio chemist at Sunnyvale Porsche/Audi in Sunnyvale California. He had traded in a 1966 six cylinder Ford Mustang for $300.00 to purchase the 914 1.8 which came optioned with, tinted glass, an AM/FM radio and a center arm rest. Extensive records for the 914 include the original purchase order from the dealership and hundreds of service records starting on 9/24/75 up to 5/17/17 when the owner passed away. Shortly after the owner passed away the 914 went into storage and Hi Tec Automotive is now offering the 914/6 for sale with a clean California title. To say that the owner was meticulous in maintaining the 914 is an understatement. Anything that was needed in repairs or maintenance was immediately performed and the records were kept and filed away. Along the way of ownership he became a Porsche Club of America (PCA) member and was not afraid of showing and driving his 914 to PCA events including the annual Porsche Parade that is held in various locations across the United States. Current mileage is 310206 but after inspecting and driving the 914/6 one would swear that it has only 45k or less on the odometer. The car first came to Hi Tec Automotive on 5/17/02 for a major service and we have been servicing it for the past 17 years. On 12/23/04 the 1.8 engine was diagnosed with a broken cam gear. The owner decided he wanted a little more power so a 2.0 stroker build was commissioned. At the same time the front brakes were upgraded to Porsche Boxster brakes and a Elephant Racing front swaybar kit was installed.. On 4/19/07 the ignition system was upgraded. On 4/30/08 the owner decided that he was ready for a six cylinder conversion. A 3.2 liter H6 was sourced from a 1988 Carrera. With excellent compression and leak down, it was determined that what was needed was an engine reseal and intake refresh. All components were inspected and what did not pass inspection was replaced. The clutch and all components were replaced and the 901 transmission was also inspected and determined that it was in very good condition. A Quaffe limited slip was installed along with a forged aluminum intermediate plate. A B&B Billy Boat exhaust system was also installed. Prior to the 3.2 engine being installed the engine compartment was stripped, treated and painted by Whitmans Autobody in San Rafael Ca. The front suspension was also upgraded with replacement of the torsion bars and Elephant Racing poly bronze bushings and friction mounts installed. The rear spring plate bushings were also replaced with Elephant Racing polly bronze bushings. Afterwards the car was lowered, corner balanced and aligned. On 7/24/12 the rear brakes were upgraded to Porsche Boxster brakes and on 12/18/12 the rear suspension was upgraded with Elephant Racing coil over springs with Bilstein shocks, bump stops, spring seat bearings, spring divider and helper spring. On 4/22/13 a Rennshift shift kit with linkage was installed and on 10/16/14 a Elephant Racing anti-rub steering kit was installed. Early on in the life of the 914 it had received some body and paint work as seen in the documents. The owner was very exacting on how the 914 should be in the best condition so if there was a scratch or anything else that needed attention it was taken care of immediately. Most of the exterior has since received repainting or blending. The majority of the interior paint, in the front and rear trunks, is showing factory paint except where there was some light rust repairs. The 914 shows no signs of any body or structural damage and all panels fit properly. There is no rust or corrosion in the car. After coming out of storage the 914 was disassembled for cleaning. This included removing the engine, transmission and suspension. After that it received a set of new Dunlop Direzza DZ102 tires sized 205/55R16 front and back along with a 4 wheel alignment. An oil service was also just performed. Recently the 914/6 received the infamous Gulf livery to compliment the Laguna Blue paint. The number 32 was selected to represent the 3.2 engine conversion. This adds some fun and uniqueness to the 914/6 but if the new owner decides that they want to bring it back to a more subtle look the graphics can easily be removed as they are wrapped on. Visit Hi Tec Automotive online at www.hitecauto.com to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us at 415-258-9619 today to schedule your test drive. Vehicle Inquiry for 1975 Porsche 914/6 Message: Thought you might be interested in this 1975 Porsche 914/6. Hi Tec Automotive 779 Andersen Dr. Hi Tec Automotive 779 Andersen Dr., San Rafael, CA 94901 415-258-9619 https://hitecauto.com	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24681
__label__cc	0.742324	0.257676	Cara Fugill The WACE or Western Australian Certificate of Education is administered by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) is determined by the Western Australian Certificate of Education courses a student completes. The VET (Vocational, Education and Training) programme that : ‘…enables students to acquire workplace skills through nationally recognised training described within an industry-developed training package or an accredited course. A VET qualification is issued by an RTO. The achievement of a VET qualification signifies that a student has demonstrated competency against the skills and knowledge required to perform effectively in the workplace.’ Please read our FAQ to find out more about your son will be learning in the ATAR and/or VET pathway. What courses are available in the WACE? ATAR Courses General Courses VET Courses including Certificate II and Certificate IV Courses Endorsed Programmes What do students need to do to achieve the WACE? The literacy and numeracy standard Depth and Breadth (Selecting a range of subjects) The achievement standard How do students meet the literacy and numeracy standard? Students will need to achieve a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy. This can be achieved by demonstrating a Band 8 or higher in the Year 9 NAPLAN or through the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA). If students do not meet the literacy and numeracy standard through OLNA by the time they exit secondary school, they may apply to the Authority to resit the assessment at any age. What is the depth and breadth requirement? Completion of a minimum of 10 courses or the equivalent over the two years. This must include at least: Completion of 20 units (10 courses) over Years 11 and 12 Five courses or the equivalent in Year 12 One course completed in Year 12 from each of List A (arts/language/social sciences) and List B (mathematics/science/technology) Completion of at least four units of English in Years 11 and 12; two Year 11 units and one pair of Year 12 units from an English course What is the achievement standard? Achieve at least seven C grades or higher in Year 11 and Year 12 courses with a minimum of three C grades in Year 12 courses (or equivalents) Completion of at least four Year 12 ATAR courses or a Certificate II or higher in a VET qualification What VET Certificates does Scotch College offer? VET Credit Transfer courses Certificate I in Hospitality Certificate II in Business, Hospitality and Music Certificate IV in Business (Year 12) *Other courses can be arranged on request e.g. Automotive, Sound engineering https://home.scotch.wa.edu.au/courses/pathway/aap/ What is an endorsed programme? A recognised education programme that can contribute to the C grade requirement for WACE. Workplace Learning is an authority‐developed endorsed programme that is managed by individual schools. A student can only use endorsed programmes for two units of equivalence in Year 11 and two units in Year 12. Some students already have endorsed programmes e.g. recreational skippers ticket, Duke of Edinburgh A list is available through the subject selection site https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/endorsed-programs Which courses/subjects can boys study at Scotch College? All course information can be found by clicking here Are there any rules about which subjects a boy can study? Unacceptable: Only one score from the unacceptable combinations can be used in the calculation of the ATAR Mathematics Methods and Mathematics Applications Mathematics Specialist and Mathematics Applications A student may not study more than four units with the same course title. Students must take Methods if they take Specialist Which courses receive a bonus? A 10% bonus will apply to the calculation of the TEA for the following subjects: Mathematics Specialist Mathematics Methods Does the school have a Careers Adviser? Mr Peter Frusher is the College’s Careers Adviser, his contact information can be found on the home page of this site. Peter.Frusher@scotch.wa.edu.au What are the admission requirements for Western Australian Universities? Meet the WACE requirements Achieve competence in English – a scaled mark of above 50 in English or English Literature Obtain a sufficiently high ATAR for entry to a particular university (minimum 70 ATAR) Satisfy any pre-requisites or special requirements necessary to be considered for entry to a particular course Are there alternative ways to gain entry? Certificate IV in Business. See an example here: Portfolio Entry Foundation Programme/Enabling Course TAFE into University How does my son get into TAFE? Entry into TAFE may be based on the following: Any prerequisite WACE courses as prescribed by individual TAFE campuses – generally Mathematics and English A lower level TAFE course required as a prerequisite to a higher level course Workplace experience/part-time employment NOTE: TAFE provides many courses that offer alternative pathways to access university Does the College offer assistance predicting ATARs? The College has developed their own tool that allows students to predict their ATAR score using five years of accumulated Scotch data. There is a strong correlation (0.98) between the boy’s predicted and actual ATAR. The site allows boy’s to select the courses they are studying using their progressive average to calculate an ATAR. In addition the site offers a reliability indicator. ATAR Predictor Can my son change subjects once he commences a pathway? Boys may decide that they need to switch subjects or pathways for any number of reasons. We encourage all boys to take the most rigorous academic pathway for them, and as such are counselled accordingly. If changes need to be made, this is to happen sooner rather than later so that requirements of the new course can be met. The cut-off date for subject changes for Years 11 and 12 is Week 2, Summer Term. How do I guide my son through his subject choices? The College strongly encourages boys to select subjects that engage their passions and interests. This should be informed by skills, talents and aptitude. Each course contains a description of learning, assessment and pre-requisites required from Year 10 study. Time should be spent perusing their course selection site to get an understanding of the breadth of opportunities that are offered at the College. It will be important for you and your son to be aware of pre-requisites for University courses that your son may be interested in studying in the future. Cara.Fugill@scotch.wa.edu.au	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24682
__label__wiki	0.508675	0.508675	Adimpleate – fill up. Leave a Comment » \| language \| Tagged: adimpleate \| Permalink Commission opens consultation on dairy competition review: The Commerce Commission today released a consultation paper outlining its proposed approach, timeframes and scope for its review of the state of competition in the New Zealand dairy industry. Commissioner Dr Stephen Gale said the Commission was now seeking submissions on its proposed approach. “Our review will look at whether the regulations are helping or hindering the efficient operation of the New Zealand dairy industry. To do this we intend to examine how competition has developed since Fonterra was established and what it might look like in the future,” Dr Gale said. . . Te Kuiti farmer appointed to Deer Industry New Zealand board: William Oliver of Te Kuiti has been appointed to the Deer Industry NZ board for a three-year term. One of three candidates for a vacant producer position on the eight-strong board, he was appointed yesterday following interviews by the Deer Farmers Association’s Selection and Appointments Panel. Panel chair Paddy Boyd says a “robust” interview process highlighted the skills of the candidates. “It is very reassuring in terms of governance and succession to have people of William’s calibre standing for the board, especially at a time when Deer Industry NZ has major initiatives underway to build deer farm profitability and to halt the decline in the national herd,” he said. . . Centrus 84 takes out International Innovation Award: Waikato Milking Systems has taken out the International Innovation Award with its Centrus 84 Rotary Platform at Fieldays® 2015. The Centrus 84 is the first fully-composite rotary platform and is 80% lighter than previous platforms and five times stronger. “Sometimes you get a feel for something,” says Executive Manager Dave Cassells. “When I saw the concept drawings for this one, I knew we had something unique. Federated Farmers Fielday Seminar: ‘Precision agriculture’ : Agri Innovation expert, Mark Burgess, has told Federated Farmers seminar at the Mystery Creek Fieldays this morning that automation is king amongst the technology options for farmers. He said that automation is the primary driver for farmers investing in new technologies on-farm whereas technologies that support improved farm management are lagging. “Farmers are at risk of being overwhelmed with more data than they can make use of, however we are beginning to see integration through increasingly sophisticated farm management software, which is removing barriers enabling farmers to use more technology in support of their farm management decisions.” . . . Cow sickness not from genetic modification: Federated Farmers’ President and science spokesperson William Rolleston says recent stock sickness or deaths are likely to have been caused by a high sugar content in the fodder beet they have been eating. “It’s got nothing to do with genetic modification as GE Free New Zealand has speculated. Fodder beet has only recently been brought into widespread use in New Zealand and unfortunately some farmers are still coming to terms with how to best feed it to their stock.” “We know there is a problem with stock feed transition and there is some cautious advice, such as that from Dairy New Zealand, on how to manage feed of fodder beet without complications.” . . Fieldays a pathway into the primary industries – Chris Lewis: Today marked the start of Fieldays, an event I have enjoyed going to since a kid, now I take my two children to experience it. I guess it’s a pathway into the primary industries where you start as a young one looking at all the agriculture equipment, eventually graduating to talking shop with sales reps and renewing relationships with your key suppliers. My children remember the farm servicing people that came on farm to help us and then recognise them again at Fieldays when we talk business. This is how relationships start for generations and good companies recognise this with many businesses I deal with being family owned and generational. . . New partnership to provide enhanced pasture management for farmers: Farmer-owned co-operative LIC has entered into a partnership with Precision Farming Ltd, supplier of GIS-based systems that manage the application of farm nutrients to optimise pasture growth including fertiliser and effluent. The two companies have signed an agreement whereby Precision will share its nutrient management functionality for integration with the co-op’s MINDA farm management system used by more than 90 per cent of NZ dairy farmers. LIC chief executive Wayne McNee said it would provide enhanced information for farmers about their pasture and feed availability. . . KPMG Agribusiness Agenda 2015 highlights the importance of improved rural broadband: Today’s release at NZ National Field Days by TUANZ member, KPMG, of the Agribusiness Agenda 2015 highlights the importance of improving access in the rural sector to high speed broadband. The Agenda notes that since the last release in 2014 there has been an increased priority attached to delivering high speed rural broadband. This year it has risen four places in a list of strategic issues of concern to be the second equal along with food safety. The first issue of concern being ensuring a world-class biosecurity system. Ian Proudfoot, KPMG Global Head of Agribusiness, said that “Fast connectivity in rural areas not only supports economic growth. It enhances healthcare delivery, overcomes isolation, and enables the unemployed to develop skills and become productive.” . . 1 Comment \| business, Farming, food, rural \| Tagged: Centrus 84, Chris Lewis, Commerce Commission, Deer Industry NZ (DINZ), Dr Stephen Gale, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Ian Proudfoot, KPMG Agribusiness Agenda, LIC, Mark Burgess, National Fieldays, Paddy Boyd, Tuanz, Waikato Milking Systems, Wayne McNee, William Oliver \| Permalink Friday’s answers J Bloggs and Teltext posed the questions for which they get my thanks. They earned an electronic batch of caramel square for stumping us all, it can be collected by leaving the answers below. 3 Comments \| diversions \| Permalink Flag of the day The Flag Consideration Panel is inviting people to upload designs for a new flag. There are more than 3000 in the gallery already. Rate The Flag lets you choose between different options. The top three now are: Southern Cross on Black by W. Samuels; A Piece of History by Monico B. Faller, Jr.; and Silver Fern Black and White by Alofi Kanter Southern Cross On Black (#6501) This design incorporates the southern cross in the national colours of black and white. The southern cross is retained in the same position as it is in the current New Zealand flag, with the addition of the fifth star of the constellation for visual balance. A predominantly black flag would be unique on the world stage, bold and extremely identifiable. A Piece Of History 3 (#5032) By just looking at my NZ Flag design, you will remember a piece of history of New Zealand. The fern represents New Zealand. The left side of the fern represents the North Island and the nine leaves represent the nine Regions of the North Island namely, Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkeâ€™s Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, and Wellington. The right side of the fern represents the South Island and the seven leaves represent the seven Regions of the South Island namely, Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. The five stars of the Southern Cross represent the first five cities of New Zealand under the Municipal Corporations Act 1876 namely, Dunedin (1865), Christchurch (1868), Wellington (1870), Auckland (1871) and Nelson (1874). The blue colour symbolises the sky, pacific sea, peace and serenity. The white colour symbolises purity and cleanliness. The green colour symbolises the nature, trees, forests, grass, etc. Silver Fern Black & White (#9991) Just the Silver Fern. Black and white. On a flag 1:2. Saying loud and clear: New Zealand. The concept is similar to that of Kyle Lockwood. This design is simple and pure, without added stars, using the national colour instead of traditional ones. 1 Comment \| flag \| Tagged: Alofi Kanter, Flag Consideration Panel, Monico B. Faller, Rate the Flag, W. Samuels \| Permalink ‘Choice’ between sustainability and prosperity false dichotomy The ‘choice’ between sustainability and prosperity is a false dichotomy, Treasury secretary Gabriel Makhlouf said in a speech at the Fieldays. There is a lot more in the speech, entitled Making Informed Decisions about our Natural Resources, which I am reproducing in full: Hello, it’s a pleasure to be here with so many people who help our primary sector to thrive. We live in a remarkable country, one that’s rich in natural beauty and wealthy in natural resources. New Zealand has plentiful, fresh water; clean air; fertile soil and a climate well-suited to growing things. We have long coastlines and significant aquaculture resources; sizeable mineral and petroleum reserves; and extraordinary bio-diversity. The World Bank estimates that New Zealand ranks eighth out of 120 countries and second out of the 34 OECD countries in natural capital per capita, which helps explain why three-quarters of our merchandise exports are from the primary sector. While primary sector exports may have dipped over the past year, steady growth is expected in the four years ahead. Of course a big part of those exports come from the dairy industry, and I know there’s concern about the direction dairy prices have been heading recently. The Treasury’s base forecast in last month’s Budget is for dairy prices to recover towards the long-term levels forecast by the OECD-FAO of around US$3,900 per metric ton towards the end of 2016 as supply and demand become more balanced. But like dairy farmers everywhere in New Zealand the Treasury is closely watching the fortnightly auctions and monitoring developments. We are fortunate to make our living off the land in a land worth living in. But we cannot be complacent if we want things to stay that way. We’re not pristine, and we can do better. New Zealanders have to make well-informed choices about how we conserve, use and manage our natural resources for the greatest overall benefit to society now and into the future. Today I want to talk about choice. I want to challenge some false ‘choices’; expose a few choices that we are denied by the systems we have created; and highlight the fact that more informed public debate can deliver us a system with more choice in it. For a long time discussions over natural resources have been dominated by false dichotomies. A key example is the supposed ‘choice’ between sustainability and prosperity. It’s nonsense to believe you have to pick one or the other and can’t achieve both. A more prosperous economy creates higher incomes and jobs for New Zealanders. Higher incomes are linked to better outcomes across a range of economic, social, and indeed environmental measures that matter for living standards. And the Treasury knows that economic performance is not just about prosperity today; it’s also about prosperity tomorrow and the future prosperity of our children. Sustainable growth depends upon good management of our environment and natural resources, and the productivity with which we use these resources. Sustainability and prosperity are interconnected in the Treasury’s wider view of wellbeing and are encapsulated in our Living Standards Framework. This identifies five ‘dimensions’ which we seek to advance when developing policy: sustainability; equity; social infrastructure; risk management; and of course economic growth. When wellbeing is understood in this broader sense, the assumption that there’s immutable conflict between prosperity and sustainability just doesn’t stack up. Norway is a good example of a country that has grown wealthy from its natural resources – in its case oil and gas – while playing a pioneering role in environmental protection and sustainable development. As the OECD notes, the Norwegians have simplified their regulatory procedures related to environmental permits and reduced the administrative burdens people face. Enforcement is risk based and better targeted. Closer to home, many Māori-led businesses are demonstrating how prosperity and sustainability work together by embracing the concept of kaitiakitanga. They take a very long-term view and manage their assets in a way that meets their aspirations for people, the land, rivers and the sea. Last year a group from the Treasury visited Parininihi ki Waitotara or PKW, a company based in Taranaki who run a number of businesses in the primary sector. PKW are combining successful dairy farming with sustainable practices: protecting waterways, carefully managing nutrients, and even using solar energy to power their cowsheds. The falseness of the ‘choice’ between prosperity and sustainability is being shown up not just by countries and companies, but by consumers too. The premium on ethical, sustainably produced, healthy goods continues to rise. Interest in working practices and supply chains means that companies have to be able to clearly demonstrate their sustainability credentials. It’s also clear that productivity and sustainability are converging in ways not seen before. For example, in recent years we have seen irrigation infrastructure, originally installed to boost farming productivity, helping to alleviate further pressure on struggling river and stream ecosystems. Central Plains Water scheme in central Canterbury is currently under construction, and will from September this year relieve climatic and allocation pressures on groundwater and lowland streams around environmentally and culturally important Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora. The Opuha dam was able to keep streams flowing in South Canterbury during this year’s drought, which would otherwise have stranded fish. The small Eiffelton scheme in mid-Canterbury pumps groundwater into ecologically important streams that would also have stopped flowing last summer without it. This leads me to the second false ‘choice’ I want to shed light on – between high technology and our primary industries. Through companies specialising in precision agriculture, such as Varigate, Agroptics and others, New Zealand’s world-leading tech is both increasing productivity and serving environmental outcomes. By mapping soil characteristics, tailoring the use of irrigation, fertiliser and other inputs to match, and ensuring accurate spatial delivery, the use of inputs can be reduced. This results in savings of energy, time and inputs, while pasture and crop yields increase and less nutrients are lost to the environment, leading to better water quality in our rivers and groundwater. Progress in GIS technology and nutrient management data is enabling farmers to understand their farms in new ways. This is delivering environmental improvements and driving the best increases in productivity in the whole economy. Another false ‘choice’ is between protection and use of natural resources. As a country, we protect around a third of our land area for conservation, but the mountains and forests making up most of this area are used as a playground by our people. They’re also a workplace for some of the 166,000 people employed in tourism industry; an industry that relies on us continuing to protect our outstanding natural beauty. Instead of accepting these false ‘choices’ we have an opportunity to focus on ensuring our system gives us the freedom to make the choices we actually want. One example is in the space of bio-technology. I am not going to get into the question of genetic modification specifically. What I will say is that when new technologies come along – both GM and non-GM – our current system denies us the choice over whether we want them. Meanwhile, our international competitors do have this option. There is, for example, a new variety of high-yielding eucalyptus tree which has just been approved for cultivation in Brazil. Using this variety, growers can get a 15 percent increase in wood for the same area, processors can get a 20 percent reduction in the cost of wood production, and the environment benefits from a 12 percent increase in the amount of carbon dioxide stored per hectare. High-yielding wood is at the core of our pulp and paper industry. However our current regime for regulating new organisms is highly restrictive in practice, which means we do not have the flexibility to choose whether this is something we would want in New Zealand. I’ve heard it said that our current regulatory regime would deny us the choice to adopt many new plants and species that today offer us huge advantages: kiwifruit, rye grass, and even the ubiquitous pinus radiata. Another example of a choice we are currently denied is found in our approach to risk. This is particularly important when we consider the potential to sustainably use the resources contained in our precious marine environments. I am not going to stand here and tell you that New Zealand does not take enough risk. That is for the country, through elected representatives, to decide. The point I want to make is that we often deny ourselves the choice over how much risk we want to take. When systems adopt rigid approaches to risk, for example, rather than genuinely enabling adaptive management approaches, we limit our ability to explore and assess the potential risks of our actions. Another restriction on our choice comes when we have inefficient systems. In these instances we deny ourselves the chance to decide, clearly and efficiently, how we want to manage our resources. From an economist’s point of view, a resource management system like ours is intended to reduce the costs of allocating resources, account for factors which market forces don’t value, and manage collective action problems – including intergenerational fairness. Our current system could be better on all of these fronts. As we saw with the establishment of the Kaikoura marine protected areas, the transaction costs of making decisions on how to manage our resources can be extremely high. Many of our resource management systems come in for regular criticism, although it’s often directed at how the decisions are made rather than the decisions themselves. And our limited framework for valuing natural capital and ecosystem services often prevents us from understanding how much they are really worth to us. It also means weighing public benefits against the gains to be made from resource use is hard for decision makers. But it’s not all doom and gloom. We are starting to reclaim some of these choices. A number of Government departments are working together to assess the feasibility and benefits of more systemically gathering natural capital information to feed into decision-making. Appropriately considering the impacts on natural capital, such as clean water, soil or habitat for threatened species, will allow us to make better, more balanced decisions. The Government’s resource management reforms aim to provide greater certainty for communities to plan for, and meet, their area’s needs in a way that reduces costs and delays, while maintaining the environmental standards that are important to them. Freshwater policy is another area where we are reclaiming choice. Here, communities are able to debate the value of public goods; public discussion is exposing and trading-off risks; and collaboration through the Land and Water Forum continues to help create a management system which is responsive to the goals of users. But there is a price for moves to systems such as this, which give us the choices we really want. The quality of information and the level of public debate must be raised. This is something for which all parties must share responsibility. Government doubtless has a role here. The work to develop a Māori Land service is one example. Here the Crown is providing the information and support that Māori landowners need to assess the different choices available to them from their land. This in turn exposes the true value to Māori of systems which allow us to choose how our resources are managed. However, businesses and industry sectors must play also play a part in setting the conditions for a more informed debate. On the issue of climate change, for example, the agriculture sector has the opportunity to contribute to the public debate about New Zealand’s future emissions targets, and options for meeting these targets. It is important that we focus on what the science tells us. As the IPCC told us last year, carbon dioxide emissions fundamentally drive long-term global warming. Methane has a larger impact initially, but its effect is only short lived. This clearly has little impact on most other developed countries whose emissions consist mainly of carbon dioxide, but it makes a huge difference for New Zealand because of our high agricultural emissions. New Zealand has invested heavily in finding ways to mitigate the effects of biological emissions, though commercialisation is still some way away. So science clearly plays an important role in helping us work out how we can have the greatest impact in reducing emissions. And it has an important part to play in informing the public, in helping us avoid false dichotomies and giving us greater choices to enable living standards to continue to rise for generations to come. And as part of this, the business community has the opportunity to explain how its actions contribute to increases in all areas of wellbeing. I, for one, look forward to working together to make these challenging, but ultimately vital, choices about the future of our natural resources, the prosperity of our country and the living standards of New Zealanders. Sustainability and prosperity aren’t mutually exclusive. Furthermore,unless we want to return to subsistence living, which may or may not be environmentally sustainable but certainly isn’t socially and economically sustainable, prosperity is essential for sustainability. That doesn’t mean that prosperity should be at the cost of the environment or people. The challenge is to balance economic, environmental and social considerations. Leave a Comment » \| business, economy, environment, Farming, food, politics, rural, trade \| Tagged: Gabriel Makhlouf, National Agricultural Fieldays \| Permalink Open markets offer the only realistic hope of pulling billions of people in developing countries out of abject poverty, while sustaining prosperity in the industrialized world. – Kofi Annan 1 Comment \| quotes \| Tagged: Kofi Annan \| Permalink June 12 in history 1381 Peasants’ Revolt: in England, rebels arrived at Blackheath. 1418 An insurrection delivered Paris to the Burgundians. 1429 Hundred Years’ War: Joan of Arc led the French army in their capture of the city and the English commander, William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk in the second day of the Battle of Jargeau. 1560 Battle of Okehazama: Oda Nobunaga defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto. 1653 First Anglo-Dutch War: the Battle of the Gabbard began. 1665 England installed a municipal government in New York City. 1758 French and Indian War: Siege of Louisbourg – James Wolfe‘s attack at Louisbourg, Nova Scotia commenced. 1775 American Revolution: British general Thomas Gage declared martial law in Massachusetts. The British offer a pardon to all colonists who lay down their arms with two exceptions: Samuel Adams and John Hancock, if captured, were to be hanged. 1776 The Virginia Declaration of Rights was adopted. 1798 Irish Rebellion of 1798: Battle of Ballynahinch. 1802 Harriet Martineau, journalist, political economist, abolitionist and feminist, was born (d. 1876). 1806 John A. Roebling, German-America civil engineer (Brooklyn Bridge), was born (d. 1869). 1819 Charles Kingsley, English writer, was born (d. 1875). 1827 Johanna Spyri, Swiss writer, was born (d. 1901). 1830 Beginning of the French colonization of Algeria: 34,000 French soldiers landed at Sidi Ferruch. 1860 The State Bank of the Russian Empire was established. 1864 American Civil War, Overland Campaign: Battle of Cold Harbor – Ulysses S. Grant gave the Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee a victory when he pulled his Union troops from their positions at Cold Harbor, Virginia and moved south. 1889 – 78 people were killed in the Armagh rail disaster. 1897 Anthony Eden, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, was born (d. 1977). 1898 Philippine Declaration of Independence: General Emilio Aguinaldo declared the Philippines’ independence from Spain. 1899 New Richmond Tornado killed 117 people and injured around 200. 1915 David Rockefeller, American banker, was born. 1922 King George V received the colours of the six Irish regiments that were to be disbanded – the Royal Irish Regiment, the Connaught Rangers, the South Irish Horse, the Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment, the Royal Munster Fusiliers and the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 1924 George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States, was born. 1929 Anne Frank, German-born Dutch Jewish diarist and Holocaust victim, was born (d. 1945). 1935 Chaco War ended: a truce was called between Bolivia and Paraguay. 1938 Tom Oliver, Australian actor, was born. 1939 Shooting begins on Paramount Pictures’ Dr. Cyclops, the first horror film photographed in three-strip Technicolor. 1939 The Baseball Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown, New York. 1940 World War II: 13,000 British and French troops surrendered to Major General Erwin Rommel at Saint-Valery-en-Caux. 1942 The first troops from the USA landed in Auckland. 1942 Anne Frank received a diary for her thirteenth birthday. 1943 Reg Presley, English singer/songwriter (The Troggs), was born. 1943 Germany liquidated the Jewish Ghetto in Berezhany, western Ukraine. 1,180 are lpeople were led to the city’s old Jewish graveyard and shot. 1952 Pete Farndon, English musician (The Pretenders), was born (d. 1983). 1963 Civil rights leader Medgar Evers was murdered by Ku Klux Klan member Byron De La Beckwith. 1964 Anti-apartheid activist and ANC leader Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison for sabotage in South Africa. 1967 The United States Supreme Court in Loving v. Virginia declared all U.S. state laws which prohibited interracial marriage to be unconstitutional. 1967 Venera 4 was launched. 1979 Bryan Allen won the second Kremer prize for a man powered flight across the English Channel in the Gossamer Albatross. 1987 The Central African Republic‘s former Emperor Jean-Bédel Bokassa was sentenced to death for crimes he had committed during his 13-year rule. 1987 Cold War: At the Brandenburg Gate U.S. President Ronald Reagan publicly challenged Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. 1990 Russia Day – the parliament of the Russian Federation formally declared its sovereignty. 1991 Russians elected Boris Yeltsin as the president of the republic. 1991 – Kokkadichcholai massacre: the Sri Lankan Army massacred 152 minority Tamil civilians in the village Kokkadichcholai. 1994 Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were murdered outside her home in Los Angeles. 1996 In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a panel of federal judges blocked a law against indecency on the internet. 1997 Queen Elizabeth II reopened the Globe Theatre in London. 1999 Kosovo War: Operation Joint Guardian began when a NATO-led United Nations peacekeeping force (KFor) entered the province of Kosovo. 2000 Sandro Rosa do Nascimento took hostages while robbing Bus #174 in Rio de Janeiro. 2004 A 1.3 kilogram chondrite type meteorite struck a house in Ellerslie causing serious damage but no injuries. 2009 – A disputed presidential election in Iran leads to wide ranging protests in Iran and around the world. Leave a Comment » \| history \| Tagged: Anne Frank, Anthony Eden, Charles Kingsley, David Rockefeller, George H. W. Bush, Harriet Martineau, Johanna Spyri, John A. Roebling, June 12, Pete Farndon, Reg Presley \| Permalink You are currently browsing the Homepaddock blog archives for the day Friday, June 12th, 2015. The Original Series: Burke’s Law – S01 E03 – Gene Barry Are @Greens right about coal?	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24686
__label__wiki	0.615563	0.615563	TG study on the chlorination reactivities of aluminas of salt hydrate origin I. S. Pap, Yu A. Lajner, I. Bertóti, G. Mink, T. Székely Alumina samples were produced by the thermal decomposition of hydrates of aluminium sulphate, nitrate and chloride. The kinetics of the chlorination were studied by means of isothermal TG measurements, using COCl2 as chlorinating agent. Apparent activation energies were determined in the temperature ranges where the reaction was controlled by chemical processes. The reaction rates related to unit surface area were similar for all the samples, and the isothermal TG curves could be described by the models of contracting cylinders and spheres. Below 700 K, however, the initial rates for samples prepared from AlCl3·6H2O were of an accelerating character, resembling an autocatalytic process. After this stage, the reaction rates stabilized at extremely high level as compared with the samples of other origins. Journal of Thermal Analysis chlorination Hydrates aluminum oxides Pyrolysis thermal decomposition Chemical Engineering(all) Pap, I. S., Lajner, Y. A., Bertóti, I., Mink, G., & Székely, T. (1988). TG study on the chlorination reactivities of aluminas of salt hydrate origin. Journal of Thermal Analysis, 33(3), 567-573. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02138556 TG study on the chlorination reactivities of aluminas of salt hydrate origin. / Pap, I. S.; Lajner, Yu A.; Bertóti, I.; Mink, G.; Székely, T. In: Journal of Thermal Analysis, Vol. 33, No. 3, 09.1988, p. 567-573. Pap, IS, Lajner, YA, Bertóti, I, Mink, G & Székely, T 1988, 'TG study on the chlorination reactivities of aluminas of salt hydrate origin', Journal of Thermal Analysis, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 567-573. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02138556 Pap IS, Lajner YA, Bertóti I, Mink G, Székely T. TG study on the chlorination reactivities of aluminas of salt hydrate origin. Journal of Thermal Analysis. 1988 Sep;33(3):567-573. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02138556 Pap, I. S. ; Lajner, Yu A. ; Bertóti, I. ; Mink, G. ; Székely, T. / TG study on the chlorination reactivities of aluminas of salt hydrate origin. In: Journal of Thermal Analysis. 1988 ; Vol. 33, No. 3. pp. 567-573. @article{981f23d5f98a4145ad48cbbab6787f17, title = "TG study on the chlorination reactivities of aluminas of salt hydrate origin", abstract = "Alumina samples were produced by the thermal decomposition of hydrates of aluminium sulphate, nitrate and chloride. The kinetics of the chlorination were studied by means of isothermal TG measurements, using COCl2 as chlorinating agent. Apparent activation energies were determined in the temperature ranges where the reaction was controlled by chemical processes. The reaction rates related to unit surface area were similar for all the samples, and the isothermal TG curves could be described by the models of contracting cylinders and spheres. Below 700 K, however, the initial rates for samples prepared from AlCl3·6H2O were of an accelerating character, resembling an autocatalytic process. After this stage, the reaction rates stabilized at extremely high level as compared with the samples of other origins.", author = "Pap, {I. S.} and Lajner, {Yu A.} and I. Bert{\'o}ti and G. Mink and T. Sz{\'e}kely", journal = "Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry", T1 - TG study on the chlorination reactivities of aluminas of salt hydrate origin AU - Pap, I. S. AU - Lajner, Yu A. AU - Bertóti, I. AU - Mink, G. AU - Székely, T. N2 - Alumina samples were produced by the thermal decomposition of hydrates of aluminium sulphate, nitrate and chloride. The kinetics of the chlorination were studied by means of isothermal TG measurements, using COCl2 as chlorinating agent. Apparent activation energies were determined in the temperature ranges where the reaction was controlled by chemical processes. The reaction rates related to unit surface area were similar for all the samples, and the isothermal TG curves could be described by the models of contracting cylinders and spheres. Below 700 K, however, the initial rates for samples prepared from AlCl3·6H2O were of an accelerating character, resembling an autocatalytic process. After this stage, the reaction rates stabilized at extremely high level as compared with the samples of other origins. AB - Alumina samples were produced by the thermal decomposition of hydrates of aluminium sulphate, nitrate and chloride. The kinetics of the chlorination were studied by means of isothermal TG measurements, using COCl2 as chlorinating agent. Apparent activation energies were determined in the temperature ranges where the reaction was controlled by chemical processes. The reaction rates related to unit surface area were similar for all the samples, and the isothermal TG curves could be described by the models of contracting cylinders and spheres. Below 700 K, however, the initial rates for samples prepared from AlCl3·6H2O were of an accelerating character, resembling an autocatalytic process. After this stage, the reaction rates stabilized at extremely high level as compared with the samples of other origins. JO - Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry JF - Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24693
__label__cc	0.532292	0.467708	Addressing Extremism and Militarism Women at the Peace Table Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership Global Solutions Exchange Better Peace Initiative Innovative Peace Fund ICAN’s Annual Forum What the Women Say Policy Briefs PVE Thematic Reports WPS External Resources Our Theory Of Change Our Updates ICAN in the News Join ICAN “We have had 15 years with counter-terrorism policies in place, but no results” Woman peace activist ICAN has become a recognized actor in the international P/CVE space with its particular attention to women-led local civil society organizations and gendered approaches to addressing extremism. From a policy standpoint, our work is firmly situated in the women, peace and security agenda with attention to women’s leadership and agency. We view extremism as inherently gendered (as it relates to women and men). It is also directly relevant to women’s rights, peace and security, because the co-option, coercion or control of women is integral to the ideology of extremist movements, hence the deliberate targeting of women who dare to stand up and speak out against these ideologies and lead efforts to prevent and counter the spread of extremism. “Neither countering nor preventing violent extremism or conflict is enough. The international community must articulate and act by values and principles that promote positive peace, dignity, rights, and pluralism in practical ways.” Our work is evolving and is organized around five broad activity areas and related structures that we have created: 1. Networking – The Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL), which provides a platform for our outreach and engagement with independent women-led organizations working on a range of issues pertaining to P/CVE in countries affected by extremism, crises and militarism. 2. Analysis – The What the Women Say gendered political and security country report, thematic briefs and working papers, which are developed based on consultations with our partners who provide the expertise and experience of practice, as well as academic scholars and international experts. These briefs inform our advocacy and are the basis for discussions in the GSX working groups. 3. Advocacy/Influence – The Global Solutions Exchange (GSX), which is a platform launched in partnership with the Norwegian government, for enabling systematic and structured engagement between WASL (and other civil society actors including the Global Center for Security Cooperation) and governmental and multilateral entities responsible for peace, security and P/CVE, and related media and public events work 4. Funding – The Innovative Peace Fund (IPF) enables ICAN to provide grants to partners based on a participatory process of project design and related to P/CVE in areas that our partners have defined as being relevant to the agenda. The principles driving our approach to the IPF are that we trust our partners assessment of needs and invest in their judgment. In return they trust us, as we offer strategic support and guidance to innovate and test new approaches. As a result, the projects funded are informed by the participatory process, but fully owned and led by our partners. 5. Partner Support – Technical assistance to partners, which includes institutional, professional and personal capacity building, and providing opportunities for collaboration, regional and peer-to-peer learning and solidarity. Women Alliance for Security Leadership “We invite the global community to walk alongside us in our efforts to counter the rising tide of extremism. ” Share Our Stories info@icanpeacework.org media@icanpeacework.org Suite 524, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036 Copyright 2017 - ICAN	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24695
__label__wiki	0.913939	0.913939	JUNGLE QUEENS, INC. Engineering District : Jacksonville** TSO Series Number : TS-5 Transportation Lines on the Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Coasts Principal Commodity List : PASSENGERS Area of Operation : PORT EVERGLADES HARBOR AND NEW RIVER, FL & INTRACOASTAL WATERWAYS Passenger : 1 Vessels List : JUNGLE QUEEN IV 2470 SW 21ST STREET FT. LAUDERDALE FL 33312 Managed Vessel JUNGLE QUEEN IV Related News [JUNGLE QUEENS, INC.] AAM launches 77-ft. RV for Duke University All American Marine, Inc. (AAM) completed construction and launched an aluminum research and survey vessel for Duke University. The Duke University Marine Lab (DUML) is a hydrofoil-assisted catamaran from Teknicraft Design. Measuring 77 x 26.5 ft. the vessel is based on a pair of successful Teknicraft Design vessels AAM built for NOAA. Crowley Orders New ATB for Enhanced AK Service Crowley Fuels has signed construction contracts to build a 55,000-barrel, articulated tug-barge (ATB) that is specifically designed to serve the Western Alaska market with delivery of clean fuel products.The 410-foot ATB will have enhanced performance features for the demanding river and sea conditions of Western Alaska Shipbuilding Interview: Ron Baczkowski, VT Halter VT Halter in Pascagoula, MS has been on a strong run, capped by its winning the high-profile contract to build the U.S. Coast Guard’s next generation of icebreakers. Maritime Reporter recently spoke with Ron Baczkowski, President and CEO, VT Halter Marine, for insights on the shipyard’s recent success and future prospects. Seacor to Acquire JV Partner's Sea-Vista Stake Seacor Holdings Announces Acquisition of Joint Venture Partner’s Interest in Sea-Vista.SEACOR Holdings Inc. announced that it has become the sole owner of its consolidated SEA-Vista joint venture, acquiring through a subsidiary the 49% interest that had been owned by an affiliate of Avista Capital Partners (the “Seller”). US Gulf Production Restarting After Barry U.S. oil companies on Monday began restoring some of the more than nearly 74% production shut at U.S. Gulf of Mexico platforms ahead of Hurricane Barry, the U.S. offshore drilling regulator said.There was 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil production off line in the U.S.-regulated areas of the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, about 80,000 barrels less than on Sunday, according to the U.S. VT Halter Wins U.S. Navy 'Champ' Contract VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of ST Engineering North America, has won a contract worth nearly $2.9 million by the Naval Sea Systems Command.VT Halter Marine was one of four U.S.-based companies awarded a contract under the Common Hull Auxiliary Mission Platform – called CHAMP. VT Halter Marine’s contract win is $2,899,252. Tsuneishi Wins First Order for TESS42 Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co, ship repair and manufacturing company in Japan, has received its first order from a shipowner in Japan for several 42,000-metric-ton log and bulk carriers Tsuneishi Economical Standard Ship (TESS) 42.The newly developed TESS42 follows the design concept of the TESS38 while improving transportation efficiency, with deadweight capacity increased by approximately 2 MarAd Grants Fuel U.S. Shipyard Growth The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $19.6 million in grants to support capital improvements at 28 U.S. small shipyards as a part of its Small Shipyard Grant program. The grants enable small shipyards to modernize equipment and processes to fuel future growth. Glosten Design for All-Electric Ferry First Alabama's historic Gee's Bend Ferry recently entered service after being converted from geared-diesel to become the first zero-emission, electric-powered passenger/car ferry in the United States. Owned by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and operated by HMS Ferries, the 15-vehicle/132-passenger ferry runs on the Alabama River between Camden and Boykin, AL. Progress in Brazil Repair Yard Project The Brasil Basin Drydock Company (BBDC), a joint venture of McQuilling Services and Promon Engenharia, is setting up an industrial facility that will drydock and repair seagoing merchant vessels up to the largest merchant ships in the world.McQuilling announced the signing of a Protocol of Intention with the government of the state of Paraíba, Brazil, along with Chinese ship repair yard IMC YY. Belships Adds Supramax Bulker to Fleet Norway-based bulk ship operator and management company Belships has signed an agreement to acquire a 58,700 dwt bulk carrier from Wenaas Shipping AS.The vessel was built at Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc. in the Philippines in 2008, informed a press note from the dry bulk owner.The agreed purchase price is USD 13.0 million, of which half will be paid in cash. Moda Midstream Eyes Second TX VLCC Berth Moda Midstream LLC is considering building a second berth at its Ingleside, Texas, crude export terminal to accommodate booming shale oil production on the Gulf Coast, the company's chief executive said on Thursday.The expansion to the terminal that loads oil tankers will come as three major pipelines open in the second half of 2019, CEO Bo McCall said in an interview.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24696
__label__cc	0.672378	0.327622	Category Archives: Israel Opinion \| Why I Like Mike – By Thomas L. Friedman – The New York Times Posted on November 14, 2019 by David Lindsay Jr Michael Bloomberg in Little Rock, Ark., where he added his name to the Democratic primary ballot on Tuesday.Credit…Christopher Aluka Berry/Reuters “I have a pet theory about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — that it is to wider trends in world affairs what Off Broadway is to Broadway. A lot of stuff seems to get perfected there in miniature — from airline hijackings to suicide bombings, from building walls to keep others out to lone wolf terrorism — and then moves to Broadway, to bigger stages. So, I ask, what’s playing off Broadway these days? It’s a political drama that may offer a distant mirror on our own presidential politics. Israel has held two national elections since April, but the country is so perfectly divided that it still hasn’t been able to produce a governing coalition. There are three trends worth noting, though, after these two Israeli elections — especially if you’re President Trump. First, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu deployed openly racist tropes against Israeli Arabs to motivate his own hard-right base to get out and vote. Israeli Arabs finally had enough and basically said to Bibi: “You talking to us?’’ And in the second election in September they voted in huge numbers and created the third-largest party in Israel, weakening Netanyahu’s ability to form a new government. You never know whom you’re arousing when you start using dog whistles. Just sayin’, Mr. Trump.” “. . .It was “billionaire’’ Bloomberg who funded the most radical and progressive green agenda of this era. “Bloomberg’s Beyond Coal partnership with the Sierra Club broke the mold for environmental philanthropy,’’ notes Carl Pope, former head of the Sierra Club and now a partner with Bloomberg on Beyond Coal. “In 2010, 500 coal plants provided half of America’s power, at the price of more than 10,000 lives, staggering volumes of water pollution, and one third of total carbon dioxide emissions. The Sierra Club pitched Bloomberg that they could shut down a third of those plants with a three-year campaign, using grass roots community mobilization and aggressive regulatory interventions.” Attracted by the combination of lives saved and climate impact, Pope added, “Bloomberg ponied up. Now, nine years and several renewals later, coal provides only a quarter of U.S. power, and retirements of more than half those coal plants have been secured. These retirements are largely responsible for U.S. climate progress over the last decade.’’ The steady fall in the price of gas and renewables was critical in undermining coal, “but Bloomberg’s $500 million for climate mitigation projects was also critical — as was his insistence that the green group, while using its own tool kit, measure its results rigorously.’’ Posted in Israel, Presidential Politics, Thomas Friedman \| Tagged By Thomas L. Friedman, Why I Like Mike \| Leave a reply Opinion \| The Oslo Accords’ Last Remnants Are Under Fire. Don’t Let Them Die. – By Michael J. Koplow – The New York Times Posted on September 16, 2019 by David Lindsay Jr By Michael J. Koplow Dr. Koplow is an advocate for a viable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Israeli security forces tearing down Palestinian buildings in the Wadi al-Hummus area adjacent to the Palestinian village of Sur Baher, East Jerusalem in July.CreditCreditHazem Bader/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images “Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to immediately annex the West Bank’s Jordan Valley after Israel’s election on Sept. 17, should he emerge victorious. He further pledged to apply sovereignty to Israel’s settlements throughout the West Bank after President Trump unveils his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative. But Mr. Netanyahu’s fortunes and Mr. Trump’s plan may not matter. Under the radar, the Israelis and Palestinians have already set ominous precedents in administering their divided territories that will be extremely difficult to back away from and promise an incendiary environment for any talks about a lasting peace. In short, the longstanding rules of temporary side-by-side coexistence in the West Bank, as set out under the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, are already being violated, and bit by bit both sides are taking steps that would nullify the remaining vestiges of the accords. If that trend continues, what is shaping events on the ground now may render any type of future division impossible. Here is the problem: Oslo created clear lines of administrative control in the West Bank for Israel and the Palestinians by dividing the territory into distinct zones in which each side is responsible for day-to-day governing. Areas A and B are under Palestinian Authority administrative control, and Area C is under Israeli administrative control. While there have been numerous and continuing violations by both sides when it comes to security responsibility, that has not been the case with administrative responsibility. Until recently, Israel exercised its administrative control of Area C without attempting to extend its administrative reach into Areas A and B, while the Palestinian Authority ran Areas A and B with respect for Israel’s monopoly on governing Area C.” David Lindsay Jr. Hamden, CT \| Comment at the NYT Thank you Michael J. Koplow for this disturbing report. Ever since reading “Exodus” by Leon Uris as a teenager, I have been a supporter of Israel. But over decades, the picture has slowly changed, and the victims have become the victimizers. It is time for the US to stop its $3 Billion subsidy to Israel, or explain what clear purpose it serves. My heart goes out to both sides, but the Palestinians, despite their faults, deserve a place to live. David Lindsay Jr. is the author of “The Tay Son Rebellion” and blogs at InconvenientNews.net. Posted in David Lindsay, Israel, Palestine \| Tagged By Michael J. Koplow, Don't Let the Oslo Accords Die, The Oslo Accords \| Leave a reply Opinion \| Can This Man Oust Netanyahu? – By Bari Weiss – The New York Times “. . . . Mr. Lapid is aware of this. “Security will be the first demand every Israeli in his right mind will talk to you about,” he told me. “There several issues in which the majority of Israelis — 70 to 80 percent — think approximately the same,” he said. “We are all students of the disengagement of 2005, in which Israel did what the world asked us to do. We left Gaza. We dismantled the settlements. And I supported it at the time. But you know what? It was a mistake, doing it unilaterally. The only thing that happened is that less than a year later they voted Hamas into power. We left them with 3,000 greenhouses for them to build an economy and instead they built training camps” for jihadis. So where does that leave the West Bank? Can the occupation go on indefinitely? He paused. “It’s a very American question.” Because Americans think “everything is fixable.” “Really, really wanting something or desiring something strongly is just not enough,” he said. “I’m not willing to see one Jew die because someone took an unnecessary risk in the name of values I really cherish. Like peace, like humanity, like people’s need for self-recognition.” “ via Opinion \| Can This Man Oust Netanyahu? – The New York Times Posted in Israel, Palestine, Uncategorized \| Tagged By Bari Weiss, Can This Man Oust Netanyahu? \| Leave a reply Opinion \| Ilhan Omar- Aipac and Me – By Thomas L. Friedman – The New York Times Posted on March 7, 2019 by David Lindsay Jr March 6, 2011248 c Representative Ilhan Omar, Democrat of Minnesota, on Capitol Hill in January. Jim Watson/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images “I’ve been watching with more than a little interest the controversial statements about Israel and the Israel lobby by Ilhan Omar, a freshman Democratic congresswoman from the Fifth District of Minnesota, because it turns out that we have a lot in common — up to a point. The first thing we have in common is that I was raised in the Fifth District of Minnesota, specifically the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park. I lived there until I was 20. It was a freaky place — a crazy mix of Minnesota Jews (we called ourselves “the Frozen Chosen’’) and Scandinavians that produced a uniquely tolerant civic culture and an interesting group of neighbors: Al Franken, the Coen brothers, Peggy Orenstein, Norm Ornstein, Michael Sandel, Sharon Isbin, Marc Trestman and lots of others you can find on the St. Louis Park Wikipedia page. Our little town was immortalized in the Coen brothers’ 2009 movie “A Serious Man.’’ I still feel very close to the community there and go home often. St. Louis Park welcomed Jews who wanted to get out of the inner city of Minneapolis back in the 1950s — when other suburbs still had restrictions on selling homes to “Hebrews.’’ So I was proud to see St. Louis Park also welcome Muslim Somali refugees like Omar a half-century later, and then elect her to Congress. The other thing that Omar and I have in common, as others have noted, is that we both don’t like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) — the organization at the center of the Israel lobby — and have spoken in very blunt language about its strong-arm political tactics.” via Opinion \| Ilhan Omar, Aipac and Me – The New York Times Posted in Israel, Middle East, Palestine, Thomas Friedman, Uncategorized \| Tagged By Thomas L. Friedman, Ilhan Omar- Aipac and Me \| Leave a reply Opinion \| The Broken Pieces of Middle East Peace – by Thomas Friedman – The New York Times . .. . An agreement by the Palestinians and America’s Arab allies on their minimum foundations for negotiations, adds Ross, gives Palestinians cover to come back to the table and puts pressure on the Trump team to deliver a credible plan or be exposed as not being serious. And “it gives Israel a partner and some fateful choices to make.” Say what you will about Anwar el-Sadat and Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter 40 years ago, but they came to a point at Camp David where there were only hard choices — and they made them, and they made the right ones. President Jimmy Carter hosted the Egyptian president, Anwar el-Sadat, left, and the Israeli prime minister, Menachem Begin, right, at the White House in September 1978.CreditAssociated Press We’re again at a fateful moment. For the Palestinians, it’s choose nihilism or pacifism. For Israel, it’s choose separation from the Palestinians or get bi-nationalism or apartheid. For Jared and Donald, it’s either be serious — and be ready to take a tough stance with all parties, including Israel — or stay home. Making progress toward peace requires telling everyone the truth, twisting everyone’s arms and not letting any party drive drunk. Not ready for that? Then stick to building condos and golf courses. via Opinion \| The Broken Pieces of Middle East Peace – The New York Times Posted in Israel, Middle East, Palestine, Uncategorized \| Tagged by Thomas Friedman, The Broken Pieces of Middle East Peace \| Leave a reply Opinion \| Hamas- Netanyahu and Mother Nature – by Thomas Friedman – NYT Posted on May 23, 2018 by David Lindsay Jr Princess Diana once famously observed that there were three people in her marriage, “so it was a bit crowded.” The same is true of Israelis and Palestinians. The third person in their marriage is Mother Nature — and she’ll batter both of them if they do not come to their senses. Let’s start with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist organization that rules the Gaza Strip. If there were an anti-Nobel Peace Prize — that is, the Nobel Prize for Cynicism and Reckless Disregard for One’s Own People in Pursuit of a Political Fantasy — it would surely be conferred on Hamas, which just facilitated the tragic and wasted deaths of roughly 60 Gazans by encouraging their march, some with arms, on the Israeli border fence in pursuit of a “return” to their ancestral homes in what is now Israel. While the march idea emerged from Palestinian society in Gaza, Hamas seized on it to disguise its utter failure to produce any kind of decent life for the Palestinians there, whom Hamas has ruled since 2007. You hear people say: “What choice did they have? They’re desperate.” Well, I’ll give you a choice — one that almost certainly would lead to an improved life for Gazans, one that I first proposed in 2011. via Opinion \| Hamas, Netanyahu and Mother Nature – The New York Times Hamden, CT \| Pending Approval Thank you Thomas Friedman, for another useful and informative op-ed. All the comments I read but the NYT pick were extremely negative, but, as Dad said, don’t let the bastards get you down. I particularly liked your paragraph, “Moreover, the renewable extraction rate for Gaza’s underground aquifer is about 60 million cubic meters of rain water annually, noted Bromberg, but Gazans have been drawing about 200 million cubic meters a year for over a decade, “so the aquifer has gotten drained and seawater has seeped into it, and many people are now drinking water that is both salty and polluted with sewage.”” You are right, mother nature is about to play a big role in Gaza and the entire middle east. You are right to call out the Israelis, since they have the stronger hand, and they have the land of the Palestinians. Overtime, they are a doomed people, if they don’t figure out how to take care of the Palestinians. Turning Gaza into a smaller Singapore is a good idea. I wonder if it requires a brutal re-occupation of Gaza to wipe out Hamas. It is impossible to support Israel, when they keep taking even more Palestinian land and property through illegal and immoral settlement building. With these new displacements, they act like terrorists in their own obnoxious way. David Lindsay Jr. is the author of “The Tay Son Rebellion, Historical Fiction of Eighteenth-century Vietnam,” and blogs at TheTaySonRebellion.com and InconvenientNews.wordpress.com Posted in Israel, Palestine, Thomas Friedman \| Tagged Netanyahu and Mother Nature - by Thomas Friedman - NYT, Opinion \| Hamas \| Leave a reply Opinion \| Gaza’s Miseries Have Palestinian Authors – by Bret Stephens – NYT For the third time in two weeks, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have set fire to the Kerem Shalom border crossing, through which they get medicine, fuel and other humanitarian essentials from Israel. Soon we’ll surely hear a great deal about the misery of Gaza. Try not to forget that the authors of that misery are also the presumptive victims. There’s a pattern here — harm yourself, blame the other — and it deserves to be highlighted amid the torrent of morally blind, historically illiterate criticism to which Israelis are subjected every time they defend themselves against violent Palestinian attack. In 1970, Israel set up an industrial zone along the border with Gaza to promote economic cooperation and provide Palestinians with jobs. It had to be shut down in 2004 amid multiple terrorist attacks that left 11 Israelis dead. In 2005, Jewish-American donors forked over $14 million dollars to pay for greenhouses that had been used by Israeli settlers until the government of Ariel Sharon withdrew from the Strip. Palestinians looted dozens of the greenhouses almost immediately upon Israel’s exit. via Opinion \| Gaza’s Miseries Have Palestinian Authors – The New York Times David Lindsay: A strong and effective argument by Bret Stephens. I remain unconvinced. Here are two comments I recommended: Jeffrey Waingrow Sheffield, MA May 16 On the face of it, this is a reasonably compelling argument. But It would be even more persuasive if Mr. Stephens would explain how the continuing building of settlements is not a provocation that realistically says to the Palestinians that they have no future. I’ve yet to hear a compelling argument to justify the building of settlements in contested areas. 10 Replies 699 Recommended Rob commented May 16 NYC May 16 The Israelis have all the power and with power comes responsibility. The Palestinians have zero power and nothing to lose. That is why I have expectations of the Israelis. They are supposed to be better than this and have a lot more to lose. 5 Replies 667 Recommended Posted in Bret Stephens, David Lindsay, Israel, Palestine \| Tagged Gaza’s Miseries Have Palestinian Authors, Opinion \| Gaza’s Miseries Have Palestinian Authors - by Bret Stephens - NYT \| Leave a reply What Is the Gaza Fence and Why Has It Set Off Protests Against Israel? – By Megan Specia and Rick Gladstone – NYT By Megan Specia and Rick Gladstone A snaking metal fence that divides the Gaza Strip from Israel has become the latest focal point in a generations-long conflict between Arabs and Jews in the area. It was along this fence that at least 60 Palestinians were killed and many hundreds wounded on Monday as thousands converged to protest what they call an arbitrarily enforced demarcation line by an occupier. As protesters rushed toward the fence, some throwing rocks or homemade fire bombs, Israeli soldiers fired live bullets, which the Israeli military said was done as a last resort. What are the fence’s origins and purpose in separating Gaza, a 25-mile-long, five-mile-wide Mediterranean coastal enclave where nearly two million Palestinians live? Is the fence recognized as an international border? And how has Israel justified deadly force to stop mostly unarmed Palestinians from breaching it? Here are the basics: via What Is the Gaza Fence and Why Has It Set Off Protests Against Israel? – The New York Times Posted in Israel, Palestine \| Tagged By Megan Specia and Rick Gladstone, What Is the Gaza Fence, What Is the Gaza Fence and Why Has It Set Off Protests Against Israel? - By Megan Specia and Rick Gladstone - NYT \| Leave a reply Opinion \| Israel’s Got Its Own Refugee Dilemma: African ‘Dreamers’ – by Thomas Friedman – NYT Posted on April 25, 2018 by David Lindsay Jr TEL AVIV — It’s been obvious to me for some time that the Israeli-Arab conflict is to wider global geopolitical trends what Off Broadway is to Broadway. If you want a hint of what’s coming to a geopolitical theater near you, study this region. You can see it all here in miniature. That certainly applies to what’s becoming the most destabilizing and morally wrenching geopolitical divide on the planet today — the divide between what I call the “World of Order” and the “World of Disorder.” And Israel is right on the seam — which is why the last major fence Israel built was not to keep West Bank Palestinians from crossing into Israel but to keep more Africans from walking from their homes in Africa, across the Sinai Desert, into Israel. So many new nations that were created in the last century are failing or falling apart under the stresses of population explosions, climate change, corruption, tribalism and unemployment. As these states deteriorate, they’re hemorrhaging millions of people — more refugees and migrants are on the road today than at any other time since World War II — people trying to get out of the violent and unstable World of Disorder and into the World of Order. The Broadway versions are the vast number of migrants from failing states in Central America trying to get into the U.S. and from the Arab world and Africa trying to get into Europe. The Off Broadway version is playing out in Israel, to which, since 2012, roughly 60,000 Africans from Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia have trekked — not to find kosher food, Al Aqsa Mosque or the Via Dolorosa, but stability and a job. via Opinion \| Israel’s Got Its Own Refugee Dilemma: African ‘Dreamers’ – The New York Times Yes, yes yes. Ugh. Tom Friedman asks the right difficult questions. I recommended the two most popular comments: Enough Humans Nevada April 24 I was expecting a doctrinaire recommendation that Israel take anyone that can make it to its borders be accepted for asylum. Instead you conclude with realistic questions to which no one has answers. Also, I noticed that over population was the first on the “list” of problems. Hopefully human overpopulation deniers will reconsider their positions – too many humans is the root cause of all environmental problems including climate change and the sixth mass extinction of non-humans happening right now. 1 Reply88 Recommended JohnB commented April 24 Staten Island April 24 The Israelis have the right idea — I wish America was that sane! Sub-Saharan Africa is the one place in the world where, for whatever reason, birth rates have not dropped very much and the population continues to explode. It is projected that by the end of this century the population of Sub-Saharan African is going to quadruple to 4 billion people — nearly half of the world’s population! Many of them are understandably going to want to live anywhere but Africa, so there is a tsunami of African migrants on the horizon. Any nation — large or small — that doesn’t take serious measures to secure its borders will find itself overwhelmed, and sooner rather than later. 2 Replies78 Recommended Posted in Africa, Israel, Thomas Friedman \| Tagged Opinion \| Israel’s Got Its Own Refugee Dilemma: African ‘Dreamers’ - by Thomas Friedman - NYT \| Leave a reply Trump- Israel and the Art of the Giveaway – by Thomas Friedman – NYT Posted on December 7, 2017 by David Lindsay Jr I’m contemplating writing a book on the first year of President Trump’s foreign policy, and I already know the name: “The Art of the Giveaway.” In nearly 30 years of covering United States foreign policy, I’ve never seen a president give up so much to so many for so little, starting with China and Israel. In both the Middle Kingdom and in the Land of Israel, Christmas came early this year. The Chinese and the Jews are both whispering to their kids: “There really is a Santa Claus.” And his name is Donald Trump. Who can blame them? Let’s start with Israel, every Israeli government since its founding has craved United States recognition of Jerusalem as its capital. And every United States government has refrained from doing that, arguing that such a recognition should come only in the wake of an agreed final status peace accord between Israelis and Palestinians — until now. Today, Trump just gave it away — for free. Such a deal! Why in the world would you just give this away for free and not even use it as a lever to advance the prospect of an Israeli-Palestinian deal? Trump could have said two things to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. First, he could have said: “Bibi, you keep asking me to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. O.K., I will do that. But I want a deal. Here’s what I want from you in return: You will declare an end to all Israeli settlement building in the West Bank, outside of the existing settlement bloc that everyone expects to be part of Israel in any two-state solution.” David Linday Jr: Thank you Tom Friedman. What terrible losses this oaf is causing for the United States. Here is comment that I endorse: Frankfurt, Germany 15 hours ago Your point that Trump does not see himself as president of the United States but only of those who elected him is so true. It is why, as you rightly point out, that he pursues policies that are not in the national interest, but which only serve to whip up sentiment among the shrinking group of folks who support him– increasingly the far right or alt-right. He will or should soon lose the support of those working class people who bet on him– destroying NAFTA, TPP and now passing this windfall tax bill for the rich, should disabuse them of the idea he ever was interesting in anyones welfare other than his own. The news from the US gets worse every day. 1051 Recommended via Trump, Israel and the Art of the Giveaway – The New York Times Posted in China, Israel, Uncategorized \| Tagged Trump- Israel and the Art of the Giveaway - by Thomas Friedman - NYT \| Leave a reply	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24709
__label__cc	0.746648	0.253352	Robert Considine Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Metabolism Emailrconsidi@iupui.edu 21859 Citations 1 - 50 out of 177 results MIND food and speed of processing training in older adults with low education, the MINDSpeed Alzheimer's disease prevention pilot trial Clark, D., Xu, H., Moser, L., Adeoye, P., Lin, A. W., Tangney, C. C., Risacher, S. L., Saykin, A., Considine, R. & Unverzagt, F., Sep 1 2019, In : Contemporary Clinical Trials. 84, 105814. Cognitive Reserve Oxidative Stress in Response to Saturated Fat Ingestion Is Linked to Insulin Resistance and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome González, F., Considine, R. V., Abdelhadi, O. A. & Acton, A. J., Nov 1 2019, In : The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 104, 11, p. 5360-5371 12 p. Proinsulin secretion is a persistent feature of type 1 diabetes Sims, E. K., Bahnson, H. T., Nyalwidhe, J., Haataja, L., Davis, A. K., Speake, C., DiMeglio, L., Blum, J., Morris, M. A., Mirmira, R., Nadler, J., Mastracci, T. L., Marcovina, S., Qian, W. J., Yi, L., Swensen, A. C., Yip-Schneider, M., Schmidt, C., Considine, R., Arvan, P. & 2 others, Greenbaum, C. J. & Evans-Molina, C., Feb 1 2019, In : Diabetes Care. 42, 2, p. 258-264 7 p. Proinsulin C-Peptide Proinsulin secretion is a persistent feature of type 1 diabetes. Diabetes care 2019;42:258–264 Sims, E. K., Bahnson, H. T., Nyalwidhe, J., Haataja, L., Davis, A. K., Speake, C., DiMeglio, L., Blum, J., Morris, M. A., Mirmira, R., Nadler, J., Mastracci, T. L., Marcovina, S., Qian, W. J., Yi, L., Swensen, A. C., Yip-Schneider, M., Max Schmidt, C., Considine, R., Arvan, P. & 2 others, Greenbaum, C. J. & Evans-Molina, C., May 1 2019, In : Diabetes care. 42, 5, p. E85-E86 Saturated Fat Ingestion Promotes Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome González, F., Considine, R., Abdelhadi, O. A. & Acton, A. J., Mar 1 2019, In : The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 104, 3, p. 934-946 13 p. Toll-Like Receptor 4 Lipopolysaccharides Aspartame consumption for 12 weeks does not affect glycemia, appetite, or body weight of healthy, lean adults in a randomized controlled trial Higgins, K. A., Considine, R. & Mattes, R. D., Apr 1 2018, In : Journal of Nutrition. 148, 4, p. 650-657 8 p. Combination GLP-1 and Insulin Treatment Fails to Alter Myocardial Fuel Selection vs. Insulin Alone in Type 2 Diabetes Mather, K., Considine, R., Hamilton, L., Patel, N. A., Mathias, C., Territo, W., Goodwill, A. G., Tune, J., Green, M. & Hutchins, G., Sep 1 2018, In : Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 103, 9, p. 3456-3465 10 p. Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Comparison of b-Cell function between overweight/Obese adults and adolescents across the spectrum of glycemia Chen, M. E., Chandramouli, A. G., Considine, R., Hannon, T. & Mather, K., Feb 1 2018, In : Diabetes Care. 41, 2, p. 318-325 8 p. Family history of alcoholism and the human brain response to oral sucrose Eiler, W. J. A., Dzemidzic, M., Soeurt, C. M., Carron, C. R., Oberlin, B. G., Considine, R., Harezlak, J. & Kareken, D., Jan 1 2018, In : NeuroImage: Clinical. 17, p. 1036-1046 11 p. In situ type I oligomeric collagen macroencapsulation promotes islet longevity and function in vitro and in vivo Stephens, C. H., Orr, K. S., Acton, A. J., Tersey, S. A., Mirmira, R., Considine, R. & Voytik-Harbin, S. L., Oct 6 2018, In : American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. 315, 4, p. E650-E661 Collagen Type I Islets of Langerhans Transplantation Mastication of nuts under realistic eating conditions: Implications for energy balance McArthur, B. M., Mattes, R. D. & Considine, R., Jun 1 2018, In : Nutrients. 10, 6, 710. A special thanks to the reviewers of diabetes Fadini, G. P., Alonso, L. C., Finck, B. N., Ayala, J. E., Barazzoni, R., Von Herrath, M., Bi, P., Considine, R., Mauvais-Jarvis, F. & Myers, M. G., Jun 1 2017, In : Diabetes. 66, 6, 1 p. Metabolic improvements following Rouxen-Y surgery assessed by solid meal test in subjects with short duration type 2 diabetes Shankar, S. S., Mixson, L. A., Chakravarthy, M., Chisholm, R., Acton, A. J., Jones, R. M., Mattar, S. G., Miller, D. L., Petry, L., Beals, C. R., Stoch, S. A., Kelley, D. E. & Considine, R., Jan 1 2017, In : BMC Obesity. 4, 1, 10. Adipocytes enhance murine pancreatic cancer growth via a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-mediated mechanism Ziegler, K. M., Considine, R., True, E., Swartz-Basile, D. A., Pitt, H. A. & Zyromski, N., Apr 1 2016, In : International Journal of Surgery. 28, p. 179-184 6 p. Hepatocyte Growth Factor Conditioned Culture Medium Assessment of myocardial metabolic flexibility and work efficiency in human type 2 diabetes using 16-[18F]fluoro-4-thiapalmitate, a novel PET fatty acid tracer Mather, K., Hutchins, G., Perry, K., Territo, W., Chisholm, R., Acton, A., Glick-Wilson, B., Considine, R., Moberly, S. & DeGrado, T. R., 2016, In : American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. 310, 6, p. E452-E460 Glucose Clamp Technique Oxygen Consumption Changes in weight and glucose can protect against progression in early diabetes independent of improvements in β-cell function Patel, Y. R., Kirkman, M. S., Considine, R., Hannon, T. & Mather, K., Nov 1 2016, In : Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 101, 11, p. 4076-4084 9 p. Effect of experimental change in children's sleep duration on television viewing and physical activity Hart, C. N., Hawley, N., Davey, A., Carskadon, M., Raynor, H., Jelalian, E., Owens, J., Considine, R. & Wing, R. R., 2016, (Accepted/In press) In : Pediatric obesity. Retinopathy predicts progression of fasting plasma glucose: An Early Diabetes Intervention Program (EDIP) analysis Patel, Y. R., Kirkman, M. S., Considine, R., Hannon, T. & Mather, K., Aug 24 2016, (Accepted/In press) In : Journal of Diabetes and its Complications. Acute Changes in Sleep Duration on Eating Behaviors and Appetite-Regulating Hormones in Overweight/Obese Adults Hart, C. N., Carskadon, M. A., Demos, K. E., Van Reen, E., Sharkey, K. M., Raynor, H. A., Considine, R., Jones, R. N. & Wing, R. R., Sep 3 2015, In : Behavioral Sleep Medicine. 13, 5, p. 424-436 13 p. Failure of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia to compensate for impaired metabolic response to an oral glucose load Hussain, M., Janghorbani, M., Schuette, S., Considine, R., Chisholm, R. L. & Mather, K., Mar 1 2015, In : Journal of Diabetes and its Complications. 29, 2, p. 238-244 7 p. Leptin and intermediary metabolism: Focus on glucoregulation and lipids Morgan, R. C. & Considine, R., Jan 1 2015, Leptin: Regulation and Clinical Applications. Springer International Publishing, p. 79-88 10 p. Leptin Receptors Measurement of circulating leptin and soluble leptin receptors Considine, R., Jan 1 2015, Leptin: Regulation and Clinical Applications. Springer International Publishing, p. 39-43 5 p. Obesity: The Problem and Its Management Cowley, M. A., Brown, W. A. & Considine, R., Jan 1 2015, Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. Elsevier Inc., Vol. 1-2. p. 468-478.e3 The apéritif effect: Alcohol's effects on the brain's response to food aromas in women Eiler, W. J. A., Dzemidzic, M., Case, K. R., Soeurt, C. M., Armstrong, C. L. H., Mattes, R. D., O'Connor, S., Harezlak, J., Acton, A. J., Considine, R. & Kareken, D., Jul 1 2015, In : Obesity. 23, 7, p. 1386-1393 8 p. Intravenous Infusions [13C]glucose breath testing provides a noninvasive measure of insulin resistance: Calibration analyses against clamp studies Hussain, M., Jangorbhani, M., Schuette, S., Considine, R., Chisholm, R. L. & Mather, K., Feb 1 2014, In : Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. 16, 2, p. 102-112 11 p. Body Weights and Measures Activated monocytes: Yet another link between systemic inflammation and obesity Considine, R., 2014, In : Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 99, 7, p. 2347-2349 3 p. Leukocyte Chemotaxis Chemokine Receptors Genetic and environmental influences on the prospective correlation between systemic inflammation and coronary heart disease death in male twins Wu, S. H., Neale, M. C., Acton, A. J., Considine, R., Krasnow, R. E., Reed, T. & Dai, J., 2014, In : Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 34, 9, p. 2168-2174 7 p. Hepatocyte growth factor regulates neovascularization in developing fat pads White, H. M., Acton, A. J., Kamocka, M. & Considine, R., Jan 15 2014, In : American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. 306, 2 Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met Oncostatin M is produced in adipose tissue and is regulated in conditions of obesity and type 2 diabetes Sanchez-Infantes, D., White, U. A., Elks, C. M., Morrison, R. F., Gimble, J. M., Considine, R., Ferrante, A. W., Ravussin, E. & Stephens, J. M., Feb 2014, In : Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 99, 2 Oncostatin M Profound defects in β-cell function in screen-detected type 2 diabetes are not improved with glucose-lowering treatment in the Early Diabetes Intervention Program (EDIP) Hannon, T., Kirkman, M. S., Patel, Y. R., Considine, R. & Mather, K., Nov 1 2014, In : Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews. 30, 8, p. 767-776 10 p. Ventral frontal satiation-mediated responses to food aromas in obese and normal-weight women Eiler, W. J. A., Dzemidzic, M., Case, K. R., Armstrong, C. L. H., Mattes, R. D., Cyders, M. A., Considine, R. & Kareken, D., Jun 1 2014, In : American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 99, 6, p. 1309-1318 10 p. Satiation Adaptive changes of the Insig1/SREBP1/SCD1 set point help adipose tissue to cope with increased storage demands of obesity Carobbio, S., Hagen, R. M., Lelliott, C. J., Slawik, M., Medina-Gomez, G., Tan, C. Y., Sicard, A., Atherton, H. J., Barbarroja, N., Bjursell, M., Bohlooly-Y, M., Virtue, S., Tuthill, A., Lefai, E., Laville, M., Wu, T., Considine, R., Vidal, H., Langin, D., Oresic, M. & 6 others, Tinahones, F. J., Fernandez-Real, J. M., Griffin, J. L., Sethi, J. K., López, M. & Vidal-Puig, A., Nov 2013, In : Diabetes. 62, 11, p. 3697-3708 12 p. Changes in children's sleep duration on food intake, weight, and leptin Hart, C. N., Carskadon, M. A., Considine, R., Fava, J. L., Lawton, J., Raynor, H. A., Jelalian, E., Owens, J. & Wing, R., Dec 2013, In : Pediatrics. 132, 6 Effect of acarbose to delay progression of carotid intima-media thickness in early diabetes Patel, Y. R., Kirkman, M. S., Considine, R., Hannon, T. & Mather, K., Oct 2013, In : Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews. 29, 7, p. 582-591 10 p. Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Impaired cardiometabolic responses to glucagon-like peptide 1 in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus Moberly, S. P., Mather, K., Berwick, Z. C., Owen, M. K., Goodwill, A. G., Casalini, E. D., Hutchins, G., Green, M., Ng, Y., Considine, R., Perry, K. M., Chisholm, R. L. & Tune, J., 2013, In : Basic Research in Cardiology. 108, 4, 365. p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Insulin infusion reduces hepatocyte growth factor in lean humans De Courten, B., De Courten, M. P. J., Dougherty, S., Forbes, J. M., Potts, J. R. & Considine, R., May 2013, In : Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental. 62, 5, p. 647-650 4 p. Alanine Transaminase Oral processing effort, appetite and acute energy intake in lean and obese adults Mattes, R. D. & Considine, R., Aug 5 2013, In : Physiology and Behavior. 120, p. 173-181 9 p. Energy Intake Gingiva Acute inflammation plays a limited role in the regulation of adipose tissue COL1A1 protein abundance Adapala, V. J., Adedokun, S. A., Considine, R. & Ajuwon, K. M., Jun 2012, In : Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 23, 6, p. 567-572 6 p. Beverage consumption, appetite, and energy intake: What did you expect? Cassady, B. A., Considine, R. & Mattes, R. D., Mar 1 2012, In : American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 95, 3, p. 587-593 7 p. Gastric Emptying Correlation between ventromedial prefrontal cortex activation to food aromas and cue-driven eating: An fMRI study Eiler, W. J. A., Dzemidzic, M., Case, K. R., Considine, R. & Kareken, D., Mar 2012, In : Chemosensory Perception. 5, 1, p. 27-36 10 p. Effects of losartan on whole body, skeletal muscle and vascular insulin responses in obesity/insulin resistance without hypertension Lteif, A., Chisholm, R. L., Gilbert, K., Considine, R. & Mather, K., Mar 2012, In : Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 14, 3, p. 254-261 8 p. Fat-induced membrane cholesterol accrual provokes cortical filamentous actin destabilisation and glucose transport dysfunction in skeletal muscle Habegger, K. M., Penque, B. A., Sealls, W., Tackett, L., Bell, L. N., Blue, E. K., Gallagher, P., Sturek, M., Alloosh, M., Steinberg, H. O., Considine, R. & Elmendorf, J., Feb 2012, In : Diabetologia. 55, 2, p. 457-467 11 p. Actins Genetic variation of GPLD1 associates with serum GPI-PLD levels: A preliminary study Deeg, M. A., Xuei, X., Eckert, G., Considine, R., Li, Y. G. & Pratt, J. H., Mar 2012, In : Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. 1821, 3, p. 381-385 5 p. glycoprotein phospholipase D Apolipoprotein A-I HDL Lipoproteins Serum leptin, parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, fibroblast growth factor 23, bone alkaline phosphatase, and sclerostin relationships in Obesity Grethen, E., Hill, K. M., Jones, R., Cacucci, B. M., Gupta, C. E., Acton, A., Considine, R. & Peacock, M., May 2012, In : Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 97, 5, p. 1655-1662 8 p. Alkaline Phosphatase The angiogenic inhibitor TNP-470 decreases caloric intake and weight gain in high-fat fed mice White, H. M., Acton, A. J. & Considine, R., Oct 2012, In : Obesity. 20, 10, p. 2003-2009 7 p. Angiogenesis Inhibitors Acute and second-meal effects of almond form in impaired glucose tolerant adults: A randomized crossover trial Mori, A. M., Considine, R. & Mattes, R. D., 2011, In : Nutrition and Metabolism. 8, 6. Cross-Over Studies Ethanol impairs differentiation of human adipocyte stromal cells in culture Crabb, D., Zeng, Y., Liangpunsakul, S., Jones, R. & Considine, R., Sep 2011, In : Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 35, 9, p. 1584-1592 9 p. Stromal Cells Cell Culture Techniques Increased serum leptin indicates leptin resistance in obesity Considine, R., Oct 2011, In : Clinical Chemistry. 57, 10, p. 1461-1462 2 p. Vitamin D and hyperparathyroidism in obesity Grethen, E., McClintock, R., Gupta, C. E., Jones, R., Cacucci, B. M., Diaz, D., Fulford, A. D., Perkins, S., Considine, R. & Peacock, M., May 2011, In : Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 96, 5, p. 1320-1326 7 p. Food-related odor probes of brain reward circuits during hunger: a pilot FMRI study. Bragulat, V., Dzemidzic, M., Bruno, C., Cox, C. A., Talavage, T., Considine, R. & Kareken, D., 2010, In : Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.). 18, 8, p. 1566-1571 6 p. Gyrus Cinguli Contact Robert Considine	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24716
__label__wiki	0.672463	0.672463	Malaria killed 405,000 in 2018 as medical funding stalled: WHO Malaria still infects millions of people every year and kills more than 400,000 – mostly children in Africa – because the fight against the mosquito-borne disease has stalled, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. Funding for the global battle against malaria – which kills a child every two minutes – is broadly flat, the WHO warned, and because of continuing transmission via mosquitoes, half the world’s population remains at risk of contracting the disease. 1,800 dead as malaria epidemic rages in Burundi: UN Drug-resistant malaria spreading in Southeast Asia: Study Pioneering malaria vaccine for children introduced in Malawi The organisation called on donor nations and governments in countries affected by the disease to step up the fight. “The world has shown that progress can be made,” the WHO’s malaria expert, Pedro Alonso, told reporters. He cited significant reductions in malaria cases and deaths since 2010 when case numbers fell from 239 million to 214 million in 2015, and deaths fell from 607,000 to approximately 500,000 in 2013. “But progress has slowed down,” he said. “And we have stabilised at … an unacceptably high level.” Cases in 2018 were down slightly – to 228 million from about 231 million in 2017 – and the number of deaths declined to 405,000 from 416,000 in 2017. Of that 2018 number of deaths, an estimated 380,000 were from Africa; 25 percent of the total cases were from Nigeria alone. The WHO’s report found that pregnant women and children in Africa continued to bear the brunt of the malaria epidemic. An estimated 11 million pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa – 29 percent of all pregnancies – were infected with malaria in 2018, leading to nearly 900,000 children being born with low birth weight, putting their health further at risk. More than a third of young children in sub-Saharan Africa in 2018 also was still not sleeping under a mosquito net, which could protect them from the infection, the report found. In November, Science Magazine reported that the first malaria vaccine was rolled out in Malawi, Ghana and Kenya. Meanwhile, it was reported last November that a United Nations peacekeeper from China died of malaria after being on a mission to South Sudan from 2017 to 2018. The RBM Partnership to End Malaria advocacy group said the WHO report showed that global political commitment and investment have been critical to sustaining progress, and urged governments not to lose focus. “In most parts of the world, a child who gets malaria today has a better chance of survival than at any other point in history. Yet, despite the availability of effective life-saving malaria interventions, too many vulnerable pregnant women and children still face the greatest risk of dying from a mosquito bite,” the group’s chair, Maha Taysir Barakat, said in a statement. Article source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/malaria-killed-405000-2018-medical-funding-stalled-191204030708357.html North Korea’s Kim rides through snow as nuclear deadline looms Anger in China as US House passes Uighur crackdown bill Tangerang military endorse 47 passed in fireworks bureau explosion Overflowing of Kapuas River inundates Kapuas Hulu Times of News April 29, 2019 President distributes 10,100 land certificates in Tangerang Raya area SAG Awards: South Korean hit Parasite makes history အာရွရဲ႕ အေကာင္းဆံုး ကလပ္အသင္းျဖစ္လာဖို႔ ေနာက္ဆံုးေျခလွမ္း Indonesia eyes messy palm oil manners in EU trade deal: leak Times of News February 16, 2018 Indonesia prepared to turn partial of tellurian supply chain	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24717
__label__cc	0.74299	0.25701	Ingenium Technical Services, Inc. Ingenium Technical Services Incorporated (ITSI) is an aerospace engineering services and technology company founded by a group of senior engineers with extensive backgrounds in the aerospace industry. We specialize in thermal engineering of ground and space-based systems from units and printed circuit boards through system level thermal design and from cryogenic through high temperature applications. Our experience in these areas extends from design concept through testing and mission operations. We also offer mechanical design, contamination control and systems engineering support. Thermal Design and Analysis Unit/PCB Thermal Analysis Thermal Vacuum Testing Advanced Refrigeration Technology With extensive backgrounds in the aerospace industry and a combined experience base of over 100 years, Ingenium strives to provide each of their customers with the best possible experience. Ingenium’s mission is to provide our government and commercial customers with the highest quality technical services at very competitive rates. We accomplish this with the depth and breadth of our experience base and with our low overhead. Our highly skilled and readily available personnel can ramp up quickly on your most demanding jobs with our extensive knowledge and experience with commercial, military and NASA mission requirements and we will help to ensure your space flight program's success. SEE MORE At Ingenium Technical Services, Inc., we rely on honesty, discipline and hard work and believe our success can be attributed to upholding a simple set of core values that date back to the beginning of the company. We proudly support NASA and Federally Funded Research Centers such as Ogddard Space Flight Center, NASA-Ames Research Center, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Standford Linear Accelarator center as well as prime contractors such as Lockheed-Martin, Northrop Grumman Aerospace, Loral Space and Communications, and several smaller aerospace companies. View all of our latest projects by clicking the button below. NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explore (LADEE) Ingenium provided the project a James Web Space Telescope Ingenium provided the project with High Temperature Refrigeration Ingenium is spearheading innovative research Ingenium has provided engineering expertise We are an aerospace engineering services and technology company founded by a group of senior engineers with extensive backgrounds in the aerospace industry. 10374, San Fernando Ave Phone : +1(408) 505-3413 Email : info@ingeniumtsi.com 2018 Ingenium. All rights reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24719
__label__wiki	0.865068	0.865068	Iran’s president says ‘no limit’ to nuclear enrichment Signatures For Soldiers Turns Athlete Autographs Into Veterans Assistance AFRL Tests Launch Tech For 'Austere' Sites Navy review backs planned expansion of Nevada bombing range Relevant insights by the experts from American Military University Veterans Center Veteran Entrepreneur Series Life After the Military DANTES Wes O’Donnell Liberal Arts vs. STEM: The Right Degrees, The Wrong Debate July 1, 2015 Jessica Stasiw Iran's president says 'no limit' to nuclear enrichment If Iranian Troops Really Thought Ukraine Flight 752 Was A Cruise Missile, They Made A 'Hail Mary' Shot 3 who brought mortar round to gate at Pearl Harbor released Army Chief Seeks 'Minimally Manned' Vehicles, Joint C2 Multiple Air Force Base Names to be Changed to "Space Base" By Sergei Klebnikov In the shifting landscape of higher education today, critical questions continue to be raised about the value of a liberal arts education. There is a constant drumbeat claiming that STEM subjects –science, technology, engineering and math – are far more valuable in today’s digital economy and culture than a traditional liberal arts major such as philosophy or history. “There has been an increase in awareness simply because that is where the jobs are at today and where we foresee them to be in the future,” says Vince Bertram, president and CEO of non-profit Project Lead the Way, a leading provider of K-12 STEM programs that delivers to over 6,500 schools across the nation. Many public officials have recently fueled the debate by publicly questioning the value of degrees in traditional liberal arts subjects. President Barack Obama famously called into question the usefulness of an art history degree in January before later apologizing. Several Republican governors, including those in Texas, Florida and Wisconsin, have also spoken out against the liberal arts. Also among those who have adopted this stance are North Carolina Gov. Patrick McCrory, former presidential nominee Mitt Romney. For decades the liberal arts and sciences lived harmoniously. They went about their business, for the most part, largely in their own labs and lecture halls. And while much of the recent conversation pitting STEM against the liberal arts has arisen out of this current media interest, says Eugene Tobin, senior program officer at the Mellon Foundation, has one truly overshadowed the other? A False Dichotomy? “The emerging and new emphasis on science and engineering is valid, but you still need liberal arts thinkers applied in other fields,” said Alison Byerly, president of Lafayette College, an elite liberal arts school in suburban Pennsylvania. She described the debate as a “false dichotomy.” “One needs to understand that in many instances this is a false choice between the two,” John McCardell Jr., vice chancellor of Tennessee’s Sewanee University of the South, similarly argues. English lit, economics and international studies are among the Tennessee’s school most popular majors.“But this is not the first time that the liberal arts have been under siege,” he says, pointing to the historical examples of the Land Grant Act of 1862 and the GI Bill of 1944. Despite challenges, “teaching liberal arts has been the central focus of higher education for centuries, and indeed, has formed the underlying basis of advancement in science, technology, engineering and math,” says Rev. James Maher, president of Niagara University, a small Catholic university in Upstate New York. Integrated Curriculums But business as usual often looks archaic. The liberal arts “need to be updated for the 21st century,” says Rebecca Chopp, chancellor of the University of Denver and former president of Swarthmore College. Many leaders of institutions today suggest that the liberal arts are most effective when encompassing STEM fields. “Seeing STEM as threatening to the liberal arts is false; they are two important forms of education that complement each other,” Byerly said. She described that many liberal arts schools are beginning to reform their curriculums to keep them relevant – and that this is particularly true at Lafayette, where engineering is implemented as part of its curriculum. “Overall, liberal arts colleges must do a better job of making their case and looking for natural opportunities to collaborate with STEM schools,” says Nancy Gray, president of Hollins University, a tiny all-women’s college in Roanoke, VA. Clark University is thinking about how to augment a traditional liberal arts education. According to the Worchester, MA-based college’s Associate Provost Nancy Budwig, STEM majors are very much in demand these days, as the university has seen over a 10% increase in enrollment in these fields. However, she insisted, this does not mean that it has taken interest away from traditional humanities subjects. Indeed, this theme of integration seems to be a trend among many of the leading liberal arts institutions. Leaders of Davidson, Wellesley, Sewanee and Mt. Holyoke all similarly reported that placing emphasis on STEM fields as an integral part of their liberal arts curriculums. While many liberal arts schools are successfully integrating their curriculums, the reverse is occurring with traditionally STEM-focused universities who are trying to “infuse the liberal arts model into their institutions,” according to Budwig. At the Rochester Institute of Technology, for example, a large majority of students obtain degrees in engineering or computing, but they must also complete a general education curriculum which delivers technology-infused liberal arts degrees. A recent Teagle Foundation grant will allow the school to “integrate liberal arts content more intentionally into our engineering curriculum,” says James Winebrake, dean of RIT’s College of Liberal Arts. The school has two new degrees that are exemplary of both STEM and the liberal arts – Human-Centered Computing and Digital Humanities. Schools have also found success in working together, both with other small liberal arts institutions and with larger, research-oriented universities. “There is genuine interest in facilitating partnerships across research universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges,” says Tobin. Education leaders around the country are increasingly coming together to discuss issues facing higher education today. In 2012, Swarthmore and Lafayette co-hosted a national conference to do just that, and last year, in conjunction with Byerly’s inauguration, various presidents from liberal arts colleges returned to continue the discussion and contemplate new models for liberal education. “It is important to present a united front in talking about what we offer at institutions like ours,” Byerly says about the event, which featured speakers from Middlebury College, Sewanee, Lafayette College and Barnard College. Ultimately, the debate between the liberal arts and STEM isn’t as simple as black and white. There is much for schools to accomplish through collaboration, which allows for shared resources, academic programs and innovative ideas. The most important steps forward have been the innovations that schools have made to their curriculums, often through collaboration with other colleges. “This debate will help all types of institutions start talking about topics that have either been taboo or avoided all together,” says Stephanie Freeman, program director for the Arts and Humanities at North Carolina Central University, a public and historically black university in Durham. With the debate now at center stage, “some of the brightest minds in both fields can have open and honest discussions.” This article was written by Sergei Klebnikov from Forbes and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. 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__label__cc	0.710763	0.289237	On July 1, 2019, a change in Idaho Code Section 67-2919 will go into effect that will impact survivor options regarding processing of the evidence collected during a sexual assault forensic examination. Under the revised law, all kits – except those collected anonymously or where the allegation is determined to be unfounded (i.e. there is evidence to prove no crime occurred) – shall be sent to the Idaho State Crime Laboratory for testing. This change was made to address concerns regarding the high rate of kits not being returned to the lab for testing. Under the prior iteration of the law, law enforcement could decline to return a kit to the state lab for testing if: there was no evidence to support a crime was committed; the matter was no longer being investigated as a crime; or an adult survivor expressly indicated that no further forensic examination or testing should occur. Under each of these categories, the rate of kit declination was much higher than expected. The amended law seeks to increase the use of evidence collected which will help to connect cases across time and jurisdictions and may also help in individual cases. However, because identified survivors can no longer request a kit not be tested on their own, it is important for community members to understand that survivors who do not want their kits submitted to the lab must request and anonymous exam. Survivors who request anonymous exams will be provided a number that matches up with their completed kit and they may still report the assault to law enforcement when and if they choose to do so. If a criminal report is filed, the anonymous kit can be connected to the survivor via the kit number. Because anonymous kits must be requested prior to evidence collection, we encourage programs to push out information about the amended law and how to request an anonymous kit over the course of the next few months. For more information, or assistance with messaging for awareness building activities, please do not hesitate to contact Annie. Annie Pelletier Hightower annie@engagingvoices.org Three Things to reach out to me for: Changes to Idaho’s Sexual Assault Kit Testing Procedures Program Spotlight \| Bingham Crisis Center Refreshing the Basics \| Transitional Housing Funds Finding Balance Towards Thriving Idaho Coalition Store Materials Domestic Violence Fact Sheet Sexual Violence Fact Sheet Idaho Coalition Store Engaging Voices Twitter Idaho Coalition Facebook Towards Thriving – 5/17/19 Towards Thriving – 5/1/19 Join Our Program Member Newsletter Mailing List The Bingham Crisis Center has undergone many significant changes in the last year. We have opened up the Community Closet and More inside our facility. The Closet has basic necessary items including bedding, clothing, kitchenware and some small appliances and furniture. These items are available for any members of the community, not just domestic or sexual assault survivors. It has been a means to reach more survivors that haven’t received services and, more importantly, has benefited the community in a way that hasn’t been reached before. Last year, between May and December, we assisted 586 people with just the Closet alone. It has shown to be a huge asset to our small community where resources can be difficult to come by. We have also seen an increase in direct services, especially in our outlying communities. We currently have a satellite office in Aberdeen where our advocate had traveled there twice per month, but now visits the community once per week. It has increased our communication with city officials and law enforcement while enhancing our community presence. We are now expanding to Shelley where we will have an advocate there twice per week. We expect to reach more survivors through this additional satellite office and more fully assist all the citizens within Bingham County. The Bingham Crisis Center is currently undergoing renovation in the upper floors of our building. We are renovating two bathrooms and some other needed updates in anticipation of using it for another, permanent, emergency shelter. April was a very busy month for us with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. We held our Annual Walk-A- Mile in Her Shoes event and saw the attendance triple from just one year ago. The Mayor of Blackfoot held a Sexual Assault Proclamation reading and we saw staggering numbers attend our Annual Dart Tournament Benefit the likes of which had not been seen with this event in numbers of people attending and total funds raised. We have seen many changes recently, all of which have allowed us to expand our resources and enhance our working relationship with the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office. We have seen an increase in referrals from both of these respected Offices either in Emergency Call Outs or through our fliers. Our relations with the Court personnel and Victim Witness Coordinator continue to be paramount in our mission and efforts. We have been very blessed to see the growth we have had in such a short amount of time. We still have many things to accomplish in our small community, but have seen strides in the right direction and look forward to the future with community and survivors needs as our guide. Scott Smith \| Executive Director, Bingham Crisis Center \| Connect/Email We would like to notify programs and advocates (who are MOU partners of this grant) that funds are available to provide transitional housing and other qualified expenses for survivors, children and dependents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are fleeing violence and for whom emergency shelter is not available or insufficient. The Idaho Transitional Housing Project directs its resources towards individuals with the highest need, with special consideration for survivors of domestic or dating violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking who are from traditionally marginalized and/or underserved populations, which may include, but are not limited to, survivors with limited English proficiency, survivors who have been resettled as refugees, survivors who are undocumented, LGBTQ survivors, survivors with a physical or mental disability, or survivors from rural communities with little low-cost housing or employment opportunities. The project’s goal is to transition survivors into permanent housing. Funding Snapshot: The project provides funding for short-term housing assistance and other qualified expenses that will meaningfully meet survivors needs. Eligibility: An adult person who is fleeing domestic or dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking, who is homeless, or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance, and emergency shelter is unavailable or insufficient. This person may or may not be transitioning out of shelter, looking for housing, or already in a living situation, but would benefit from additional stability. Eligible participants may receive funding assistance for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 24 months. Monthly rental payments may vary; the maximum amount a survivor may access per month is $1,000 – keep in mind that a survivor must receive a minimum of six months assistance. Support may initially include budgeting a larger amount to secure stable housing and pay a smaller portion of the rent as time goes on, or equal monthly amounts. MOU Programs/partnering organizations accessing the Transitional Housing funds must agree and certify that survivors will be offered voluntary supportive services. Survivors who are receiving housing assistance choose which support services to access, if any. Programs working to access on behalf of a survivor these funds may not be receiving Transitional Housing funds through OVW. Please contact Lacey Sinn if your program is working with a survivor who is eligible to access Transitional Housing funds and would like to being the process of requesting/accessing these funds and/or for all additional questions. Programs who are not MOU partners of this grant, but would like to explore options on how they might work with MOU partners to access these funds should contact Lacey. Lacey Sinn lacey@engagingvoices.org SASP (including how to access SASP Emergency Funds) Idaho Coalition Store and Materials Orders Our society places a great value on output. Instead of defining our worth by aptitude or stability, we define our worth by zealousness and yield. If we begin to do more or produce more, we are often perceived or recognized as “better.” If we go into overdrive or sacrifice for our work, we feel a heightened sense of purpose and significance. Our perceptions of “more” and “better” become increasingly synonymous in our culture—especially as advocates; however, in turn, we end up creating a growing culture of over-glorified workaholics. To concede, we rarely become workaholics for joy, liberation, or fun. We often become overzealous workers due to (real or imagined) obligations to perform, achieve, and bend over backwards for something better. Stories that exemplify this output-driven society’s toxicity are easy to find. Whether they tell of businesspeople who lose their marriages after prioritizing work over family or we hear about pregnant women who go into labor while picking up Lyft ride requests while en route to their delivery room, finding tales depicting people who work too much and do too much at the expense of their general well-being are easy—frequently, these stories are similar to our own. But what is there to be done? Neglecting time for our loved ones to make an extra buck is not cute nor dreamy—it points to how fundamentally lopsided our livelihoods are for expecting us, frequently as depleted workers, to output, output, output. We need to collectively acknowledge this truth and find liberation from it. Going into overdrive each day is not pride-deserving like we build it up to be, especially when it leads to our abandonment of self-care, nourishment, and centeredness—it points to how much we displace our worth onto productivity rather than our own thriving. We need to collectively recognize this issue and stop these habits. Within a society that already emphasizes too much labor on marginalized identities, we cannot feed into yet another system of extraction and exertion. To opt out of overworking and to interrupt demands of depletion, we must take on the radical challenge of finding time for self-love and self-care. To work hard and bend over backwards not inherently bad, but we must be willing to identify when this habit is hurting us, and we need to redirect the value we place on overworking. We must stop glorifiying the workaholic pattern/obsession. We need to start now—we needed to start yesterday. For a healthier, more balanced lifestyle that centers you, rather than your production, I implore y’all to begin today. Start small, like turning down a lunch you may feel an obligation to attend, or go bigger, and take a short vacation from work, or set a new boundary that encourages a clearer work/life balance and stop answering (and reading) work emails after 6 pm or before 7 am. Spring is the time for growth and renewal. Let’s take some time to recommit to our well-being so that we may all move towards balance and away from depletion. For a list of ways to create self-preservation, click here. For a video with insight on workaholism and overworking, click here. I believe in you—and your future self will thank you for this new commitment to thriving. Tanisha Jae Newton tanisha@engagingvoices.org Two Spirit Awareness Event Thursday, June 20th \| 8:30 am – 3:30 pm \| Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Casino SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: Lenny Hays, MA Therapist Consultant. An enrolled citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton-Oyate of the northeast corner of South Dakota. The presenter will discuss the high rates and the impact of domestic violence on the Two-Spirit/LGBTQ community. Presenters objectives to educate participants about impact of DV on the Two-Spirit/LGBTQ individual and community; awareness to participants about high rates of DV within this community; define the characteristics of DV on the Two-Spirit/LGBQ community; give ideas on how to work with individuals who identify as Two-Spirit/LGBTQ who are impacted by Domestic Violence Crafting Narratives: Tell the Stories Behind Your Data Monday, June 24th \| 11:00 PM – 12:00 PM Pacific \| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Mountain or Thursday, July 11th \| 11:00 PM – 12:00 PM Pacific \| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Mountain You can join this online webinar with closed captioning in English and/or a toll-free phone line. Please contact vawamei@maine.edu or call 1-800-922-VAWA (8292) with any additional needs or questions. Semi-Annual Progress Reports document the impact OVW grants make on victims of domestic/sexual violence, their families, and their communities. Have you ever wondered what to include in the narrative sections of your progress report? You can use these sections to illustrate the impact of your agencies’ work, but it can be hard to know where to begin. Please join OVW and VAWA MEI staff as we discuss best practices for writing compelling narratives and documenting your grant-funded activities through the narrative questions. This one-hour webinar opportunity is being offered twice! Please select from the two training dates below. Register for the June 24th webinar here. Register for the July 11th webinar here. Intermountain Fair Housing Council \| Statewide Training Events Fair Housing Training \| Moscow, ID Wednesday, September 18, 2019 8:30am-4:30pm Fair Housing Training \| Lewiston, ID Thursday, September 19, 2019 8:30am-4:30pm Lewiston, Idaho Fair Housing Training \| Coeur d’ Alene, ID Fall Date To Be Determined Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Community Members, Housing Providers, Advocates, Government Personnel, and Attorneys encouraged to attend. Reminder that shipping for all material orders made by Programs on the Idaho Coalition website store is FREE of cost, please use the below coupon for all orders. Visit the online store to view current Idaho Coalition materials available for order. For store questions, please contact Lacey Sinn.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24728
__label__cc	0.602253	0.397747	Texas is the only state in the country that won’t allow needle-exchange programs for drug addicts. HB 65 is a needle exchange pilot program managed by Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Nueces, Travis, Webb counties and various hospital districts. The program would not use state funds, instead it would financed with grants and donations. The Houston Aids Foundation estimates that there are roughly 27,000 people livings with HIV-AIDS in Harris County. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30% of new cases of HIV/AIDS and 60% of hepatitis C can be traced to injecting drug use. The average lifetime cost of treating a person with HIV/AIDS is currently estimated to be $380,000. Lifetime costs of treatment for hepatitis C can exceed $300,000. Texas has the 4th highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the nation, with an estimated 63,000 Texans currently living with HIV, and at least 300,000 with hepatitis C. From 2002 to 2007, state Medicaid costs for HIV/AIDS services totaled more than $476 million; the cost of treating hepatitis C reached nearly $160 million. That did not include outlays by private payers, insurance companies, local hospital districts or federal programs like Medicare and Veterans Affairs. Allow more counties (Cameron, Hidalgo) along the U.S.-Mexico border to participate in the pilot program Finance a needle exchange by closing sales tax loopholes Finance a needle exchange by creating a state public bank Huffington Post – Washington D.C. Is Proof That Needle Exchanges Save Lives Texas Tribune – Guest Column: The Conservative Case for Needle Exchange House gives needle exchange program a nod Margaret Thatcher’s Needle Exchange Was Revolutionary New York Times – Why Needle Exchange Is Crucial to AIDS Prevention New York Times – A.M.A. Policy Group Backs Needle Exchanges New York Times – Politics Are Tricky but Science Is Clear: Needle Exchanges Work New York Times – Mike Pence’s Response to H.I.V. Outbreak: Prayer, Then a Change of Heart Houston Free Press – Needle Exchange Program Could Come to Houston WHO – Effectiveness of Sterile Needle and Syringe Programming in Reducing HIV/AIDS Among Injecting Drug Users Houston Matters – Should Texas Initiate a Needle Exchange Program? Al Jazeera – Amid ‘incredible epidemic,’ needle exchange programs gain momentum Long overdue: needle exchange passes in House Texas Monthly – Texas is the only state in the country that won’t allow needle-exchange programs for drug addicts. It’s time for that to change. UT Paper on Needle Exchange Programs National Institute for Health – Interventions To Prevent HIV Risk Behaviors NPR – Indiana’s HIV Outbreak Leads To Reversal On Needle Exchanges NPR – Congress Ends Ban On Federal Funding For Needle Exchange Programs Kaiser Foundation – Sterile Syringe Exchange Programs Think Progress – What Maine Can Teach The Rest Of The Country About Needle Exchanges Think Progress – Drug users in Las Vegas will soon be able to get clean needles from vending machines The Atlantic – The War on Drug Users: Are Syringe Exchanges Immoral? The Guardian – UK policymakers of the 1980s knew the score Human Rights Watch – U.S. Support of Needle Exchange Needed to Curb HIV/AIDS Epidemic ‘Evidence Says They Save Lives:’ Ireland to Open Injecting Rooms For Drug Addicts At long last, Governor or New Jersey delivers on needle exchange funding Politico – How Pence’s slow walk on needle exchange helped propel Indiana’s health crisis Indiana State Department of Health OKs Lawrence County needle-exchange program Texas Monthly – The Damage Done USA Today – Texas Attorney General: Case against needle-exchange workers can proceed PBS – Early results of W.Va. town’s needle exchange program show progress Kaiser Family Foundation – The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States Houston Chronicle – Texas AIDS deaths decline, but more youths HIV-positive Reuters – Largest U.S. needle exchange tries free meth pipes in Seattle Population Reference Bureau – Brazil’s Needle-Exchange Programs Reduce HIV Risks for Drug Users State laws, police practices contribute to ‘HIV epidemic’ in Louisiana Wall Street Journal – Needle Exchanges Gain Currency Cincinnati explores its own needle exchange Washington Post – White, rural drug users lack needle exchange programs to prevent HIV infections Alaska’s largest needle exchange is rushing to keep up with demand DA office’s support gives opioid task force green light to pursue needle exchange program	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24744
__label__cc	0.548084	0.451916	A Gallery of Ghosts (UNO Press, 2008) Purchase on-line from Amazon.com In A Gallery of Ghosts, John Gery once again shows himself to be a master of poetic forms. In this collection, Gery’s distinctive poetic voice lends seemingly orderly poems an ironic sharpness that cuts close to the bone. These poems convey both the bliss and pain of our existence, never shying away from life’s uncomfortable truths. While each of the five sections in this book, arranged like the rooms in an art gallery, offers distinctive pleasures, Gery’s self-portraits are particularly honest and perceptive. In “The Wrong Tormented Sea,” Gery writes: “I’ve never learned to live within my means.” In A Gallery of Ghosts, we see the exquisite work of an insatiable mind, a poet always reaching for the highest fruit on the tree. “Here are poems to read for pure pleasure. ‘A Pack of Lies’ is endlessly entertaining, as all 10 poems are examinations of moments in history or literature, poems filled with sly intelligence and humor. Take ‘Lie #1: That Penelope Resisted Scores of Suitors,’ which begins, ‘I’m not convinced that woman wanted him/ ever to come back home.’ Or ‘Lie #9: That Oswald Was a Cuban Sympathizer’: ‘I crept along Canal, handing out leaflets/ to all the derelicts and tourists. Well,/ not the tourists, since I repulsed them. Always/ for me it’s been that way.’ “Many of these writings are the reflections of rueful midlife, a time when all of us are haunted by unfulfilled hopes, plans gone awry, absent friends. In ‘Lines for an Obstinate Poet,’ dedicated to the late New Orleans poet Raeburn Miller, Gery writes, ‘How you were gifted/ that way, cracking vulnerable hearts and making/ off like a thief with their private treasures, taking/ no hostages.’ In another poem, ‘My Refusal to Despair,’ written for his friend Peter D’Agostino, who died in 1988, Gery asks, ‘How will I know/ to give in? When/ reach the rust edge/ of hope?’ “Some of these poems are tools to sharpen that edge of hope — I think — for they are filled with new ways to think about the present moment, a sense of probing awareness at work. In ‘The Wandering of Amelia Earhart as a Model for Our Time,’ Gery sets his course: ‘Like a fading star,/ we will fly into that distant clearing/ unknown, until we drop and roll through the fog,/ never having to repeat ourselves, yet not to be/ forgotten, in that familiar way we’ve come to love.’ – Susan Larson, Nola.com “John Gery picks up the implicit challenge, pursuing unflinchingly the mysteries of human identity, of the self and its place in the world. Nor does he settle for easy answers or comforts. Appropriately, Amelia Earhart and Francis Parkman figure here as paradigms for exploration and risk-taking.…Finally, though, what arrests attention here is the provisional quality of Gery’s poems—not that they are unfinished, indeed he writes with high polish—but that they arrive with the breath of a life about them, an intensely personal quality marked by such generous vulnerability and openness to the future that his work can burn the reader used to a literature not so determined to play for keeps.” —Philip Dacey “Metaphysical wit, emotional complexity, and surreal comedy infuse these crackling reports from a world not unlike our own, but seen with a wonderful freshness and a complete absence of can’t that makes it very much John Gery’s. A Gallery of Ghosts is a collection not to be missed.” —Charles Martin Read Poems from A Gallery of Ghosts Two Mississippis (Film by Aaron Rushin) Last Loss (Poetry Southeast, Spring 2006) The Panthers of Worry (Archived at Fiera Lingue) Clarity (Archived at Fiera Lingue) Speech for the Wallace Stevens Society (Archived at ScholarWorks)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24746
__label__wiki	0.627791	0.627791	Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University for Science and Technology - JOOUST JOOUST Repository JOOUST Email ABOUT JOOUST Membership of the University Zimbra Emails Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Administration and Finance) Registrar - Planning, Administration and Finance Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Registrar (Academic Affairs) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation & Outreach) Registrar (Research, Innovation and Outreach) PLANNING, ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE Registrar (Planning and Administration) Administration & Human Resource Estates and Maintenance Transport and Plant Financial Provisions and Regulations RESEARCH, INNOVATION & OUTREACH Outreach and Extension Services Research, Innovation & Technology Farm & Field Stations Directorate of Sports Catering and Accomodation Directorate for Enterprise Services Directorate for Quality Assurance and Performance Contracting Directorate of Information and Communications Technology Schools, Institutes and Centers School of Agricultural and Food Sciences School of Biological and Physical Sciences School of Spatial Planning and Natural Resource Management School of Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences School of Informatics and Innovative Systems Institute of Cultural Heritage and Material Science East African Community Integration Institute Centre for Research Innovation and Technology Centre for Gender Mainstreaming and Development Centre for Outreach and Extension Services Centre for E-Learning JOOUST Launches E-Learning Programme Center of Excellence in Sustainable Use of Insects as Food and Feeds (INSEFOODS) Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence Aids Control Unit Exam Regulations for Bachelor's Degree and Diploma Rules & Regulations for Postgraduate Degree, Diploma & Certificate Convocation of the University Conferments and Awards Conferment of Degrees and Awards of Diplomas and Certificates Withdrawal of Degrees, Diploma, Certificates and other awards Emeritus Professorship University Statutes and Policies Govenance Structures Functional Structure Diploma Admission Procedure Courses by School Fee Structures Outreach & Extension Services Kenya’s long-term vision is to become “a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life by the year 2030.” The aspirations of Kenyans is articulated in Vision 2030, the long-term development blue print that is being implemented using five-year medium-term plans (MTP) together with the three-year cycle Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The Government recognises the central role of science, technology and innovation (STI) in building and maintaining national competitiveness in the global economy, addressing global challenges, realising sustainable development and boosting its endeavours in achieving the desired socioeconomic status. The Government in Vision 2030 and other supplementary development instruments has thus proposed to intensify the development and application of STI for creation of wealth and, building of the requisite human capital to raise productivity and efficiency levels across the three pillars of national development. To support this, the Government has also endeavoured to create the necessary policy, legal and institutional framework for the identification, acquisition, transfer, diffusion and application of relevant STI knowledge in all sectors of the economy. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), derives its mandate of teaching, learning, research and community outreach from the Universities Act 2012 and its charter. JOOUST is a designated STI institution and Centre of Excellence in training, research, innovation and community outreach offering practical and market oriented programmes for steering socio-economic development. The University focuses on the development of Kenya’s rich cultural heritage and the utilization of the vast natural resources for academic advancement and research purposes premised on improving the socio-economic status of communities. To spearhead its STI mandate and agenda, the University created the Centre for Research, Innovation and Technology (CRIT) within the Division of Research, Innovation and Outreach (RIO) which is responsible for coordinating research, innovation, outreach and income generating activities. It is envisaged that through CRIT, the division will play a leading role in the generation of new and/or expand existing knowledge in modern research, innovation and technology to enable the University contribute to the country’s Short-Term, Medium Term Plans, Vision 2030 and to the overall national development. A Strategic Plan has been formulated to guide the first development phase for CRIT for the next five (5) years and mirrors that of the University from where it has been cascaded. The plan not only benchmarks the academic, research and community outreach programmes, but also outlines the spectrum for human capacity as well as the physical infrastructure required to realize our vision. It is envisaged that CRIT will play a leading role in the generation of new and/or expand existing knowledge in modern research and technology to enable the University contribute to the country’s Medium Term Plans, Vision 2030 and to the overall national, regional and global development. The Mandate of CRIT The University mandate is to achieve sustainable growth and development, through provision of quality education, innovative research and community outreach. In support of the University’s mandate, CRIT shall: Carry out research, innovation, and capacity building for technology development and transfer; Develop a critical mass of scientists and technical personnel, to enable it carry out competitive research, innovation and technology development in the local and international market. Collaborate with development partners within and outside the country to mobilise resources for carrying out the activities of CRIT; Work with other research and higher learning institutions locally and internationally in carrying out similar innovative research, capacity building and technology development and transfer; Collaborate with the county and national governments, state corporations including, the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) and private sector organisations. Provide a platform for knowledge sharing and technology transfer. The Vision of University is: “the beacon in training, research and sustainable development”, and the Mission is “to provide quality university education that nurtures creativity and innovation through integrated training, research and community outreach”. CRIT’s Vision and Mission are by extension aligned to the University’s vision and mission. A centre of excellence in research, innovation and technology for sustainable development To provide products, services and solutions that foster expansion of knowledge and sustainable development. Strategic Plan Development Process The Strategic Plan was developed through a highly participatory and consultative process that ensured the inclusion and involvement of a wide spectrum of internal and external stakeholders. Dr. Benard Oula Muok Cert EIA (JKUAT), Dip. (Kew Garden, UK), B.Sc., M.Sc. (Moi), Ph.D. (Kyoto) Office Director Centre for Research , Innovation and Technology Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RIO) - Chairperson; Director, Centre for Research, Innovation and Technology (CRIT) - Secretary; Director , Centre for Outreach and Extension Services; Four (4) Deans/Directors nominated by Senate; Two Student representatives; Two co-opted members from outside the University; Director of Partnerships and International Affairs; and Registrar (RIO). be answerable to the Vice-Chancellor; receive regular progress reports for consideration and approval; and monitor and evaluate the general performance of the Directorate; This Strategic Plan is set against the existing operating environment as well as reality within which CRIT must operate and respond to to achieve its objectives. The stages of analysis include: analysis of external environment using the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal (PESTEL); Institutional analysis; and a CRIT internal SWOT analysis. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) play a pivotal role in industrialisation, economic growth and sustainable development of the country. Therefore, the effective management of STI is now widely recognised as a determinant of competiveness for corporate entities, countries and regions. In a knowledge-based economy, the capacity to compete in the global market is highly dependent on the ability to innovate and apply the relevant technologies to industries and productive sectors. Investment in STI and its integration into the social, economic and governance policies can increase global market competiveness, create employment and increase productivity, which are key components for achieving the Kenya Vision 2030. It is against this national background that the University has established CRIT. To enable CRIT chart a pathway for the future, a critical evaluation of the operating environment is necessary. The critical political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal (PESTEL) variables that may affect the operations of CRIT are summarised below. PESTEL analysis enables the CRIT to identify, understand and appreciate factors that could affect the implementation of this Strategic Plan. Findings from PESTEL Analysis The Constitution of Kenya (2010 The Constitution of Kenya (2010) provides a framework for national governance with which the CRIT is expected to operate. Kenya Vision 2030 and MTP There is the national requirement that all local level strategic plans be aligned to the Kenya Vision 2030. Embracing Public Sector Performance Improvement Measures: Public institutions are required under the current political order to align activities to requirements on Performance Contracting and Quality Management System (ISO 9001: 2008). The devolved governance system has facilitated people participation as well as increased participation of Universities in regional and national development. There could be a likelihood of interference with the positive provisions in the above documents by the political / ruling class. Stability in the national economy and MTEF Government ability to finance higher education, research, innovation and outreach is dependent on the general national economic growth. This growth is impacted on by several national and global trends. Such factors include: the levels of inflation, Gross Domestic Product, development trends of imports and exports, development partner participation, climate change, the rapid population growth rates, political stability and the general global economic trends. Fostering partnerships under the public-private partnership arrangement is a worthy route towards enhancing synergies for growth and development for CRIT. Events and factors that result in negative impacts to the Kenyan or Regional economy are likely to relegate funding of science, technology and innovation activities. Rich cultural heritage The University is located within an environment with a rich cultural heritage which offers immense opportunity for mutual understanding among existing communities and people of varying ethnicities and religious affiliations. Population and demographic characteristics There exists high and increasing population within the region. There is increasing interest by youth to get training in different aspects of research and technology development, and a quest by mature persons to pursue higher education. This gives an impetus for the CRIT to explore many different training and mentorship programmes. However this may put strain on available resources. The University is located in a region characterized by high prevalence of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The social and cultural context is characterized by these infectious disease and other health issues. CRIT has opportunities to spearhead efforts through research, innovation and technology development to provide solutions that have relevance and direct impact on society. Population pressure, infectious diseases, increasing levels of poverty and other social factors have and may impact negatively on human resource productivity. Issues such as gender disparities and national cohesion will have to be addressed. Use of technology There is an increase in use of ICT and other technological advances. CRIT will have to invest in the appropriate technologies in the conduct of research, training and consultancy services. CRIT has opportunities to use these technological advances to leap-frog in development and contribute to more relevant solutions to the society. CRIT will have to address issues of investments in emerging technologies including ICT, information security and research equipment and infrastructure to remain relevant and concurrent. Technological obsolescence and associated costs of cutting-edge technologies are major threat to many research, innovation and technology development organizations. Inability to invest in requisite technologies will constrain CRIT in efforts to achieve its objectives. Increased attention on environmental issues There are several ecological factors which affect the operations and effectiveness of CRIT including climate change, natural resource management and waste management. CRIT has opportunities to participate in and contribute to green development as well as preservation of the rich eco-system around the Lake Victoria Basin. CRIT as a nascent organisation has to build the requisite competence and networks to participate in the ‘green’ revolution to reduce adverse environmental impact Compliance with legal requirements CRIT is expected to operate within the provisions of The Constitution of Kenya (2010), The Universities Act (2012), Commission for University Education (CUE) requirements, Universities Standards and Guidelines 2014 and other Legal provisions within Kenya. This could present challenges as the regulations may be overlapping and conflicting. Working within the state corporations’ legal framework pose challenges when dealing with the private sector in terms of procurement, timely delivery of services, environmental compliance and intellectual property rights. To enable CRIT chart a pathway for the future, a critical evaluation of the factors that would influence the achievements of its objectives has been done through (SWOT) analysis. A large pool of expertise in diverse disciplines of science and technology Apart from its own core staff, CRIT will draw expertise from the JOOUST academic and research staff and its external collaborators and partners. These are highly qualified complement staff and represent one of the highest concentrations of multidisciplinary researchers and trainers in the region. Most of the academic and research staff are specialists in their fields and many of them are internationally recognised. Diverse and specialised academic programmes The University already has accredited training programmes of diverse academic specialty. CRIT will build upon these in addition to new and unique ones to train and mentor the next generation of research scientists. Capacity for consultancy and community service The University has high caliber of researchers, innovators and professionals who are available to CRIT for consultancy and community extension services. Potential clients include the national Government ministries and departments, county governments, the industry, non-governmental organisations (NGO), community based organisations (CBO), and other local and international agencies. Quality and relevant research The University, through CRIT, engages in relevant innovative research, training and technology development which is attracting large research funding. Notable among the research projects are in agriculture, food and nutrition, health, environment, renewable energy, and spatial planning among others. Established basic physical facilities JOOUST has the basic infrastructure to enable CRIT to establish the necessary infrastructure to enhance research, training, technology development and transfer. Local and international linkages and collaborations The University has established a large number of collaborations and signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with many local and international organisations that have greatly enhanced its research output. Existing basic ICT facilities JOOUST has an existing basic ICT infrastructure to enable CRIT to access the necessary ICT services to enhance research, training, and technology development and transfer. The strategic location of the University The location of the JOOUST in a tropical setting has an advantage of attracting scholars and researchers from the international community who are interested in innovative research and technology transfer in Sub-Saharan Africa. CRIT will improve the quality of research and training through pooling of expertise in several areas including basic and applied sciences, health, agriculture, biodiversity, environment and social sciences. Budgetary Constraints Currently, CRIT draws its funding fromthe University which in turn relies on the National Government. This is grossly inadequate for CRIT’s activities. Being in a nascent Institution, CRIT needs a large pool of developmental and recurrent expenditure. Further still, most of the projects in CRIT are externally funded and although this is commendable, it is risky as CRIT may suffer in the future if these funds are no longer forthcoming. Inadequate requisite Infrastructure The University is still in the process of building the requisite infrastructure and therefore certain facilities needed for conduct of research such as highly equipped laboratories are not in place. Inadequate collaboration Although the University is already collaborating with other peer academic and research institutions and development partners, this remains inadequate and needs enhancement. Relatively new public University Being a relatively nascent University, JOOUST is still in the process of establishing and operationalising the requisite infrastructure, structures and systems to enable it to fully meet its mandate in development and also to be recognised internationally. Relatively low visibility amongst peers The visibility of JOOUST and by extension CRIT is still low. Inadequate ICT capacity ICT is a key driver for research, innovation, technology development and transfer. The current ICT infrastructure at JOOUST is not adequate to support the growing demands for its services. Inefficient procurement system The current procurement procedures have proved to be bureaucratic and tedious resulting in delays in meeting set targets, deadlines and opportunities. This greatly impairs efficiency and undermines collaborative activities. Increased autonomy to Universities The Government of Kenya has directed State corporations to embrace modern business management practices. State corporations boards have therefore been accorded relative autonomy in running their respective organisations. JOOUST, through CRIT, shall seize upon this opportunity to positions itself as a major player in innovative research, technology development and transfer. Increased awareness on the role of STI in sustainable development In the recent past, the government has recognised the important role of STI in sustainable national development. To this end, it has not only increased the number of STI institutions but also increased funding for STI activities. CRIT will take advantage of this opportunity to mobilise additional resources for its development and activities. The University, through the CRIT, needs to enhance collaboration with the national and county governments, communities, civil society organisations, industries, international organisations, peer institutions and other stakeholders to enhance innovative research, technology development and transfer. Growing demand for postgraduate studies The demand for postgraduate education in the country has been on the increase. Since CRIT intends to offer specialised postgraduate programmes, it shall seize upon this opportunity to enhance student enrollment, their uptake and participation in innovative research, technology development and transfer. Growing demand for consultancy services The University has a large pool of experts in diverse fields and CRIT will tap on and coordinate this expertise to provide multidisciplinary consultancy services. Training and extension services Existing ICT capacity The rapid and continuing growth and developments of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) has had a major impact in Kenya. The existing and developing ICT infrastructure in the University provides great opportunities to improve the quality, effectiveness and flexibility of teaching, training, research and mentorship programmes. CRIT has the opportunity to embed its requirement in the developing ICT infrastructure of the University. Rapid technological advances The technological advances and convergence of technologies have transformed the way people live and work. CRIT shall adapt to the technological changes in order to diversify and enhance the quality of research, training and technology development. Unstable macroeconomic environment Various effects in the national scene such as droughts, floods, social and economic instability have resulted in reduced government funding and at times the already allocated funds for development and recurrent expenditures is further reduced. Given that CRIT currently receives the bulk of its funding from the government through the University, this is considered as a threat to the development of CRIT. Competition from other development challenges The government tends to focus on more serious national challenges such as security, health, food as well as nutrition security and this could affect funding for research and training activities in the country. Competition from other institutions Existing and emerging institutions offering postgraduate training will be in direct competition with CRIT for postgraduate students. These institutions may offer modernised physical structures, and facilities. CRIT would have to build better infrastructure to compete with these institutes. Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement The stakeholder analysis includes stakeholder characteristics such as knowledge of research/innovation, policy, related interests, position for or against, potential alliances with other stakeholders, and ability to affect the process (through power and/or leadership). CRIT stakeholders are grouped into categories which include: international development partners (donors/collaborators), national political (legislators, governors), public (ministries/state departments), commercial/private for-profit, non-profit (non-governmental organsations [NGOs], foundations), civil society, users/consumers and suppliers. Stakeholder engagement is key to the strategic planning and implementation process and the preparation of this strategic plan involved consultations with the various categories of stakeholders at various stages of development. It is envisaged that future evaluations of the plan and programmes will also involve consultations with the various categories of stakeholders. Determination of the Strategic Options for CRIT Having carried out a SWOT analysis, further analysis was done to develop the strategic options and to ultimately identify high leverage strategies. Threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths (TOWS) were considered in a more systematic way than in the typical SWOT analysis. The TOWS analysis helped in focusing on leveraging strengths, avoiding weaknesses, making the most of opportunities and managing threats. Thus: How can CRIT employ its strengths to take advantage of the available opportunities? How can CRIT use its strengths to overcome identified threats? How can CRIT use the available opportunities to overcome the weaknesses? How will CRIT minimise its weaknesses to avoid the identified threats? The table below provides a summary of the analysis and the available strategic options. STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Focusing on its vision as a leading centre of excellence in research, innovation and technology development, CRIT will seek to achieve specified strategic long-, medium- and short-term objectives. This will be done through the undertaking of activities that optimise on the use of the available resources. CRIT has taken participatory approach by involving all stakeholders who share the vision and undertakings of the centre, and the commitments to the goals and programme activities. Consequently, the CRIT has identified four strategic goals and a set of strategic objectives to fulfill its mandate (Table 3). Strategic Goal 1: Make JOOUST a leading STI research university for sustainable development through CRIT. Promote access to adequate human capital for research and innovation Nurture globally competitive Kenyan enterprises through business incubation Diversify sources of research funding through grant proposal writing and resource mobilisation Strategic Framework Table IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION In view of the many interests (current and/or potential), the management system will be required to adequately respond to the needs and complex interests as well as provide a sensitive central linking / coordinating structure. The administrative structure will, therefore, provide clear links and authority, paying particular attention to the relationship between the various research and training activities and their management. Implementation Structure Implementation Approaches CRIT will need to be recognized not only as a highly skilled program delivery partner, but also as an acknowledged innovator and leader in the design and delivery of successful, sustainable programmes. In this regard, there will be need for: Allocating to CRIT, the resources to achieve the goals and strategies of the Strategic Plan; Acquiring the necessary infrastructure for research, training, consultancy and business incubation services; Attracting and retaining the requisite top talent human resource capacity for the activities of the Centre Engaging the private sector to support technology uptake Adopting a comprehensive and aggressive communications and marketing programme to enhance the visibility and influence of CRIT; Marketing, writing grant proposals and expanding external funding of CRIT to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan; Monitoring and regularly reporting on the CRIT progress in implementing the Strategic Plan; Preparing quarterly and annual work plans to operationalise the Strategic Plan; Periodically reviewing implementation of the Strategic Plan. Working together to consult, coordinate, collaborate and communicate. Implementation Matrix Develop a Monitoring and Evaluation framework for CRIT CRIT will develop an M&E framework to ensure consistency, accuracy and timely reporting of the activities of the Centre. Continual data collection and analysis CRIT will conduct continual data collection, analyse the output and compare against targets and indicators of success. Reports shall be submitted to the Management for decision-making. Performance supervision The Director shall supervise performance of all functions to ensure that the Strategic Plan is implemented. Review M meetings CRIT shall hold regular performance review meetings to assess the status of the Strategic Plan. Quarterly Sstatus R reviews CRIT shall conduct quarterly reviews, compile quarterly reports and submit the same to management. Annual Strategic Plan performance audits CRIT shall conduct an annual performance audit to evaluate performance progress, impact and relevance. Policy rreviews Based on the results of the M&E reports, CRIT shall review policies, strategies and activities with a view to improving performance. Assumptions and Risks Implementation of this Strategic Plan is premised on the assumptions and risks listed below. That the University will continue allocating sufficient resources for operations of the CRIT; That partners and stakeholders will continue supporting endeavours of the CRIT; That our offerings match the stakeholders expectations. Social, Environmental, Political and Legal; Delays in disbursement of resources; Delays in facilitating procurement of materials; Availability of adequate expertise; Professional Risks. CRIT will operate under the Division of Research Innovation and Outreach. The Director will oversee the day-to-day running of the Centre. The Centre will be governed by a board to be constituted by the DVC, RIO. CRIT will be expected to take up the challenge of responding adequately to national, regional and international needs. It must have relative autonomy and legitimacy as a centre for reputable and innovative research and training in order to attract national, regional and international attention and support. The Centre requires a basic administrative structure of its own for it to effectively manage the various activities and satisfy the various interests in research, training and community outreach. To this end, the following structure needs to be considered and be in place in the next five years. List of Selected Stakeholders Internal (JOOUST) Researchers and Technology Developers Central Government / State Departments MOEST MOIED MO Labour (Employment) The National Treasury Trade and East African Affairs Regulation / Accrediting / Certification Bodies Commission for University Education Kenya Bureau of Standards NACOSTI National Industrial Training Authority KEPHIS Agro-Industries James Finlay Trade/Commerce State Corporations LBDA KVDA Miwani Sugar Co. Muhuroni Sugar Co Mumias Sugar Co. Sony Sugar Co West Sugar Peer Institutions (Universities and Research Institutions) All public and private universities in Kenya Kenya Medical Research Institute Kenya Forest Research Institute Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Kenya Industrial Research Development Institute (KIRDI) Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF) Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisations (KALRO) International Research & Donor Agencies Office of Centre for Research, Innovation and Technology - Staff Members Designation Name View staff profile (Biography, CV, Publications and Research Groups) Director Dr.&nbspBenard &nbspMuok view profile Senior Research Fellow Dr.&nbspLorna &nbspOkotto view profile Senior Research Fellow Dr.&nbspHenry &nbspOgola view profile Senior Research Fellow Mr.&nbspK. Aduda view profile Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) Bondo (Main) Campus P.O. Box 210 - 40601 Bondo – Kenya. Orange Wireless: 057-2501804 information@jooust.ac.ke complaints@jooust.ac.ke Admission Letter Downloads Programmes and Admission Requirements Main Campus Teaching Timetables Siaya Leaning Center Teaching Timetables Exam Notices University Repository External Open Courses Research Products and Innovations Corporate Emails University Procedures Leave form University Calender Tenders and Request for Quotations Citizens Service Delivery Charter Access to Information Implimentation JOOUST Quality Statement External Useful Links Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM) CDELTA Copyright © 2020 Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University for Science and Technology - JOOUST. All Rights Reserved. JOOUST (C) 2013. All Rights Reserved :: JOOUST IS ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24751
__label__wiki	0.897212	0.897212	Josh's Dartistry Players Championship Order of Merit Pro Tour Order of Merit! Tag: Cody Harris Ashton shines on a night of history despite Ally Pally exit! Lisa Ashton produced a valiant performance on her PDC World Championship debut, despite losing 3-1 to Jan Dekker on a groundbreaking opening night at the Alexandra Palace. Continue reading “Ashton shines on a night of history despite Ally Pally exit!” → 2018 PDC Qualifying Schools: Entries confirmed! There will be a record field of over 600 players competing in the 2018 PDC Qualifying Schools, as players battle it out for coveted PDC Tour Cards in Wigan and Hildesheim from January 18th-21st. Continue reading “2018 PDC Qualifying Schools: Entries confirmed!” → PDC World Championship 2018: Day Four Report! Vincent van der Voort and Keegan Brown produced brilliant displays to dump out Premier League stars Dave Chisnall and James Wade on a night of shocks at the Alexandra Palace on Sunday evening. Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Day Four Report!” → International Qualifiers confirmed for PDC World Championship! The field of international qualifiers for the 2018 World Darts Championship has been confirmed, with a total of 24 set to compete at the biggest tournament in world darts at the Alexandra Palace from December 14th-January 1st. Continue reading “International Qualifiers confirmed for PDC World Championship!” → 2017 Auckland Darts Masters: Day One Report! The Scottish duo of Gary Anderson and Peter Wright were dumped out on a dramatic opening day at the Auckland Darts Masters at the hands of Kyle Anderson and Corey Cadby, as Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld set up a tasty quarter-final clash at the Trusts Arena on Friday evening. Continue reading “2017 Auckland Darts Masters: Day One Report!” → 2017 Auckland Darts Masters Draw! Gary Anderson will begin the defence of his Auckland Darts Masters title against his name-sake Kyle Anderson, whilst emerging Australian Corey Cadby will lock horns UK Open champion Peter Wright. Continue reading “2017 Auckland Darts Masters Draw!” → Van Gerwen & Lewis to miss World Series triple-header in August! Michael van Gerwen & Adrian Lewis will miss out on next month’s World Series triple-header in Australia & New Zealand, as former World-Youth champion Michael Smith prepares to make his World Series debut down under. Continue reading “Van Gerwen & Lewis to miss World Series triple-header in August!” → Sydney Darts Masters- Day One Report! Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC Kyle Anderson and Rhys Mathewson delighted the Sydney crowd with victories over Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade respectively, whilst Phil Taylor began the defence of his title with a hard-fought win against Corey Cadby at The Star on Thursday evening. Kyle Anderson was in sensational form as he reeled off six consecutive legs to defeat five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld 6-1. Van Barneveld hit a maximum and converted a 71 checkout to open his account, but ‘The Original’ responded superbly, averaging just shy of 100 to set up a quarter-final clash with Michael van Gerwen. Van Gerwen produced the performance of the day as he eased past New Zealand number one Cody Harris, with a 107.89 average. The Dutchman made a blistering start and was averaging 126 after three legs, but Harris reduced the arrears to 3-2. However, MvG was not to be denied, taking out finishes of 84, 72 and 71 to secure an emphatic 6-2 victory. Rhys Mathewson caused the shock of the tournament, as he fought back from 5-2 down to dump out eight-time major winner James Wade. Wade looked to be heading for a comprehensive victory, but the 28-year-old from Melbourne capitalised on ‘The Machine’s missed match darts to force a last-leg shootout. In the deciding leg, Mathewson registered his fifth maximum and pinned tops, to seal a brilliant comeback victory on his TV debut. Continue reading “Sydney Darts Masters- Day One Report!” → Sydney Darts Masters 2016 Draw! Phil Taylor will begin the defence of his Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters title against Australia’s emerging star Corey Cadby, whilst world number one Michael van Gerwen will take on New Zealand’s Cody Harris, when the PDC World Series of Darts event kicks off at The Star on Thursday. Taylor is yet to taste defeat in Sydney, having won all three of the tournament’s previous stagings. Nevertheless, the 56-year-old will face a tough test in the shape of Cadby. The 21-year-old Tasmanian has won an impressive seven DPA titles this year, and will be relishing the prospect of making his televised debut against ‘The Power’. World number one Michael van Gerwen will take on New Zealand’s number one Cody Harris, who impressed in this year’s World Cup of Darts. Van Gerwen could face his Dutch compatriot Raymond van Barneveld in the quarter-finals, although Van Barneveld has been handed a very tough draw against world number 30 Kyle Anderson. Anderson defeated the Dutchman 6-5 in Sydney two years ago, although the five-time world champion will be hoping to avenge that defeat this time around. Australia’s number one Simon Whitlock will lock horns with eighth seed Peter Wright, who is yet to go beyond the quarter-finals of any World Series event in 2016. Elsewhere, Adrian Lewis, the 2015 Auckland Darts Masters winner, faces the experienced Kiwi Rob Szabo, twice a PDC World Championship qualifier. Continue reading “Sydney Darts Masters 2016 Draw!” → Proudly powered by WordPress Theme: Baskerville 2.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24752
__label__wiki	0.688311	0.688311	Home Peo...People Groups Druze / in All France Israel Jordan Lebanon Syria United Kingdom United States Druze in Jordan Photo Source: Israeli Ministry of Tourism Creative Commons Used with permission Arabic, North Levantine Spoken ☀ Frontier Map Source: Institute of Druze Studies Send us an updated map of this people group Druze refer to themselves as 'Mowahhidoon' (plural) or 'Mowahhid' (singular), which means "monotheistic". They are commonly referred to as "Druze", a name derived from el-Drzi, the name of one of the known propagandists of the Druze religion at its beginning. There are sources suggesting that the Druze were a people of their own even before conversion to the faith of al-Hakim, a Muslim caliph. Unsubstantiated theories say the Druze are descendants of Persian colonists, while another theory says they are of Christian descent, from the time of the crusades. The latter is not very likely, because the first crusade came about 80 years after al-Hakim's disappearance. Druze do not seek their own country, but they are loyal to the country which governs their land. They can be found in Israel, Lebanon, and Syria, and are said to be the best warriors because they are not afraid to die. Druze are village and mountain dwellers, attached only to their individual plots of land and property, harboring no separatist national aspirations. They follow a lifestyle of isolation. Conversion, both to and from their faith is forbidden. Soon after the religion was founded, they stopped making new converts and have instead perpetuated themselves through their children. Until recently, most girls were married between the ages of 12 and 15, and most men at the age of 16 or 17. When Druze live among people of other religions, they try to blend in, to protect their religion and for safety. They can pray as Muslims or as Christians, depending on where they are living. This system seems to now be changing in response to higher security, allowing Druze to be more open about their religious beliefs. Druze have earlier been reported to practice polygamy, but there is no evidence of this practice among Druze today. Druze abstain from wine and tobacco, as there are clear prohibitions against any practice that could involve profanity of their religion. Druze have a strong sense of community, and they consider themselves related, even across country borders. The religion of the Druze began in the 9th century AD, as a sect of Islam. Darazi, a preacher, and Hamza ibn Ali ibn Ahmad, a Persian mystic, were instrumental in popularizing the religion. They announced that God had manifested himself in human form as al-Hakim Bi-amr Allah (985 or 996-1021 AD), a Muslim caliph from Cairo, Egypt. They now believe that Darazi began to distort the message; his writings are now considered blasphemous. Druze hold the Qur'an to be sacred, but look upon it as an outer shell, holding an "inner, esoteric meaning". Their religious texts are known collectively as "Kitab Al Hikma", the book of wisdom. This is a collection of books, of which the first six are most commonly used. They are firmly monotheistic, believing in a single God. They recognize seven major prophets, including Adam, Abraham, and Jesus (who they believe only to be the son of Joseph). Each major prophet had seven minor prophets; each of the latter had twelve disciples. Druze believe in the transmigration of the soul. That is, at death, one's soul is instantaneously reincarnated (in time and space), and it is reborn into another life. Their concept of heaven and hell is spiritual in nature. It is believed that heaven is the ultimate happiness that the soul encounters when it unites and meets its creator. Hell is the bitter feeling of being deprived endlessly of the glorious presence of the Almighty. Druze have lived in parts of northern Israel since the 16th century, and with the establishment of the State in 1948, joined their destiny with the people of Israel. Over the years, more than 300 of their men have given their lives in the country's defense. The Druze have yet to reap the full benefits of the society they do so much to defend. Israel has worked to address the community's needs by connecting Druze villages to utility networks, upgrading health services, and adopting an initiative to boost academic achievement among the mainstream students. Spiritually the Druze need to meet their Maker in a personal way, opposed to an esoteric mental exercise offered in their religion. * Scripture Prayers for the Druze in Jordan. Profile Source: Middle East Resources People Name General Druze People Name in Country Druze Unreached Yes Frontier People Group Yes Pioneer Workers Needed 1 Affinity Bloc Arab World People Cluster Arab, Levant People Group Druze Ethnic Code CMT31 Country Jordan Region Africa, North and Middle East Continent Asia National Bible Society Website Primary Language Arabic, North Levantine Spoken (42,000 speakers) Language Code apc Ethnologue Listing People Groups Speaking Arabic, North Levantine Spoken Primary Language: Arabic, North Levantine Spoken Audio Recordings Arabic Bibles Online Film / Video The Story Film / Video Together Toward Growth Film / Video Together Toward Growth (EngSub) General God's Simple Plan Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version (SuperBible ) Primary Religion: Other / Small Religion Subdivision: Druze Photo Source Israeli Ministry of Tourism Creative Commons Used with permission Map Source Institute of Druze Studies Profile Source Middle East Resources	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24754
__label__wiki	0.505281	0.505281	Blue-Green Systems H2Open Journal Hydrology Research Ingenieria del agua Journal of Hydroinformatics Journal of Water & Climate Change Journal of Water & Health Journal of Water Reuse & Desalination Journal of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene for Development Water Practice & Technology Water Quality Research Journal Water Research X Water Science & Technology How to Promote your article About IWA Publishing About IWA Join IWA search filter All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Research Article\| March 19 2016 Enhancing accuracy of autoregressive time series forecasting with input selection and wavelet transformation H. D. Tran School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia E-mail: dungplus@yahoo.com N. Muttil College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, P.O. Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia Institute for Sustainability and Innovation, Victoria University, P.O. Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia B. J. C. Perera Journal of Hydroinformatics (2016) 18 (5): 791–802. https://doi.org/10.2166/hydro.2016.145 PDF LinkPDF H. D. Tran, N. Muttil, B. J. C. Perera; Enhancing accuracy of autoregressive time series forecasting with input selection and wavelet transformation. Journal of Hydroinformatics 1 September 2016; 18 (5): 791–802. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/hydro.2016.145 Autoregressive time series forecasting is common in different areas within water resources, which include hydrology, ecology, and the environment. Simple forecasting models such as linear regression have the advantage of fast runtime, which is attractive for real-time forecasting. However, their forecasting performance might not be acceptable when a non-linear relationship exists between model inputs and output, which necessitates the use of more sophisticated forecasting models such as artificial neural networks. This study investigates the performance and potential of a hybrid pre-processing technique to enhance the forecasting accuracy of two commonly used neural network models (feed-forward and layered recurrent neural network models) and a multiple linear regression model. The hybrid technique is a combination of significant input variable selection (using partial linear correlation) for reducing the dimensionality of the input data and input data transformation using discrete wavelet transform for decomposing the input time series into low and high frequency components. Two case study forecasting applications, namely, monthly inflow forecasting for a lake in Victoria (Australia) and weekly algal bloom predictions at a bay in Hong Kong were used to assess the forecasting ability of the models when used in conjunction with the hybrid technique. Results demonstrated that the hybrid technique can significantly improve the forecasting performance of all the models used. artificial neural networks, autoregressive forecast, input selection, multiple linear regression, wavelet decomposition Autoregressive time series forecasting is common in many different disciplines such as the financial sector and in water resources. The important feature of the autoregressive time series forecasting is the use of a model to forecast future values of a time series variable of interest in a process or a system through the use of its known past values. The goal of autoregressive time series forecasting is to provide accurate forecasts of the variable of interest, such as the foreign exchange rates (Vojinovic et al. 2001), streamflow (Wei et al. 2012), salinity (Maier et al. 2010), and chlorophyll (Cheng & Wei 2009). Such forecast information can be utilized in future operational planning of the system at hand. The general difficulty associated with autoregressive time series forecasting is the non-linear and non-stationary characteristics which are often encountered in most water-related time series data (Coulibaly et al. 2001). The non-linear characteristic of the time series data shows the dynamic relationship between past values (i.e., model inputs) and future values (i.e., model outputs) in a way that a small change in model inputs will affect model outputs significantly. Exponentially increasing the magnitude of model outputs due to a small change in model inputs is one example of non-linear behavior, while the effect is ignorable in the linear behavior (Makridakis et al. 2003). The non-linear characteristic is commonly modeled as a non-linear combination of model inputs to predict the model output. The non-stationary characteristic of the time series data is realistically considered as not having constant mean and/or constant variation within the time series (Tsay 2005). This characteristic can be observed through the seasonality and/or the trend in the time series data. However, the key consideration is not the time variation of data but whether the underlying process that generates the data is itself evolving (Cannas et al. 2006). This consideration is commonly taken into account by the use of a ‘random walk’ model, which assumes that the future value depends on the previous value plus a random noise in order to capture the non-stationary characteristic (Tsay 2005). Many forecasting models have been developed in the past. The multiple linear regression (MLR) model is among the simplest, which basically performs forecasts by fitting a linear relationship between inputs and outputs. Although the MLR model might be very attractive for real-time forecasting due to its simplicity, the MLR model is considered unsuitable for non-linear data, which necessitate the use of more sophisticated models (Elshorbagy et al. 2010; Jung et al. 2010). To overcome this limitation of linear models, various data-driven modeling techniques like artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and genetic programming (GP) have been proposed (Minns & Hall 1996; Babovic & Keijzer 2002; Liong et al. 2002; Yu et al. 2004). Among them, ANN models have been widely used for autoregressive time series forecasting over the last 15 years (Islam 2010; Maier et al. 2010; Arunkumar & Jothiprakash 2013). Several distinguishing features of ANN models make them valuable and attractive for forecasting tasks (Samarasinghe 2006; Maier et al. 2010). First, there are few a priori assumptions about the ANN models, and they learn from examples and capture the functional relationship in the data even if the underlying relationships are too complex to specify. Second, ANN models can generalize after learning from the sample data presented to them. Third, ANN models are universal functional approximators for any continuous function to the desired accuracy. There are many different types of ANN models, and among them, feed-forward neural networks (FFNN) and layered recurrent neural networks (LRNN) have gained attention in the literature for autoregressive time series forecasting (Güldal & Tongal 2010; Wei et al. 2012). FFNN are static and are the most commonly used architecture due to their simple framework (Güldal & Tongal 2010). The LRNN provide a representation of dynamic internal feedback loops to store information for later use and to enhance the efficiency of learning. The LRNN is more suited for mapping problems that involve auto-correlated samples (Parlos et al. 2000). However, the forecasting accuracy of ANN models has not always been high. For example, in a recent study by Wang et al. (2009) involving ANN models for forecasting monthly streamflow time series at two different case study locations, one demonstrated a high Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient (E) value of 0.87 while the other had an E value of 0.61 between observed and forecasted streamflow values for the validation dataset. Furthermore, there is limited information on comparative performances between feed-forward and RNN on the autoregressive time series forecasting. Recently, input selection techniques have been used for reducing the number of model inputs, and can improve forecasting performance in some cases (May et al. 2008; Tran et al. 2015). Input selection techniques can be basically divided into two approaches, namely, model-free and model-based approaches (Fernando et al. 2009). Model-free approaches use statistical measures of dependence to determine the strength of the relationship between candidate model inputs and the model output. The partial linear correlation (PLC) technique is the simplest model-free technique, which can select inputs that are linearly correlated with outputs. The PLC technique has been used in several studies (Tiwari et al. 2013; Valipour et al. 2013; Liu et al. 2014). The partial mutual information (PMI) technique (Fernando et al. 2009) is another model-free technique which can select inputs that are non-linearly related with outputs. On the other hand, model-based approaches use the performance of calibrated models with different inputs as the basis for choosing the most appropriate inputs. ANN and GP based techniques are examples of the model-based approach. Muttil & Chau (2007) compared two model-based approaches (ANN and GP) for selecting ecologically significant inputs for algal bloom prediction. They showed that both these methods produced similar results. Tran et al. (2015) conducted a comparative study between PLC, PMI, and GP techniques on four hypothetical and two real datasets. They found that there are differences in significant inputs selected by these techniques. However, in terms of forecasting performance, inputs selected by the PLC technique provided similar forecasting performance with inputs selected by the PMI and GP techniques when tested using ANN models. Another approach that has also been recently used to improve the forecasting performance of ANN models is input preprocessing using wavelet transformation (Adamowski & Sun 2010; Wei et al. 2012; Tiwari et al. 2013). The wavelet transformation is used to decompose an input variable into a set of linear components with high and low frequency. Such decomposition can be considered to separate the non-stationary and stationary parts, which becomes particularly useful for autoregressive time series forecasting. However, in their study, the effect of different wavelet parameters including wavelet functions and decomposition levels have not been investigated. In this study, the overall objective was to improve the performance of autoregressive time series forecasting by using a hybrid combination of significant input selection and input preprocessing using wavelet transformation. Several studies have used the hybridization of various techniques to enhance the forecasting accuracy (Kisk 2010; Cao et al. 2013; Sun et al. 2014). However, as far as the authors are aware, the hybridization of the PLC technique for input selection (used in this study because of its simplicity) with wavelet decomposition to improve the forecasting performance of MLR and ANN models has not been undertaken in the past. The major contributions of this paper are as follows: (i) A hybrid technique that combines input selection using the PLC technique with wavelet decomposition for MLR and ANN models is investigated for enhancing autoregressive time series forecasting. (ii) Wavelet transformation has been demonstrated to be useful for improving time series forecasting. This study analyzes the sensitivity of different decomposition levels and different wavelet functions on the forecasting performance. (iii) The improvement in performance of two popularly used ANN models (FFNN and LRNN) when used in conjunction with input selection and wavelet transformation is analyzed. The remainder of this paper is structured as follows. Brief descriptions of feed-forward and layered recurrent ANN models, and then PLC and wavelet decomposition techniques are presented in the next section. A description of the performance indicators used in this study to evaluate the performance of the models is also included in the next section. This is followed by a description of the two case study datasets. Results and discussion are then presented, which is followed by the conclusions drawn from this study. Figure 1 presents a flow chart of the input processing techniques used and the ANN models that are compared in this study. The first set of inputs is all probable inputs (called Original inputs). The PLC technique is then applied to the Original inputs to produce the second and reduced set of inputs (called PLC-selected inputs). The discrete wavelet decomposition (DWD) technique is then applied to the PLC-selected inputs to create the third set of inputs (called PLC-Wavelet inputs). These three sets of inputs are used as inputs for MLR, FFNN, and LRNN models and the predicted outputs are compared using various performance indicators. Brief descriptions of feed-forward and layered recurrent ANN models are also provided in this section. The MLR model is well known and hence is not presented. This is followed by descriptions of the PLC input selection technique, wavelet decomposition technique, and the performance indicators used to evaluate the models. Detailed explanations of the techniques used in this study can be found in the relevant references presented in each of the following sub-sections. View largeDownload slide Flow chart of input processing techniques and the models compared in this study. ANN models Many types of ANN have been developed in the last few decades, starting with the well-known multilayer perceptron structure (Samarasinghe 2006). Each perceptron is a signal processing unit, and a network of connected perceptrons is capable of performing classifying and forecasting tasks. The classifying and forecasting tasks are done through two-step processes of training (i.e., learning from sample data) and simulation (i.e., generalizing to classify or forecast). Multilayer perceptron networks are further classified into static FFNN and dynamic RNN with regards to how signals are transferred between layers of perceptron. In the static FFNN, signals essentially propagate in a forward direction, while a backward propagation of so-called feedback signals can occur in the RNN (Güldal & Tongal 2010). The static FFNN with a typical layout, as shown in Figure 2(a), can achieve satisfactory analytical outcomes if sufficient data are available. Nevertheless, the static neural networks may have difficulty in modeling the temporal or short-term dynamic properties. The FFNN was investigated in this study. A typical layout of (a) a feed-forward neural network and (b) LRNN (adapted from Güldal & Tongal 2010). The RNN, on the other hand, has some feedback loops from the output layer or hidden layer to the input layer, as shown in Figure 2(b). The RNN allows signals to propagate in both forward and backward directions, which offers the network dynamic memories (Samarasinghe 2006). In other words, RNN has the capacity associated with the feedback loops to delay and store information from the previous time step that is not present in the architecture of feed-forward networks. The presence of these feedback loops has a profound impact on the learning capability and performance of the neural network, which allows the network to capture the true hidden dynamic memories or autoregressive components of nonlinear time series systems (Carcano et al. 2008). The RNN has been proved to be a powerful method for handling complex systems such as nonlinear time-varying systems. A LRNN, which is a form of RNN, is also investigated and compared with the FFNN in this study. The linear correlation function is a bivariate statistic that measures how two variables X and Y co-vary in a linear manner which also can be visually examined using a scatter plot (Makridakis et al. 2003). In time series data, when Yt has a correlation with its past data Yt−h (h being the number of time lag), the is known as autocorrelation (Tsay 2005). On the other hand, if Yt has a linear correlation with Xt−h of a different time series, the is known as lag-h cross-correlation. The can be estimated from the sample data of X and Y using Equation (1) below. where x and y are sample values of X and Y, N is the sample size and and are the sample means. However, the linear correlation function alone is unable to detect the so-called ‘bridge correlation’. For example, Yt has auto-correlation with Yt−1. This means that Yt−1 will automatically have correlation with Yt−2 due to the nature of time series data, and thus Yt−2 is also automatically correlated with Yt (i.e., bridge correlation) through Yt−1. The PLC is often used to detect the true linear relationship between Yt and Yt−2 by removing the effect of Yt−1. The partial correlation coefficients which represent the true level of linear relationship between Yt and Yt−2 controlling on Yt−1 and Yt−3 (for example) can be found by computing the correlation (using Equation (1)) between two residuals from two MLR models as shown in Equations (2)–(5) (Tsay 2005): where ai,j and bi,j are regression coefficients, rt−2 and rt,2 are the residuals in MLR models for Yt−2 and Yt, respectively, on the remaining variables, and εt is the error term. The same procedure can be applied when Yt has cross-correlation with Xt−2 through Xt−1 of a different time series. The partial correlation coefficients are often statistically tested using the significant t-test with 95% confidence in the MLR analysis, in order to avoid selection of significant inputs by chance. In this study, a variable is considered statistically significant if its partial correlation coefficients pass the t-test and have a value larger than 0.1. The MLR analysis of the statistical software package IBM SPSS was used to implement this technique. Preprocessing of input data has been recently used to enhance the performance of ANN models (Wu et al. 2009). The goal of data preprocessing is to identify important characteristics such as trend, oscillation, and noise in order to attain better predictability, because the time series data have time varying signals with static and dynamic components. Among the available data preprocessing techniques, wavelet decomposition has demonstrated good performance in several forecasting studies (Wu et al. 2009; Kisl & Cimen 2011; Wei et al. 2012). The underlying principle of this data preprocessing technique is to decompose the time series data of interest into several time series components, which are then used as model inputs to forecast the future value of the time series data. Wavelet analysis is capable of revealing aspects of data such as trend and discontinuities (Catalao et al. 2011). It is performed based on wavelet transformation or decomposition that can decompose an original time series into a set of component time series. The sum of these component time series becomes the original time series. In general, wavelet decomposition is mathematically expressed as follows (Cannas et al. 2006): where CWT(τ,s,ψ) are the continuous transform coefficients of a continuous wavelet transformation of a time series data Y(t); τ is the scale or frequency parameter; s is the position or shifting parameter; and ψ is the transforming function or wavelet. A wavelet is a waveform of effectively limited duration that has an average value of zero. In comparison, sine waves, which are the basis of Fourier analysis, do not have limited duration and extend from minus to plus infinity. While sinusoids are smooth and predictable, wavelets tend to be irregular and asymmetric. The CWT(τ,s,ψ) provides the local similarity between the time series data and the wavelet at a particular τ and s. However, the shortfall of the continuous wavelet transformation is that there are numerous pairs (τ, s) that can be used, thus resulting in redundant information and enormous computational effort in such a continuous domain (Kisl & Cimen 2011). Furthermore, many practical time series data (except electrical signals) are discrete in nature. DWD was introduced to overcome the mentioned shortfall associated with continuous wavelet decomposition (Kisl & Cimen 2011). In the discrete domain, values of pair (τ, s) are limited to powers of two and are dependent on two integer parameters m and n (Kisl & Cimen 2011): where DWT(m,n,ψ) are the discrete transform coefficients of discrete transformation of time series data Y(t) with length N; m indicates the level of decomposition (m < M with N=2M) and the value of n is dependent on m. As a result of discrete wavelet transformation, a given time series data Y(t) can be decomposed as: where Am(t) is called the approximation component time series and Dm(t) is called the detail component time series. From Equation (8), it can be seen that starting from the left side, A1(t) and D1(t) are obtained by discrete wavelet transformation of Y(t) and then A2(t) and D2(t) are obtained by discrete wavelet transformation of A1(t), and so on. In theory, Am(t) represents the low frequency part of the signal, which is smooth and has a trend, while Dm(t) represents the high frequency part, which has fluctuation or noise (Catalao et al. 2011). The performance of DWD is dependent on the choice of wavelet function ψ and decomposition levels. However, there are no guidelines for selecting the wavelet function and decomposition levels for a particular case. The ‘Haar’ wavelet function, which is the simplest wavelet and resembles a step function (Taylor 2009), is used for DWD in this study. Furthermore, three levels of decomposition, as found in several other studies (Choi et al. 2011; Kisl & Cimen 2011) are chosen for this study. Finally, an analysis of the forecasting performance of other wavelet functions and decomposition levels is also conducted in this study. Model performance in this study was evaluated using three performance indicators, the mean square error (MSE), Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (E), and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), as shown in Equations (9)–(11) (Carcano et al. 2008). The MSE quantifies the differences between observed and predicted values along the time series axis, and penalizes the large differences because of its square power. Minimizing of MSE is commonly used as the training objective in ANN models (Samarasinghe 2006). This allows the ANN models to better capture peak values of time series data. E captures the goodness of fit of the model of interest by comparing it with a naïve model in which the mean value is used as the predicted values. The value of E lies between one and minus infinity. A value of unity implies that the model exactly matches observations, zero implies that the model is no better than assuming the mean value, and a negative value indicates that the mean values of the observed time series is a better predictor than the model. However, the limitations of MSE and E are that they are unable to provide the practical assessment of difference between predicted and observed values. For example, MSE provides the same value of 4 between observation of 1,000 and prediction of 1,002, and observation of 1 and prediction of 3. However, it is obvious that the former prediction is a much better prediction. The MAPE was therefore used in this study in addition to the well-known MSE and E, to provide a scale-free percentage difference between observed and predicted values (Coulibaly et al. 2001). where n is the number of data points. In this study, two real-world case study datasets have been used. Data #1 is based on a monthly time series of inflow (m3) to Lake Eildon in Victoria, Australia. The monthly inflow data used is from January 1891 to June 2007. Lake Eildon was constructed to protect farmers during drought years and to provide irrigation water for what was a vast uncultivated area in the northern plains of Victoria. This region has since become the largest area of irrigated farmland in Australia, which is known as the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District. Construction of the lake took place in several development stages. The last development stage, completed in 1955, enlarged the storage to its present capacity of 3,334,158 ML. The enlargement plans also considered Victoria's electricity needs. The original 15 MW hydro-electric generation capacity was increased to 120 MW. The oldest turbines were renovated in 2001 to provide a generation capacity of 135 MW. Figure 3 shows the monthly time series plot of Data #1. The probable inputs for the one-month ahead forecast of the inflow Yt are assumed to depend on the time lagged values of Yt until Yt−15 (i.e., from Yt−1 to Yt−15). Time series plot of monthly streamflow (m3) (Data #1). Data #2 is a time series of daily chlorophyll-a values (an indicator of algal biomass), which has been used for predicting chlorophyll concentrations (μg/L) in Tolo Harbor in Hong Kong (Muttil & Chau 2006, 2007). The 7-day ahead chlorophyll concentration Yt depends on its own time lagged variables (i.e., from Yt−7 to Yt−13). The following eight variables were also assumed to be influential for the prediction of chlorophyll concentrations at Tolo Harbour: total inorganic nitrogen, X1 (mg/L); phosphorus, X2 (mg/L); dissolved oxygen, X3 (mg/L); secchi-disc depth, X4 (m); water temperature, X5 (°C); daily rainfall, X6 (mm); daily solar radiation, X7 (MJ/m2), and daily average wind speed, X8 (m/s). Figure 4 shows the time series plot of daily chlorophyll concentrations used in Data #2. Time series plot of daily chlorophyll concentrations (μg/L) (Data #2). Input preprocessing Three types of model inputs (as summarized in Table 1) were used in this study for the two case studies to investigate the effectiveness of input selection and wavelet transformation on the autoregressive forecasting. The first type of input is called ‘Original inputs' and these are created by selecting all probable inputs for forecasting. These Original inputs are not subjected to either of the 2 input preprocessing techniques. As shown in Table 1, for Data #1, a set of 15 time lagged inputs (i.e., Yt−1 to Yt−15) is used to forecast the current value, Yt. For Data #2, nine variables are used as input, which include the eight variables presented earlier along with chlorophyll itself. For each of these nine variables, a time lag of 7–13 days is used (giving a total of 63 inputs) for the 7-day ahead forecasting of chlorophyll concentrations. Types of model inputs applied to the two datasets Type of model inputs Data #1 Original inputs All probable inputs to forecast the current value Yt Yt−1, Yt−2,…, Yt−15 (15 inputs) Yt−7, Yt−8,…, Yt−13 X(1)t−7, X(1)t−8,…, X(1)t−13;X(2)t−7, X(2)t−8,…, X(2)t−13…;X(8)t−7, X(8)t−8,…, X(8)t−13 (63 inputs) PLC-selected inputs Inputs selected by PLC technique from the Original inputs Yt−1, Yt−11, Yt−13, Yt−15 (4 inputs) Yt−7, Yt−8, Yt−13 (3 inputs) PLC-Wavelet inputs Inputs created by which wavelet transformation is applied on PLC inputs D1t−1,D1t−11, D1t−13, D1t−15; D2t−1,D2t−11, D2t−13, D2t−15; D3t−1,D3t−11, D3t−13, D3t−15; A3t−1,A3t−11, A3t−13, A3t−15; (16 wavelet inputs) D1t−7,D1t−8, D1t−13; D2t−7,D2t−8, D2t−13; D3t−7,D3t−8, D3t−13; A3t−7,A3t−8, A3t−13; (12 wavelet inputs) The second type of input is called PLC-selected inputs, which are identified by applying the PLC technique on the Original inputs. As can be seen from Table 1, the PLC technique selected 4 inputs out of 15 probable inputs for Data #1 while only 3 inputs are selected out of 63 inputs for Data #2. The third type of inputs are called the PLC-Wavelet inputs, which are created by applying the DWD technique on the PLC inputs. For each input variable (e.g., Yt−1), four components are created (e.g., D1t−1, D2t−1,…,D3t−1, A3t−1) for three decomposition levels as per Equation (8). As a result, for Data #1, a total of 16 wavelet inputs are created while a total of 12 inputs are made for Data #2, as shown in Table 1. In this study, the PLC technique was implemented using the SPSS software package and the DWD technique was implemented using the Wavelet Toolbox of the Matlab software package. Forecasting performance The FFNN and LRNN were implemented using the Neural Network Toolbox of Matlab. Both FFNN and LRNN models used only one hidden layer for ease of comparison. The MLR models were also implemented using Matlab. All datasets were divided into training (60%), validating (20%), and testing (20%) datasets. The testing dataset was the last 20% of the time series data. The training and validation datasets are randomly selected to have a better chance of representative learning data for FFNN and LRNN models. As indicated in the flow chart of the methodology (presented in Figure 1), the original inputs (made up of the training dataset) are used as input for the PLC to select the significant inputs, called the PLC-selected inputs. The PLC-selected inputs are then decomposed by the DWD to generate the PLC-Wavelet inputs. For the purpose of comparison, the original inputs (containing all probable inputs), the PLC-selected inputs and the PLC-Wavelet inputs are used as inputs for all three forecasting models. The training and validation datasets were used in the training process in FFNN and LRNN models in which the training dataset was used to provide ‘learning knowledge’, while the validation dataset was used to avoid over-fitting. The MLR model used the initial 80% of the dataset for calibrating without splitting into a validation dataset. The testing dataset was used only for assessing the forecasting performance of the MLR, FFNN, and LRNN models. Both two datasets were scaled between [−1, 1] and were then used for training and testing. The training process for FFNN and LRNN models was carried out using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (Samarasinghe 2006). The least square method (Tsay 2005) was used for the calibration of the MLR model. The single objective of minimizing MSE was used in the training process of all models. The remaining two performance indicators (i.e., E and MAPE) were then computed using the training (i.e., combination of training and validation) and testing outcomes. A suitable number of hidden neurons for FFNN and LRNN models was selected using trial and error. The results are presented in Table 2 only for the testing performances. Performances of the MLR and ANN models for the testing dataset with the different inputs MLR Original inputs – 0.052 119.3 0.567 – 0.030 26.2 0.769 PLC-selected inputs – 0.047 106.7 0.570 – 0.024 25.5 0.770 PLC-Wavelet inputs – 0.026 85.1 0.702 – 0.011 16.7 0.914 FFNN Original inputs 12 0.034 86.3 0.589 2 0.020 22.3 0.873 PLC-selected inputs 10 0.030 79.0 0.632 6 0.018 20.8 0.884 PLC-Wavelet inputs 16 0.022 77.8 0.732 6 0.009 16.8 0.944 LRNN Original inputs 12 0.035 104.2 0.580 2 0.021 24.1 0.867 hn, number of hidden neurons. The difficulty of forecasting for both the datasets was demonstrated through the E values of the MLR model using the Original inputs, as shown in Table 2. A higher level of difficulty was found with Data #1, with an E value of 0.567, as compared to that with Data #2 (with an E value of 0.769). The FFNN and LRNN produced slightly better performance in terms of MAPE and E than the MLR for Data #1 but their performances are much better than that of MLR for Data #2. The reason could be due to the non-linearity in Data #2 as compared to Data #1. Figures 5 and 6 show the time series plot for observed and predicted values of testing data of Data #1 and Data #2 by the different models. As can be seen in Figure 5, all models produced an underestimated forecast for Data #1 for most peak events. On the other hand, all models showed a better forecast for Data #2, as shown in Figure 6. Time series plot of monthly flow prediction using Original inputs for Data #1. Time series plot of 1-week ahead prediction of chlorophyll concentrations using Original inputs for Data #2. With regards to the effect of input selection, the forecasting performances of MLR, FFNN, and LRNN models showed slight improvement when the PLC-selected inputs were used. As can be seen from Table 2, the use of PLC-selected inputs slightly improved the performance of ANN models in all cases. Although the use of input selection provided a marginal improvement in forecasting performance, a secondary benefit is the reduction in computing time when only significant inputs are used. On the other hand, the use of the Wavelet inputs produced significant improvement in the testing performances for all models (MLR, FFNN, and LRNN), as demonstrated by the three performance indicators in Table 2 for both the datasets. Furthermore, as can be seen by comparing the time series plots in Figures 7 and 8 (that used the PLC-Wavelet inputs) with those in Figures 5 and 6 (for the Original inputs), the capture of peak values improved with PLC-Wavelet inputs for both the datasets. Time series plot of monthly flow prediction using PLC-Wavelet inputs for Data #1. Time series plot of weekly prediction of chlorophyll concentration (μg/L) using PLC-Wavelet inputs for Data #2. As far as the comparison of performances between FFNN and LRNN models is concerned, the LRNN model produced slightly better forecast performance than the FFNN model for Data #1 while both FFNN and LRNN produced similar forecasting performance for Data #2, which is demonstrated through three performance indicators presented in Table 2. On the other hand, both FFNN and LRNN outperformed the MLR for all three types of inputs. However, it is interesting to note that the performance gap between MLR and ANN models substantially reduced when PLC-Wavelet inputs were used. Sensitivity of wavelet parameters A sensitivity analysis was conducted to understand the effect of different levels of decomposition and the different wavelet functions used for producing the PLC-Wavelet inputs. In this study, three different decomposition levels are investigated and then four different wavelet functions are studied on Data #1 (i.e., monthly inflow values to Lake Eildon) using the FFNN model. As mentioned earlier, for decomposition level 3 of an input variable, there are four probable component inputs (i.e., D1, D2, D3, and A3), which were used as model inputs in this study (as shown in Table 1). The probable inputs for decomposition levels 1 and 2 of an input variable are A1 and D1 (for level 1) and D1, D2, and A2 (for level 2). For Data #1, the PLC technique selected four inputs and thus there will be a total of 8, 12, and 16 model inputs for the three different levels of decomposition, respectively. The sensitivity analyses for the three levels of decomposition for Data #1 are shown in Table 3. As can be seen from this table, level 2 of decomposition produced the best forecasting performance based on the MSE and E values, whereas level 3 is slightly better than level 2 decomposition based on the MAPE value. Performance of the FFNN model on the testing dataset of Data #1 for the three levels of input decomposition Performance indicators for data #1 PLC-Wavelet inputs Level 1 (8 inputs) 12 0.021 81.4 0.743 Level 2 (12 inputs) 20 0.018 78.9 0.786 Among the discrete wavelet functions available within the Matlab toolbox, the four commonly used wavelet functions, namely, the Haar wavelet, the Daubechies wavelet of order 3, Biorthogonal wavelet, and the Symlets wavelet of order 4 are used for the sensitivity analysis in this study. The FFNN model and level 2 of wavelet decomposition is used to compare the forecasting performance of the four different wavelet functions. The results presented in Table 4 show that the Daubechies wavelet of order 3 produced the best forecasting performance based on the MSE and E values, whereas the Symlets wavelet of order 4 produced the best forecasting performance based on the MAPE value. Performance of the FFNN model on the testing dataset of Data #1 for different wavelet functions Wavelet function Haar wavelet 20 0.018 78.9 0.786 Daubechies wavelet of order 3 4 0.016 62.4 0.802 Biorthogonal wavelet 16 0.018 51.1 0.782 Symlets wavelet of order 4 12 0.020 38.4 0.755 As expected, the MLR model is not suitable for non-linear datasets, as demonstrated by its low performance on both the case study datasets. However, when the hybrid technique is used to preprocess the inputs, the MLR model has a significantly improved forecasting performance that makes it still useful for on-line forecasting. Therefore, sophisticated models like ANN models should be used to improve forecasting performance only when simple models like MLR produce poor performances. This observation further clarifies one of the common beliefs of the M-competitions presented in Crone et al. (2011) that ‘sophisticated methods are not better than simpler methods'. The LRNN model did not significantly outperform the FFNN model, while it has a high computational time compared to that required by the FFNN model. This is understandable since the LRNN model has feedback loops, which require additional computing resources. It is observed that the use of PLC for input selection leads to a marginal improvement in the forecasting accuracy of both datasets and for all three models. On the other hand, the use of the DWD technique along with PLC inputs significantly improves the forecasting performance of all three models for both datasets. However, it still involves trial and error to identify the optimal DWD parameters. The sensitivity analysis of the different DWD parameters indicated that there are differences in forecasting performance for different levels of decomposition and with different wavelet functions. The level 2 decomposition and the Symlets wavelet might be the initial choice for these two DWD parameters. The DWD technique has the ability to decompose the time series signal into low and high frequency. Low frequency is often viewed as representative for mean values and high frequency is for variation (Kisk 2010). Such decomposition is similar to de-trending (or separating of the non-stationary signal), which makes it easier for ANN models or even MLR models to simulate time series data with improved forecasting performances. On the other hand, conventional de-trending (e.g., differencing) is often carried out for traditional statistical models (e.g., ARMA models), which require non-stationary signals to accurately forecast time series data. However, a negative effect of conventional de-trending is the loss of variation and peak values, which are vital for hydroinformatics applications such as streamflow and rainfall forecasting. Therefore, conventional de-trending is often not used in forecasting studies using data-driven models (e.g., Wang et al. 2009; Kisk 2010). Although the hybrid technique used in this study can improve the forecasting performance of both datasets, the forecasting accuracy is still not as high as expected. This indicates that the underlying mechanism of time series data is not yet fully captured and further development in the understanding of the underlying mechanism and mathematical modeling is necessary. This study investigated a hybrid technique using PLC (for input selection) and DWD (for separating the non-stationary part) for improving the forecasting performance of regression-based models such as ANN models and MLR models. Based on the forecasting results of two real-world case study datasets, this study concluded that the hybrid technique can significantly enhance the forecasting performance of both the simple MLR model and ANN models. Furthermore, the LRNN model produced similar forecasting performance to that of the FFNN model. As far as input selection is concerned, the use of the PLC technique can significantly reduce the number of model inputs while producing a minor impact on the forecasting performance of ANN models. The input transformation using the DWD technique leads to significant improvement in the performance of the ANN models as well as the MLR model. This was demonstrated not only through improved performance indicators, but also through better capturing of peak values. Thus, this study provided useful understanding regarding the improvement in performance of ANN models when used in conjunction with significant input selection and wavelet-based data transformation, which could be useful for researchers and practitioners involved in autoregressive time series forecasting of real-world applications. Adamowski Development of a coupled wavelet transform and neural network method for flow forecasting of non-perennial rivers in semi-arid watersheds J. Hydrol. 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Comparison of the ARMA, ARIMA, and the autoregressive artificial neural network models in forecasting the monthly inflow of Dez dam reservoir Vojinovic Kecman A data mining approach to financial time series modelling and forecasting Int. J. Intell. Syst. Accounting Finance Manage. W.-C. C.-T. A comparison of performance of several artificial intelligence methods for forecasting monthly discharge time series S. K. J. X. Improving prediction accuracy of river discharge time series using a Wavelet-NAR artificial neural network Y. S. Predicting monthly streamflow using data-driven models coupled with data-preprocessing techniques Water Resour. Res. EC-SVM approach for real-time hydrologic forecasting © IWA Publishing 2016 Web Of Science (4) Optimisation of a fuzzy logic-based local real-time control system for mitigation of sewer flooding using genetic algorithms Deriving optimal operation of reservoir proposing improved artificial bee colony algorithm: standard and constrained versions Hydrology@Home: a distributed volunteer computing framework for hydrological research and applications Management of water distribution systems in PDA conditions using isolation valves: case studies of real networks Assessment of seasonal and annual rainfall trend in Calabria (southern Italy) with the ITA method ISSN 1464-7141 EISSN 1465-1734 IWA Publishing Alliance House, 12 Caxton Street, London, SW1H 0QS, UK Telephone:+44 207 654 5500 Fax:+44 207 654 5555 Email: publications@iwap.co.uk IWAPublishing.com IWA-network.org IWA-connect.org ©Copyright 2018 IWA Publishing	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24757
__label__wiki	0.517336	0.517336	More Election Notes on Facebook June 2, 2010 jamalashley During the current electoral process, I’ve been posting notes on Facebook. Here are my latest posts. Jamal Ashley Abbas Smartmatic and Comelec says that the time/date indicated in the ERs/COC are not important. Is there any important document that considers time as NOT important? If you get a pay slip that says it is payment for Jan. 2010, then you can go to court and demand to be paid for Feb to May 2010. Yet if the ER says the election took place in January, everybody should just laugh at the mistake? May 31, 8:07 pm Jamal Ashley Abbas Why is Smartmatic doing its presentation demo at Congress? They can do it a million times, so what?. Any salesman for a product will always present his product as perfect. Yet, as Pimentel pointed out, this perfect system made a “mistake” in the number of registered voters in the Congress server and hundreds of ERs/COCs show wrong time and date. As Pimentel said, Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus. May 31, 8:11 pm Jamal Ashley Abbas A little learning is a dangerous thing. Smartmatic can easily impress the IT knowledge-challenged congressmen. These congressmen, incl senators, should stick to what they know – like “the fruit of the poisonous tree” and the falsus uno, falsus omnibus legal principles. COMELEC did NOT follow the law’s (RA 9369) provisions in Sec. 3, 5, 7(n), 11,& 12. And they should try to UNDERSTAND what the IT experts are saying. June 1, 1:46 pm Jamal Ashley Abbas “ANC 24/7: Commissioner Larrazabal: I exhaustively explained earlier the concept of nullified votes before the members of the canvassing committee and lawyers for the candidates.” Larrazabal implies that the committee and the lawyers are numskulls. But the question is not on the DEFINITION of nullified votes. The question is on the ANOMALOUS NUMBER of nullified votes. June 1, 11:43 pm Jamal Ashley Abbas The camp of Roxas is asking why is there such an unusually big number of nullified votes for the VP slot — more than 2 million votes! Moreover, why is there an even bigger percentage of nullified votes for VP slot in Regions which are perceived to be Roxas’s bailiwicks? They are asking why would the Negrenses and other Ilonggos either not vote or not know how to vote for their Favorite Son? Comm. Larrazabal can “explain” until he is black and blue but that will not satisfy people who truly want to know the Truth. The only way this can be explained away is to check the ballots themselves (through the images in the CF cards) and see if indeed the people there either did not vote for VP or voted more than one candidate. Again, this is a question on the reliability of the PCOS machines. Really, it’s about time that some PCOS machines would really be put to a test. Check the ballot images if they really correspond to the results printed in the ER. This way is so much better than 1000 hours of “explanation” by Comelec and Smartmatic people. June 1, 11:43pm Jamal Ashley Abbas I thought nothing new can come out from Locsin’s committee anymore. Well, 20 CFcards and 2 “card burners” (sic) were sent to each province by Comelec. A resolution was released as early as April, before the “re-configuration” of the CF cards. And a Comelec ad said there were ~160,640 CF cards available b4 the May 3 incident. With the importation of 76,000 more cards, the country was AWASH with CF cards! June 2, 3:44 pm ANC 24/7 Tolentino: We did not keep this a secret that’s why we faxed this to our regional offices. These are contingency measures. I don’t think the Comelec has to inform congressional committee about all we are doing. June 2, 3:44 pm Jamal Ashley Abbas The CF cards are not the private properties of Comelec. The CF cards are a concern of the candidates, the political parties, PPCRV and other watchdog groups and ultimately, the Filipino people. His memo was sent on May 9, Sunday and the election was on May 10. Incredible! June2, 4:44 pm @ANC 24/7 Jamal Ashley Abbas Sen. Enrile to Dir. Tolentino: Why did it take them (DOST staff) up to early morning of May 10 to reconfigure only 20 CF cards? June 2, 4:50 pm Jamal Ashley Abbas Roxas’s lawyer motioned that some of the contested precincts’ ballots be viewed through the CF cards’ image files to settle once and for all the issue of nullified votes. Binay’s lawyer countered the motion. But I missed the ruling of the Board. Really, the Board should approve the motion to settle the issue. June 2, 7:05 pm Jamal Ashley Abbas Smartmatic kept on repeating that the way to check the veracity of the COCs is to counter-check them with the image (.jpe) files or the audit logs. But if the canvassing board will not allow it, what is the use of the Image files, then? For souvenirs for Comelec people? June 2, 7:08 pm added June 3, 2010 : Jamal Ashley Abbas I began doing computer programs in 1976 when most Filipinos haven’t yet seen computers. Humans control machines. I’ve seen NO PROOF that the PCOS machines counted the votes correctly. The best way to see it, accdg to Smartmatic and is allowed under canvassing rules, is to look at the Image Files (.jpe) of the ballots themselves. The Roxas camp is asking to do just that. We must not put our faiths blindly on machines. June 3, 7:40 pm Jamal Ashley Abbas On the other hand, there are many indicators of “weaknesses” or “mistakes” in the system. First is the erroneous TIME STAMPS of the ERs. Second is the malfunction of the CF cards ONE WEEK before the ELECTION. Third is the FLOODING of CF cards — the more than 160,000 CF cards stated in the COMELEC ad plus the importation of some 68,000 additional CF cards and the recently revealed 1,600 CF cards distributed to 80 provinces for “reconfiguration” on May 9. Fourth, the failure of any group to review the source codes. Fifth, the inconsistencies in Smartmatic and Comelec people’s testimonies. Sixth, Smartmatic’s Flores said the national servers opened only at 7pm of May 10 at the close of voting period. Yet the first transmission came at 5:42 pm. By 7pm 230 PCOS machines have already transmitted. Seventh, the SYSTEST report indicated so many UNRESOLVED ISSUES of the source codes. Eighth, the Randon Manual Account was held not as scheduled and without the presence of representatives of political parties and watchdog groups. Ninth, the breakdown and absence of so many PCOS machines as shown on TV and as testified in Congress. Tenth, the myriad complaints of people who went to Locsin’s congressional committee. And of course, all the tall tales running around the country about “election fixers”. June 3, 8:03 pm ========== SEE RELATED POSTS ========= NOTES ON FB: PRE-ELECTION DAY NOTES ON FB: ELECTION DAY AND A WEEK AFTER NOTES ON FB: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY Tagged ANC 24/7, COMELEC, congress hearing, elections, larrazabal, philippine, SMARTMATIC Published by jamalashley View all posts by jamalashley Previous postElection Notes on Facebook: Congressional Inquiry Next postHijacking Debacle in Manila	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24762
__label__cc	0.719344	0.280656	Will OSGi Ever Infiltrate the Enterprise? April 13, 2010 Jessica Thornsby #apache #aries #dm server #eclipse #enterprise #ibm #java #open source #osgi #paremus infiniflow #springsource #websphere Right now, OSGi is the most widely acclaimed technology that nobody is using, writes Kirk Knoerschild. “Of the more than 6 million Java developers worldwide, those using OSGi and designing modular applications is only a very small fraction,” states Kirk Knoerschild in his latest blog post. Why is this the case? Knoerschild has a few thoughts on the matter. Two of the technological factors hindering OSGi adoption – particularly in the enterprise – include a lack of platform and tooling support for building OSGi based server-side applications. In a previous blog, Knoerschild listed SpringSource dm Server and Paremus Infiniflow as the only products he was aware of, which allowed the developer to use OSGi as the host environment. However, dm Server was recently donated to the Eclipse Foundation. Knoerschild acknowledges this is a positive move for the open source community, but he interprets it as an indication that dm Server wasn’t doing too well, despite the rarity of its support for Hosted OSGi development. The other problem he perceives with OSGi in its current state, is not a technology problem, but an image one. He has encountered people in the industry who believe OSGi to be an outdated, boring topic, partly because OSGi’s roots can be traced back over forty years. And, in the IT industry, who wants to hear about a forty year old technology, when there’s always the Next Big Thing just around the corner? “The problem is not that OSGi isn’t a great technology with real benefits,” he writes “the problem is that nobody cares about modularity.” In his opinion, dressing up the principles of OSGi in a new, trendy guise, and selling this revamped version of OSGi to the enterprise, could be the way forward. “My little pontification here should in no way be interpreted as questioning whether OSGi is capable, but instead whether OSGi will,” he concludes. There are a few positive indications for the future of OSGi in the enterprise. The recent Apache Aries project delivers a set of pluggable Java components for open source implementations of current and future OSGi EEG specifications. Even more encouragingly, IBM are currently running an open beta of their WebSphere Application Server V7 Feature Pack for OSGi Applications and Java Persistence API (JPA) 2.0 product. This product offers optionally installable, standards-based implementations of the OSGi Blueprint service specification and Java EE 6 JPA 2.0. Maybe IBM’s backing, can finally help push OSGi into the enterprise?	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24766
__label__cc	0.675974	0.324026	← 4 Minute Preview Trailer Released for Korean Drama ‘Mystery Queen’ Kim Min Jung Falls for Park Hae Jin’s Charms in New Trailer for Korean Drama ‘Man to Man’ → It’s time to check in on what my all time favorite action and crime dramas are! This is a genre that I’m very hit or miss with, but when they do it right, I love it. Of course, we all know that kdramas frequently blur genre lines, so sometimes that can make it difficult to determine the criteria for a list like this. I ultimately chose dramas that have a focus on crime in general or a strong action element mixed with other genres. So let’s dive right in! 10. Heartless City Plot: Aided by a detective, a woman goes undercover to bring down a notorious drug ring leader, and she finds herself in a world where secrets abound and the lines between right and wrong begin to blur. Heartless City is a thriller noir filled with moody cinematography which creates the feeling that you are in the dark underworld of organized crime. The drama has plenty of exciting twists to keep you guessing and a great pace that helps things move along quickly. We get a riveting performance from Jung Kyung Ho that is beyond intense. It’s by far one of his best and most memorable. Heartless City had a slick production, layered characters, and plenty of action. It exceled at delivering when it needed to, and as far as crime dramas go, it’s a must see. (Heartless City Review) 9. My Beautiful Bride Plot: When a man’s fiancé goes missing, he will stop at nothing in order to find her. But things get complicated as he finds himself deep in the hidden crime world that is full of secrets and where no one can be trusted. My Beautiful Bride was quite a ride! The first half of the drama was suspense perfection. I so enjoyed Do Hyung’s intense and obsessive mission to find his missing fiancé. And the way the story is presented is so unique. Our main couple is very interesting with the layers of their story carefully peeled back little by little to reveal the full picture of just how deep their love is. There’s more of a shift to bad guy power struggles in the second half, but even then I did still really enjoy it. And that says a lot since I don’t usually care for this sort of politics. My Beautiful Bride created an intricate crime world with many layered characters that made the entire journey more than enjoyable. (My Beautiful Bride Review) 8. Police Unit 38 Plot: A group of government workers and criminals team up to go after large scale tax evaders by setting up elaborate scams to catch them. Police Unit 38 is a really solid crime drama that is a perfect example of a good show in this genre. The drama was filled with plenty of tension as our team sets up elaborate scams to trick the large scale tax evaders into giving up their money. I really enjoyed watching all that went into setting up a scam and then seeing how it would play out. It was really interesting to see the elaborate measures the team would go to in order to pull them off. Ma Dong Suk and Seo In Guk were both completely engaging. The writing was excellent with many layers to the plot. I appreciated that the drama wasn’t episodic and was more serialized. It contains three main story arcs with each arc building upon the previous one while further developing the characters. There are also plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing. Police Unit 38 was a fantastic watch. (Police Unit 38 Review) 7. Descendants of the Sun Plot: A special forces captain and a doctor fall in love while providing aid in a country dealing with natural disaster and civil strife. Descendants of the Sun is a pretty exciting drama! It boasts an enormous budget, gorgeous cinematography, high quality special effects, and a star couple in Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo. Descendants of the Sun burst onto the scene in 2016 and took the drama world by storm. There is plenty of action as one disaster after another befalls our heroes. It also give lots of opportunities for them to draw closer together while keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. Descendants of the Sun was a nice change of pace due to the setting, army elements, and the wide range of difficulties our characters face. It had plenty of action, melodrama, and a nice dose of humor on the side. I really enjoyed Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo as a couple and getting to experience their trial-filled love story was wonderful and exciting. (Descendants of the Sun Review) 6. Time Between Dog and Wolf Plot: A man goes undercover in Thailand to infiltrate the crime syndicate responsible for his mother’s death. What he doesn’t realize is that the woman he loves is also the daughter of the syndicates king pin. Time Between Dog and Wolf is a classic, and it’s easy to see why. I loved the way it was filmed and the whole atmosphere of it. The drama also has such an intensity. It builds and builds as the drama progresses leaving me on the edge of my seat. Time Between Dog and Wolf is also one of the best examples of the wide range of Lee Joon Gi’s acting abilities. His character has so many different sides to him, and Lee Joon Gi nailed them all. This is the kind of drama that you shouldn’t think too hard about while watching. A lot of the plot elements are very over the top, and sometimes you just kind of have to go with it. With that in mind, Time Between Dog and Wolf really is thrilling and oh so fun! (Time Between Dog and Wolf Review) 5. Two Weeks Plot: A man framed for murder must survive for two weeks in order to save his daughter with leukemia. Two Weeks is a fun ride with a lot of excitement. Being on the run is in and of itself intense. But adding in the time constraint of having to save his daughter in a short amount of time just adds this extra layer of thrills. It’s also another fantastic outing by Lee Joon Gi. His character goes on quite the journey of growth, and it is very moving to see. The characters are presented in a very believable way and the story is very solid. Two Weeks is thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. (Two Weeks Review) 4. Healer Plot: A night courier hired to investigate a woman finds that he may be involved in the mystery he is trying to uncover. Healer is a really solid drama that has very little to pick apart. It has a little bit of everything: action, drama, mystery, and romance. The story is well developed with an interesting mystery to solve, a great cast of characters, and a leading couple with fabulous chemistry. Ji Chang Wook and Park Min Young have one of the swooniest relationships in dramaland and they really deliver all the feels. And Ji Chang Wook’s superhero-like persona Healer is just plain fun in a very exciting way! (Healer Review) 3. Signal Plot: Modern day detectives communicate with a detective in the past using an old two way radio to solve crimes, but they soon learn that messing with time is a dangerous thing. Signal was one of those dramas that blew me away and effortlessly tugged at my heartstrings with it’s brilliant writing and absolutely amazing acting by Lee Je Hoon, Kim Hye Soo, and Jo Jin Woong. A combination of this along with editing and music easily stirred up all kinds of emotions in me. This drama gave me chills and continued to wow me from start to finish. Signal did not disappoint in any way and has certainly set the bar extremely high for crime dramas to come. It’s engaging characters and brilliantly layered story with attention to the smallest details really stands out among others. Signal is a drama that left quite an impact which I know will be felt for a long time to come. (Signal Review) 2. City Hunter Plot: A man seeks revenge on the corrupt politicians responsible for his father’s death by taking matters into his own hands. City Hunter was probably the most talked about drama of 2011. It is an excellent drama with action, revenge, and a nice romance to boot. The revenge plot is well thought out and executed at a nice pace. This keeps the drama exciting throughout. Lee Min Ho and Park Min Young have a complicated relationship with danger lurking at all times. It’s also a romance that just hits the right spots and feels very big because the stakes are always high. City Hunter is another fun superhero type drama that makes an exciting watch, and it is great for anyone who likes a little action in their kdramas. (City Hunter Review) 1. Bridal Mask (Gaksital) Plot: An epic story of a masked man fighting to free Koreans during the Japanese occupation in the 1930’s. My number one favorite action drama would have to be Bridal Mask. Apparently, I really like the hidden identity/hero trope, because Bridal Mask is yet another one I love. It executes that trope to perfection and delivers a completely epic and thrilling masterpiece. There’s so much action, excitement, and intrigue that there is never a dull moment. Joo Won is completely engaging and delivers one of my favorite performances in a drama ever. His love/hate bromance with Park Ki Woong left me speechless. Bridal Mask was simply breathtaking. Epic, thrilling, and heart wrenching don’t even come close to describing it. I have never seen another drama like Bridal Mask, and it should not be missed. (Bridal Mask Review) Well, that’s certainly an exciting list of action and crime dramas! It’s a great genre with a wide range of selections. If you’re looking for thrills and intensity, these dramas are a good place to start. Of course, there are a lot of other wonderful dramas in this genre out there. So what are your favorite action and crime kdramas? For more Top 10 Lists: Sign Up to receive email updates of kdrama reviews, casting news, trailers, and more. Copyright © 2015-2017 by Kdrama Kisses. All rights reserved. This website or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author. Excerpts may be used provided that credit is given to Kdrama Kisses (kdramakisses.com) with clear and direct links to the original content. This entry was posted in Articles and tagged Action Korean Drama, Crime Korean Drama', Ji Chang Wook, Joo Won, kdrama, Korean Drama, Lee Joon Gi, Lee Min Ho, Seo In Guk, Song Joong Ki. Bookmark the permalink. 12 Responses to 10 Best Action and Crime Korean Dramas Great post this one. As you know I am a big fan of action and crime dramas. For me Heartless City has truly been one of the best series in that genre that I have seen so far, but I also quite enjoyed my Beautiful Bride. Another series that was very good, and I intend to rewatch sometime soon is 3 Days. I always felt that series was the Korean answer to 24. If you haven’t seen that one yet, I highly recommend it. As for the rest of the series on this list, it is a great reminder that I still have a lot of series that I need to see lol 😂 Action and crime is definitely an exciting genre! You’ve watched some good ones for sure 🙂 I started 3 Days once. I didn’t drop it, I just started watching other things and haven’t went back to it yet. But if you really like 3 Days, one of my top dramas on this list, Signal, is by the same writer. It’s such a brilliant and intense drama in every way. But yes, lists like these always remind us how much we still need to see 🙂 Oh yeah, did you ever finish Goblin? No, I still haven’t. I know I am terrible, it is really not because I don’t like it, but it really is simply a time issue, and other things that I have come across. But I will finish it. Expect a review for it this month 😊 Sorry, I keep asking. I’ll just know you’ve finished it when I see your review for it, lol. I guess I’m just anxious to hear your thoughts on it 🙂 Haha, absolutely no problem at all. It only motivates me even more to finally finish it 😊😊 I’m gonna be watching Signal soon. 🙂 Have heard so much praise for it! Yay! I could just go on and on about how great Signal is. Easily my favorite straight crime drama ever 🙂 I really hope you enjoy it! Hunxuer says: In case you love the Signal, I would recommend Tunnel. Another well-written series and the character building is exemplary. Yes, I really enjoyed Tunnel. Glad you enjoyed that one too 🙂 mamabatesmotel says: Reblogged this on mamabatesmotel. kpopfan says: can yaal help me look for a kdrama, its about a mom who losses her daughter because someone pushed her off a buulding, but peole bealive she jumped off hoping to be with her dad. i bealive the mom was like a police . this is all i remember, can yaal please help out. It sounds like the drama Lookout with Lee Shi Young and Kim Young Kwang. She was a police officer whose daughter was murdered by being pushed off of a building. Hope that’s the one you’re thinking of 🙂	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24777
__label__wiki	0.513433	0.513433	Outcome of treatment for osteosarcoma of the extremities over the last 20 years: Report from 11 referral centers in Japan Koichi Ogura, Hiroaki Hiraga, Takeshi Ishii, Toshifumi Ozaki, Yoshihiro Nishida, Hideo Morioka, Toru Hiruma, Takafumi Ueda, Nobuhito Araki, Norifumi Naka, Hirotaka Kawano, Akira Kawai The survival of patients with osteosarcoma has improved dramatically due to the introduction of effective systemic chemotherapy. The key standard drugs for osteosarcoma chemotherapy are methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, and multi-institutional trials based on these drugs have been conducted in Japan since the 1990s. However, there have been no nationwide data on treatment outcome, especially with regard to survival and prognostic factors. In this chapter, therefore, we present data from a large nationwide cohort of patients with osteosarcoma treated at 11 referral centers in Japan during the period 1990-2010 with special reference to survival and relevant prognostic factors. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year metastasis-free survival and overall survival rates for the 529 patients were 70 %, 64 %, and 62 % and 88 %, 83 %, and 77 %, respectively. The prognosis for patients with osteosarcoma in Japan was comparable to, or slightly better than, those reported in other countries. International collaboration should also be conducted in Asian countries including Japan to improve the outcome further and find the optimal treatment for osteosarcoma. Springer Japan https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55696-1_4 Survival Rate Prognostic factor Ogura, K., Hiraga, H., Ishii, T., Ozaki, T., Nishida, Y., Morioka, H., ... Kawai, A. (2016). Outcome of treatment for osteosarcoma of the extremities over the last 20 years: Report from 11 referral centers in Japan. In Osteosarcoma (pp. 45-57). Springer Japan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55696-1_4 Outcome of treatment for osteosarcoma of the extremities over the last 20 years : Report from 11 referral centers in Japan. / Ogura, Koichi; Hiraga, Hiroaki; Ishii, Takeshi; Ozaki, Toshifumi; Nishida, Yoshihiro; Morioka, Hideo; Hiruma, Toru; Ueda, Takafumi; Araki, Nobuhito; Naka, Norifumi; Kawano, Hirotaka; Kawai, Akira. Osteosarcoma. Springer Japan, 2016. p. 45-57. Ogura, K, Hiraga, H, Ishii, T, Ozaki, T, Nishida, Y, Morioka, H, Hiruma, T, Ueda, T, Araki, N, Naka, N, Kawano, H & Kawai, A 2016, Outcome of treatment for osteosarcoma of the extremities over the last 20 years: Report from 11 referral centers in Japan. in Osteosarcoma. Springer Japan, pp. 45-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55696-1_4 Ogura K, Hiraga H, Ishii T, Ozaki T, Nishida Y, Morioka H et al. Outcome of treatment for osteosarcoma of the extremities over the last 20 years: Report from 11 referral centers in Japan. In Osteosarcoma. Springer Japan. 2016. p. 45-57 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55696-1_4 Ogura, Koichi ; Hiraga, Hiroaki ; Ishii, Takeshi ; Ozaki, Toshifumi ; Nishida, Yoshihiro ; Morioka, Hideo ; Hiruma, Toru ; Ueda, Takafumi ; Araki, Nobuhito ; Naka, Norifumi ; Kawano, Hirotaka ; Kawai, Akira. / Outcome of treatment for osteosarcoma of the extremities over the last 20 years : Report from 11 referral centers in Japan. Osteosarcoma. Springer Japan, 2016. pp. 45-57 @inbook{59fb0c9c0212405cbdc3752930667efc, title = "Outcome of treatment for osteosarcoma of the extremities over the last 20 years: Report from 11 referral centers in Japan", abstract = "The survival of patients with osteosarcoma has improved dramatically due to the introduction of effective systemic chemotherapy. The key standard drugs for osteosarcoma chemotherapy are methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, and multi-institutional trials based on these drugs have been conducted in Japan since the 1990s. However, there have been no nationwide data on treatment outcome, especially with regard to survival and prognostic factors. In this chapter, therefore, we present data from a large nationwide cohort of patients with osteosarcoma treated at 11 referral centers in Japan during the period 1990-2010 with special reference to survival and relevant prognostic factors. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year metastasis-free survival and overall survival rates for the 529 patients were 70 {\%}, 64 {\%}, and 62 {\%} and 88 {\%}, 83 {\%}, and 77 {\%}, respectively. The prognosis for patients with osteosarcoma in Japan was comparable to, or slightly better than, those reported in other countries. International collaboration should also be conducted in Asian countries including Japan to improve the outcome further and find the optimal treatment for osteosarcoma.", keywords = "Japan, Osteosarcoma, Prognosis, Prognostic factor", author = "Koichi Ogura and Hiroaki Hiraga and Takeshi Ishii and Toshifumi Ozaki and Yoshihiro Nishida and Hideo Morioka and Toru Hiruma and Takafumi Ueda and Nobuhito Araki and Norifumi Naka and Hirotaka Kawano and Akira Kawai", doi = "10.1007/978-4-431-55696-1_4", booktitle = "Osteosarcoma", T1 - Outcome of treatment for osteosarcoma of the extremities over the last 20 years T2 - Report from 11 referral centers in Japan AU - Ogura, Koichi AU - Hiraga, Hiroaki AU - Ishii, Takeshi AU - Ozaki, Toshifumi AU - Nishida, Yoshihiro AU - Morioka, Hideo AU - Hiruma, Toru AU - Ueda, Takafumi AU - Araki, Nobuhito AU - Naka, Norifumi AU - Kawano, Hirotaka AU - Kawai, Akira N2 - The survival of patients with osteosarcoma has improved dramatically due to the introduction of effective systemic chemotherapy. The key standard drugs for osteosarcoma chemotherapy are methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, and multi-institutional trials based on these drugs have been conducted in Japan since the 1990s. However, there have been no nationwide data on treatment outcome, especially with regard to survival and prognostic factors. In this chapter, therefore, we present data from a large nationwide cohort of patients with osteosarcoma treated at 11 referral centers in Japan during the period 1990-2010 with special reference to survival and relevant prognostic factors. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year metastasis-free survival and overall survival rates for the 529 patients were 70 %, 64 %, and 62 % and 88 %, 83 %, and 77 %, respectively. The prognosis for patients with osteosarcoma in Japan was comparable to, or slightly better than, those reported in other countries. International collaboration should also be conducted in Asian countries including Japan to improve the outcome further and find the optimal treatment for osteosarcoma. AB - The survival of patients with osteosarcoma has improved dramatically due to the introduction of effective systemic chemotherapy. The key standard drugs for osteosarcoma chemotherapy are methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, and multi-institutional trials based on these drugs have been conducted in Japan since the 1990s. However, there have been no nationwide data on treatment outcome, especially with regard to survival and prognostic factors. In this chapter, therefore, we present data from a large nationwide cohort of patients with osteosarcoma treated at 11 referral centers in Japan during the period 1990-2010 with special reference to survival and relevant prognostic factors. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year metastasis-free survival and overall survival rates for the 529 patients were 70 %, 64 %, and 62 % and 88 %, 83 %, and 77 %, respectively. The prognosis for patients with osteosarcoma in Japan was comparable to, or slightly better than, those reported in other countries. International collaboration should also be conducted in Asian countries including Japan to improve the outcome further and find the optimal treatment for osteosarcoma. KW - Japan KW - Osteosarcoma KW - Prognosis KW - Prognostic factor U2 - 10.1007/978-4-431-55696-1_4 DO - 10.1007/978-4-431-55696-1_4 BT - Osteosarcoma PB - Springer Japan 10.1007/978-4-431-55696-1_4	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24779
__label__wiki	0.521613	0.521613	for appointments call Kailua 230-8500 Honolulu 888-3449 access patient forms OBGYN Services Cervical Cancer Detection & Prevention Gynecology Exam Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Is NovaSure right for me? NovaSure Frequently Asked Questions Osteoporosis Screening & Treatment Premenstrual Syndrome Management STD Screenings Birthing Options Prenatal Care and Testing Vaginal Birth After C-section (VBAC) Meet our team of providers List of Providers Personalized birthing experience Midwife Assistance What patients have to say about us Osteoporosis Treatment in Honolulu HI Osteoporosis is a condition that reduces bone strength and puts women at greater risk of breaking or fracturing a bone. In fact, more than one in four women over the age of 65 have the disease. Symptoms are virtually non-existent and a person may not be affected by it until they break a bone. If you believe you may have osteoporosis, Ko’olau Women’s Healthcare can help with screening and treatment. Schedule an appointment today by calling our Kailua location at (808) 230-8500 or our Honolulu location at (808) 888-3499. Osteoporosis Risk Factors The following factors make a person more likely to develop the Osteoporosis: Gender. Women are far more likely to be affected by Osteoporosis than men. In general, women’s bones are smaller and are more vulnerable to degeneration due to hormonal changes that occur after menopause. Age. Bones naturally become thinner as we age. When women reach menopause, they may rapidly lose bone in the first four to eight years of menopause. For example, if a women begins menopause at 50, the most dramatic loss of bone mass may occur between 51 and 58. Race. Due to differences in genetic make-up, Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to be affected by Osteoporosis than African-American and Hispanic women. Family History. Women whose families have a history of developing Osteoporosis are more likely to develop it themselves. DEXA Screening for Osteoporosis in Honolulu HI Bone density is measured using a process called a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, or what’s commonly known as a DEXA scan. This procedure measures the density of bones in areas of the body that are prone to breaks and fractures, such as the spine, hips and forearms. DEXA scans do not require any preparation. The patient will lie on an examination table while an x-ray scans different areas of the body. The process is painless and only takes about ten minutes to complete. Understanding DEXA Results In the majority of cases, the patient’s bone density will be compared to that of an average healthy young adult. The results of this comparison is called a T-score. This will help the doctor determine if the bones are normal (T-score between +1 and -1) , have lower than average mass (T-score between -1.1 and -2.4,) or Osteoporosis (T-score of -2.5 or less.) How Often Should DEXA Scans be Performed? Because of the exposure to radiation, DEXA scans should be completed a maximum of once every two years. Even with high-risk patients receiving treatment, doctors will monitor bone health in other ways. How is Osteoporosis Treated? The main goal of treatment will be to prevent fractures and breaks. In addition to recommending a proper diet rich in calcium, a doctor may prescribe medication. The following is not a list of all medication options, but simply the most commonly used: Bisphosphonates. This type of medication slows cell activity that is responsible for bone loss. Bisphosphonates are intended to maintain or even increase bone density. Parathyroid Hormone. This option is for postmenopausal women who are at high risk for fracture. Estrogen Agonists/Antagonists. Typically used to treat postmenopausal women, these medications are not estrogen, but they have estrogen-like effects on the body. Calcitonin. Meant for women who are at least five years into menopause, calcitonin helps to regulate calcium and bone metabolism. Osteoporosis is a condition that shouldn’t be taken lightly. A broken bone can result in hospitalization and even surgery. If you have concerns over your bone density and would like to schedule an appointment, please call Ko’olua Women’s Healthcare at (808) 230-8500 in Kailua and (808) 888-3449 in Honolulu. Office Kailua da Vinci Surgery Copyright 2020 Ko'olau Women's Healthcare. Privacy Policy & Photo Disclaimer medical web design by practis, inc	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24789
__label__wiki	0.761548	0.761548	Get Our Free App Listen to Us on Alexa Abilene News Frank Pain The Night Shift With Craig Allen 100.7 KOOL FM100.7 KOOL FM Neil Young to Reissue ‘Ragged Glory’ as Double Album Neil Young’s Archive website confirms that an expanded double-length reissue of Ragged Glory will be released in the coming year, after producer John Hanlon rediscovered more of the original recordings. This 19th studio album, released in 1990, marked a return to form for Young, who’d found himself distracted during much of the ‘80s, and was also a reunion with Crazy Horse for the first time since 1987’s Life. “Listening to these [unreleased] tracks is a real head scratcher,” according to a statement on the website. “They are equal to anything on the existing record, maybe better. Possibly, the thought at the time was to have a single album and not include the songs from the last half of the unique ‘set-oriented’ recording sessions.” Explaining the “unique” nature of those sessions, the statement added: “The band played a set of songs twice a day at Plywood Analog for a couple of weeks, then went back, listened and chose best tracks after the two weeks were up. … The same tracks were never repeated in a recording set, played only once as [a] set. … No repeats. This approach took ‘analysis’ out of the game during the sessions, allowing the Horse not to think; thinking is deadly for the Horse.” Watch Neil Young & Crazy Horse Perform ‘Mansion on the Hill’ Titled Ragged Glory II, the double album will contain 38 more minutes of music in vinyl, compact disc and digital formats. A 2019 release was described as probable; “other announced projects” could be delayed as a result. Neil Young Albums Ranked Next: Top 10 Neil Young Songs Source: Neil Young to Reissue ‘Ragged Glory’ as Double Album Filed Under: neil young The Texas Gun & Knife Show is January 25th & 26th in Abilene Abilene Business Listings 2020 100.7 KOOL FM is part of the Loudwire Network, Townsquare Media, Inc. All rights reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24790
__label__cc	0.527133	0.472867	Human remains discovered in north county identified as missing woman Posted 11:34 am, April 18, 2017, by Danielle Scruggs ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO (KPLR) - Police have identified human remains found by a mushroom hunter one week ago in north St. Louis County. The remains belonged to 50-year-old Rocsheill Robinson, who went missing on October 31, 2014. Officers were called to a wooded area between a retirement community and Christian Northeast Hospital in the 11100 block of Village North Drive around 5 p.m. on April 10. Authorities said Ms. Robinson checked herself out of Christian Northeast Hospital around 2 p.m. that day. She was last seen exiting the main entrance to the hospital on foot, walking in the parking lot of the hospital. Three months after Robinson went missing, Fox 2 News talked to members of her family, who were still holding out hope she would be found. They said she called them prior to leaving the hospital and appeared to be agitated and confused. While police have identified the remains, they still don't know the cause of death. A spokesperson for the St. Louis County Police Department said that could take several weeks. And while there appear to be no signs of trauma, investigators have not ruled out foul play. Previous coverage: Police looking for missing woman in north St. Louis County Human remains discovered in north county Fire damages same north St. Louis County home where young mother was murdered a day earlier Three overnight shootings leave one dead and two injured Human remains found at Joshua Tree National Park have been identified as a missing Canadian man Injured toddler expected to survive after shots fired into north St. Louis County home 2 teens killed, 2 wounded Wednesday in shootings across St. Louis 18-month-old improving after being shot in Castle Point home Man accused of stealing from fellow hospital patient has avoided prison despite prior convictions UPDATE: Missing 65-year-old found safe, police confirm Gun violence continues in St. Louis City through Thanksgiving holiday Father charged in Glasgow Village 2-year-old’s death	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24791
__label__cc	0.690744	0.309256	Top three things we heard about the C Line (and what we did about them) Date: November 19, 2012Author: Metro Web Team 82 Comments It’s been about seven weeks since we launched the RapidRide C Line between West Seattle and downtown Seattle, and there have been bumps in the road. We’ve heard a lot of feedback, and continue to tackle the issues that bug riders most. We want what riders want: frequent, reliable service, especially during the peak commute. Most days that’s no easy task. Our buses travel the same congested streets and intersections as commuters in cars, pedestrians and bicyclists. We keep working at the problem, and gathering rider feedback, ridership data and reports on how the service is operating. Below are the top concerns we’ve heard from our customers and what we’ve done (or are doing) to fix them. We also posted a questionnaire to learn more about your experiences traveling buses to and from West Seattle. We hope your feedback can continue to help us make the system better. Let’s keep each other posted on how things are going. You can start by completing the questionnaire online. >>Having trouble viewing these images? View the Top three things we heard about the C Line as a PDF. >>Read more about service in West Seattle since the service change. NewsRapidRideWest Seattle Service Previous Previous post: Metro considers changes to bus service in Renton Next Next post: Metro remembers Center Park’s Donna Potter-Garcia 82 thoughts on “Top three things we heard about the C Line (and what we did about them)” A & B says: I would like to see improvements to the ST560 transfer at Westwood Village. The transfer is not as easy as you might think. Dropping off at the same location as the pick-up makes sence when you have luggage or need to make a tight connection (especially when service on the 560 is limited). Additionally, the current ST560 stop does not have a bench or a shelter. Moving the stop to a covered location would be a huge help. At a minimum, please make the layover the “first stop”. Metro Matters Team says: Check out our latest blog post “West Seattle rider questionnaire: What you told us, what’s next” to stay involved in this conversation moving forward: https://metrofutureblog.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/west-seattle-rider-questionnaire-what-you-told-us-whats-next/ Sarah T says: Rapid Ride C is as bad as the first day… so full there isn’t even room for passengers waiting at the final WS stop. This is ridiculous. There seems to be little improvement since the first week – causing an even greater level of frustration. Bring back the 54X!!! James Knodle says: I remember, after the survey period, reading a response from Metro to the effect that a mid-day schedule for RR buses would be generated. What’s happening with that? What can they say when everyone thinks RR and the new schedule sucks? Rush hours and at Admiral Junction I see literally three C lines in a row. Them there won’t be any for half an hour. Completely out of control mess. What is Metro doing with our money, who is in charge?? In a private business heads would roll for this mess created with the schedule change. I ment Alaska Junction of course. It would be very helpful to have the C buses spaced at regular intervals. Because there is no schedule during commute hours (only a planned, average frequency), nobody knows when a bus is on its way. Because the C serves so many people, there’s a pretty steady flow of people walking to any given bus stop. With no way of knowing when the next one will come by, we all squeeze on the first one to show up. It’s not uncommon to find another one (or three, as I saw the other evening) right behind, all nearly empty because we had no idea another bus was just out of sight but nearby. If it’s not possible to have more uniform waits between buses, it’s imperative to have One Bus Away or any other app reflect the true tracking information for the C. If I know, for example, that it will be 25 minutes or so until 2 or more buses show up nearly together, I’ll be more likely to use the one with room. I don’t need to know what the intended frequency is; I need to know what I can realistically expect. I agree with the comment above about the Route 22 only running once an hour and not being on time. What good is the C line if your bus only picks you up once an hour to get you there. Also for those who depend on it to get to and from work, sometimes late at night, waiting at a stop for a bus an hour can get scarry. With the route being shorter, you would think that the bus would run every 20 minutes instead of going to less frequency of once an hour. Please make it convenient to use the new Rapid Ride C by connecting with it every 15 to 20 minutes via the 22. Please add direct 56 route during the day and the later evening hrs till at least 10 in the evening saving hrs of waiting and transfeers for those who must travel during this time to get to work. Other problem: 56 does not run during “Holiday Weeks” when all of us have to go to work. How are we suppose to get to downtown when there are no buses from Admiral?? This is insane! I used to be able to take the 113, 120, and 125 to downtown from white center and in an emergency the 23 (which I try to avoid). The 125 was discontinued to white center and the response I have been given 3 times when writing in – is that now we have Rapid Ride to replace it. Only problem – Rapid Ride doesn’t service white center. You changed the route of 120 which makes it longer for those of us getting on in white center and I have found that the extreme increase in ridership has made the rides uncomfortable as well as very frequently delayed. The 113 was what I used to call the “Good Bus.” It is still fine in the mornings, but obviously since it is infrequent, if you miss it you have to change stops to get to the 120. Getting home on the 113 is now terrible. Since it was moved to 2nd Ave, It has yet to be on time ONCE and now most times takes almost twice as long to get home as it used to. The stop on 2nd and Pike is so crowded – it is this mad dash to get to buses and twice I have had the doors closed in my face and been left behind when the driver didn’t notice there were more people waiting to board in the crowd. On average I am spending over an hour to travel less than 7 miles door to door. When I drive it takes me about 20 minutes. I used to be able to count on the bus, as it only had the occasional bad day, but now they all seem like bad days – nothing is ever on time. Last year there was a huge movement to get the people of white center (among other communities) out of their cars and on the bus. I worked hard to change my habits and became a bus rider, but now I find that I am driving more and more and I am thinking that I am going to cancel my bus pass and put that money towards a parking spot. Paul Dorvel says: I have been a Metro bus rider since 1994. I have used the 51, 54, 55, 56, 57, 22 and many other buses at different times. I understand the reasons for adopting RR buses. But I also sympathize with comments above about RR C overcrowding and lack of coordinated transfers to the Admiral District, Where I used to ride the 51 to the YMCA in the morning, I walk now, since it is faster than walking over to California to catch a 50 or 128. I take a RR C from Alaska to downtown. I like the information board that tells me if I have enough time to stop in at Great Harvest. I like the idea of the outdoor card readers and do not mind the fare checker dudes on the bus. I catch the RR C bus from 8:30 to 9:30 in the morning. Often there is a 128 that arrives just prior to the next RR C and discharges 15 or so passengers. This is good timing but more often than not it results in standing room only. And by the time we reach 35th and Avalon it is jammed. I recommend that you (1) install ORCA readers at downtown stops; (2) add a small shuttle bus that runs along California Ave SW all day, more often at peak hours, from Morgan to Admiral Junction areas; (3) install expanded reader boards at RR stations to announce arrivals of the next three buses; (4) ditch the 15-min interval idea and publish fixed schedules for the RR; (5) train drivers to look more carefully for people getting off and on so as not to close doors on them – it has happened to me several times; and (6) keep up the good work. I like the seats on the RR C buses and the way the buses ride. That is when I am lucky enough to find a seat. Paul M. says: In Europe they have “Orca Readers” inside the buses, by every door. Why don’t we adopt it here? Fred Matthews says: So where’s the part about what Metro did about the comments? Can’t find it. On Wed, Nov 28, 2012 at 4:32 PM, Metro Matters marie walker says: Route 120 still needs to be re-evaluated. Buses continue to be sevestanding room only as early as the 6:05 bus at Brandon and Delrdige. My husband who works at Harborview and has been a faithful bus rider for the past five years finally gave up and started driving again after the changes due to the over crowding and the unreliablity of the buses in showing up on time. Izzy says: As a long-time bus rider, I am very unhappy with the changes in West Seattle. The 22 now only runs every hour, and it often isn’t on time. In fact, I’m told the 2:00 pm bus from Alaska Junction leaves at 2:07 pm, but this hasn’t been reflected in any of the schedules, and it then throws off all the afternoon buses. The distance between stops on the C is way too long for seniors and for those concerned with safety after dark in the winter. The seating on the C is awful for seniors. You either have to sit facing sideways or walk to the back of the bus to try and get a front-facing seat. The High seats are a nightmare for seniors and short people. Getting off the bus is dangerous for seniors. The steps at the middle and back doors are much too high, and often require a leap to the curb. We are told to use the front door, but if the bus is crowded, it is often very difficult to get to the front door. The drivers get snooty when you ask them to use the kneeler. Also, the middle and rear doors have closed on me more than once when the driver didn’t see me. These are an accident waiting to happen. Drivers seem to have no visibility as to what is happening in the bus. Another accident waiting to happen. The lack of a C schedule is awful, since it is impossible to plan on connections to buses like the 22 or 128 that run infrequently. Put Up Reader Boards Everywhere says: If Metro is going to go through the effort to build fancy new stops dedicated to the C and D lines, at least put up working reader boards at every location. The southbound stop at 15th and Market has absolutely no reader board so you have no idea whether you’ll be waiting 10 minutes or the typical 25-35 minutes around rush hour in the evening. If you’re going to suck, at least have the common courtesy to let us know by how much so we can do something more valuable with our time, or better yet drive. Pingback: Reminder: Come talk to us about West Seattle bus service tomorrow morning \| Metro Matters Allen Goss says: I am a former rider of the 133 direct to the UW. Please reinstate this bus. Having to go downtown on the 21X or C Line causes my commute now to be 1-2 hours due to having to transfer to a 71,71,73 in the tunnel. Those are usually standing room only and many times in the evening so jammed that buses pass several stops leaving waiting passengers behind for a bus with some space. The C Line in particular is not “Rapid” but overcrowded and very uncomfortable with hard seats. At night sometimes I see “C” buses headed downtown from Westwood empty and your former arguement for eliminating the 133 was it was losing money. Sorry! but empty “C’ Line buses lose much more. The 133’s only 4 each way per day were usually full or close to it. Maybe your schedulers should try riding the bus so they can experience the real world and hear first hand how unhappy most riders are! For North Admiral…too many 55’s, 56’s and 54 routes were taken away. I try to use public transit whenever possible, but it’s just not feasible to take a bus that’s going to take 45 minutes to an hour to get downtown…when I can drive it in 10-15 minutes… PLEASE bring back more of these routes during non-peak hours and weekends and you will get many loyal North Admiral bus riders back!! PS– It also wouldn’t hurt to run the water taxi on the weekends during the winter…I would have loved taking this to the Seahawks game (10 min ride) compared to 55 minutes…. Paulita Bernuy says: I live in High Point in West Seattle near Morgan St. I cannot use the C line unless I drive and park near California and Morgan. Useless for me and those who live in HIghpoint. Paulita, why drive to the C line when you can take the 21 direct from the Highpoint area to downtown or Westwood? The 21 runs every 15 minutes all day now (the same frequency as the C outside peak). Thanks Paul, I thought the C line was supposed to be faster,but after reading the comments, I guess, the 21 might be more dependable. Joyce A. says: The mornings are working much better for me now. The added 55 works well and is not overly crowded. The timeliness of the bus in the morning (catching the bus at Charlestown and California) is off, often 5 or more minutes. That should improve, I assume, in time. The evenings are still not working for me. I often go home from downtown after the 55 buses stop running so I get the C line. I have never been at the junction when a 50 or 128 is leaving in less than 15 minutes. On one bus away, I have missed a bus several times in 7 or less minutes. This is frustrating as the connections to the Admiral area need to be better for this to truly work well. We need coordinated schedules for the rapid ride. My hope is this will improve too. The rapid ride is still a great idea, just too many hiccups to date. Coming from downtown today at 3 pm, the bus driver allowed some on at 2nd and columbia, but didn’t ask people to move back and so saw the bus as full and closed the doors and went off. I had already waited 10 minutes, so had to wait 15 more for the next bus. Not a good performance there either. Also at the 2nd and Columbia stop, having a person swipe cards seems an expensive venture. Faster yes, but is a card reader coming to that stop soon? Darb says: suppoe this explains why the 56 is NEVER on time, not on the survey, not even on the radar of the planners. also, with the people scanning cards of the bus that do not correspond to any routes, how is that supposed to help with route planning? I’m wondering why you have designed these nice new bus stops, added benches for people to sit on then, in a rainy climate, didn’t put the benches undercover, but out in the open? This doesn’t make any sense. Those benches are virtually worthless more than half the year. I used the C line from the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal going to the Seattle Center (Key Arena). When looking up the schedule we were told that we would have to change downtown, but once on the C line bus found out that the C turned to D line and went directly to the Key Arena.. It was fantastic. It was so easy and direct and we didn’t have to hang around that scary bus stop downtown or wait in the rain and wind. Thank you. It made our day! Pingback: Top 3 things Metro has heard about the C Line (and what we did about them) « RapidRide Blog Admiral Area needs a bus that goes directly to downtown (the 56). Because the 56 was eliminated, but commute time to work was increased by 30 minutes due to the new transfers I need to make. I would also frequently take the 56 mid-day and it always seemed to be used by many, even not at peak hours! If so many of us were using it frequently and reliably, why eliminate the mid-day buses? Also, if we had a rapid ride of sorts that went to the U-District, then it could use the downtown tunnel. West Seattle is deprived of buses that use the tunnel to get through downtown. Until service is improved, I’m going to be using other modes of transportation, like biking or even zipcar in emergencies. How was it decided that going from West Seattle to Ballard was the route that was needed? Why not go direct from West Seattle to the U-District? Granted this would help me, but I can’t be the only UW student living in West Seattle. It would even make using the rapid ride tolerable with all of it’s overcrowding. I live in White Center and used to have 3 buses to downtown that stopped near my house. Now I have to hike multiple blocks to catch 2 of them and the 3rd was obliterated. Even if you created a stop on Henderson between Delridge and 16th (like it says on your website…it doesn’t actually exist) it would service my neighborhood MUCH better. Thank you for adding some more buses. However, more are needed – the C Line is still way too overcrowded in the evenings. Tonight I let two that were standing-room only go by (downtown after 6:00 pm) and waited for the 21 instead. The interior of the Rapid Ride buses is very unpleasant, with most seats being sideways and having to sit with people looming over you (if you are lucky enough to get a seat). The extremely bright vertical fluorescent lights in the middle of the bus ensure a headache if you’re sitting behind them. In addition, it’s way too far between some stops (.6 miles from 35th & Findlay to the Junction, .6 miles from Fauntleroy Church to 35th & Barton). But above all, THE RAPID RIDE ISN’T RAPID. It takes exactly the same time to get from 35th & Barton to 3rd and Madison – 35 minutes – as it did the #54. The #54 local needs to be reinstated in order to (1) provide service again between 35th & Barton and White Center, and (2) make the bus accessible for those who can’t walk the long distances between Rapid Ride stops. Susan Bess says: I used to take the #55 downtown from Charlestown and California Avenue…one bus…now it’s two buses, transferring at the AK Junction…these changes have forced me to put my car back out on the road (be sure Mayor McGinn and King County Council hear this!) parking at the AK Junction and then waiting an indeterminite amount of time for the next C Line ( the sign says 12 min., then 11 min., then 8 min., then 11 min., and finally 3,2,1 min.??) You have really messed up the commute for those of us who don’t travel early morning/late afternoon. Oh, and those guys who check transfers…they remind me of gestapo…had to show my transfer twice from West Seattle to Ballard. Personally, I think you’ve wasted a lot of money tearing down perfectly good bus shelters and replacing them with glitsy new C-Line shelters, “high-tech” gagetry that malfunctions, and given us buses and schedules that don’t serve us well. I used to enjoy my commute, and now I use the bus only when I absolutely have to. And standing up on the new buses and trying to steady yourself with one of those overhead straps is downright dangerous…also, trying to get up from a seat not near a post is tricky…I have to wait until the bus is at a complete standstill before I attempt it. On one of my trips, getting off through the back door proved dangerous as the driver shut the door before I was completely clear of the bus. And I’m just one person…can’t imagine what those folks south of the AK Junction think of the new “dis-service” you’ve handed us. delridge represents says: I appreciate Metro’s attempt to reach out to their customers. It’s a good sign. I actually have a major complaint about route 120. I have ridden this route every work day for the past couple years and, despite what Metro wants the public to believe, it is almost always at max capacity. I live in North Delridge and rarely is there a time when I don’t have to stand up for the remainder of my trip to or from downtown Seattle. The recent change has made the problem even worse. Where there used to be 3 or 4 people that were forced to stand, there are now 20+. We’re all crammed together like a bunch of sardines. Additionally, I pick up the 120 on Columbia and 2nd, and in the time I have to wait for one 120 (which is usually about 25-30 minutes) I’ll see 2-3 Route 55’s, 54’s, C’s, etc. I’m not sure what exactly exacerbated the capacity problem nor the case of the missing busses but one thing is for sure: we need more buses on route 120. My neighborhood may not have the same net worth as those living on the west side of 35th in West Seattle (how many bus lines do they have now?), but I’ll be damned if we don’t have an equal or greater need for bus lines. Thanks for listening and taking action! D R Anast says: To a lifelong bus rider like myself the dramatic changes to Metro are very discouraging. When you stand back and study the overall theme, it is one of cutback, force the commuter to become uncomfortable, and engineer riding so operational cost saving, not service, is Metro’s new standard. The Rapid Ride, in a nutshell, stinks. The three door coach eliminates seating, and the seats left are like hard chairs in grade school. Metro prides itself on stating that more people can stand — well, we are paying through the nose to stand up? Please. I almost wonder if the cattle cars to Dachau were any more uncomfortable. Now I’ll bring up the unmentionable: bring back some of the old routes, like the local 18. I do understand the need for revising the system and making it more cost effective — but not at the cost of making the very source of your revenue, your core constituency, miserable. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Bring back some traditional local routes but only on a more spread out and limited schedule. Compromise between cost slashing and customer service. Larry Thompson says: On the EastSide, Metro uses 1/2 buses to,shuttle people from Redmond, the Microsoft Campus, and Bellevue Transit Center. The same thing could be used from White Center, along California Ave, to the Admiral area. The new service really make Metro travel by seniors and the disabled much more difficult and inconvenient than before. I’d hate to,see people going back to driving their cars as a result of the lack of service the new system has created. The continuation of the C line as the D line to Ballard is great, but needs to be faster. I would eliminate lower Queen Anne and have the D go to Western then 15th straight to Ballard like the 17X, 18X, and 15X. That would probably cut 10 minutes off te trip. Ther also need to be better shuttles from 15th to Market, especially during peak rush hours. Audrey Roberts says: we should have light rail extend through Burien, West Seattle, onward north RapidRide is a really good idea, but still,not well executed. In addition to more frequent buses during peak hours, I would make the following suggestions. 1. At 35th and Avalon, the buses should immediately get on the West Seattle Viaduct, eliminating Avalon Way. Same thing on return. Avalon Way customers can be served by the 21 and new 50. 2. RapidRode drivers need to know that they are a special line and they make only express stops. Too many of the drivers are confused, making stops atold 54 local sta,,slowing down service. 3. Making the C do the loop at the Junction is stupid and wastes time. Instead have the buses come down California to Alaska, turn right to downtown. It might mean making a RapidRide downtown st at Jefferson Square. 4. Service between White Center and the Admiral district has been obliterated. The 55 and the old Rt. 54 should be combined to shuttle people between both areas to the RapidRide. No need for either to go downtown. 5. The 22 is now an almost useless line. Service once an hour is rediculous! It could also be used to shuttle people between White Center and the Admiral,District, running every 15 minutes. Coming from Westwood Village, it should continue on Thistle to California, shuttling people all the way to Admiral. 6. Service is now inneficient and congested to downtown and you’ve eliminated tons of service within West Seattle on California. Unfortunately, it’s a great idea that’s turned into a mult-billion dollar fiasco. Having no pay stations on Third just doesn’t make any sense and slows the system down. I have faith that Metro will get it right! OnBusAway support is key. Seattle riders have become accustomed to using this service as a quick way to anticipate when to leave the house/office/etc… We are too reliant on the technology for metro to abandon support on its new “rapid” ride. A bus being late is much more excusable when it was expected to be late. Walking to the stop to find out if it’s late or not is not acceptable with today’s technology. Pingback: » RapidRide C Line, 7 weeks in: Metro’s questionnaire for you Ripoff Report Fan Site Susan Mitchell says: I agree with the commenter above, and would add that the severe reduction in service to Genesee Hill has pushed me into my car, adding to the congestion on the bridge. It seems like the focus on RapidRide (with all of its challenges/opportunities) has taken away from service to those of us who live north of the Junction. Pingback: USA Today Fan Site › West Seattle Weather Watch, afternoon/evening update: Wind, rain, downed trees, more West Seattle wants to keep the secure neighborhood feeling of getting away from the urban congestion, but also wants stellar transportation service. It really does need a transit hub. Sorry if that sounds too urban, but there it is. In the first days of Rapid Ride our bus sat at 35th and Avalon – on the way INTO town during rush hour in the morning! Was this a fluke or SOP? That sent me right back to the old days of metro milk run busses keeping “on schedule” and taking forever to get anywhere. Experienced commuters know the pressure points in traffic and we sit on the bus knowing traffic is building, while we wait for… what?? I don’t know anyone who would complain about getting downtown “EARLY” – by a minute or 3 – in the morning. Such a small thing, but really impacts perceptions of having a rapid ride. Traci Jay says: There is absolutely no service to/from Genessee Hill outside of the peak morning and afternoon commutes. If I have to stay downtown after 6:10, I am out of luck. My option is to ride the Rapid Ride to the junction, and transfer to a 55 or 128 to get to Charlestown, then walk about 9 blocks. Matt Curry says: Rt 21E evening buses are continuously late at the head of the route — 3rd Ave at Virginia. Particularly, the last run scheduled for 6:05 departure, is usually ore than 18 minutes late. Sometimes as much as 40 minutes before arriving to start the run. Drivers tell me they are transiting from Northgate via I-5 in stop and go traffic. Perhaps transiting Aurora would help? I live in Admiral Area so have only taken C line midday one time and it was efficient. My main concern for Alki/Admiral riders is the lack of a direct bus line outside the rush hour. Drivers have been very patient with the exception of one. Melinda McAllister says: I now have to take 3 buses -one to get to the junction,then the “C”, then another when I get downtown.Then the same thing going home in reverse.I want the #55 back on it’s old schedule!!! Please bring back Route 22, or at least one route (in addition to route 50) that uses the 1st or 4th Ave exit from the West Seattle Bridge. There’s nothing “rapid” about the buses that take the SR-99 viaduct. I abandoned Rapid Ride after two weeks – 1-1/2 hours each way to the University District and with no schedule, transfering buses downtown is a guestimate! I now drive to 45th & Stone to catch the 44 across to UWMC. Total commute time in the morning 40 mintues and even with heavy traffic on 99 coming home I’m home in an hour! There is nothing Rapid about Rapid Ride!! Terry Turner says: I catch the 120 at 3rd & Virginia just after 5:30 p,m. Mon-Fri heading to West Seattle. When I board the bus it is virtually empty. By the time it leaves the next stop at 3rd & Pike, it is 3/4 full and sometimes totally full – standing room only – , and by the time it leaves the final stop at Columbia, there is generally no room for anyone else, yet the boarding assistant somehow puts more people on. The solution is obvious, you need two 120’s running together, and one day last week, this actually happened. Result, everyone got a seat. I suspect that the back-to-back experience last week may not have been planned, but boy did it work. Please consider this as a solution to the problem. When the C bus eventually shows up, usually a swift (faster than before!) efficient ride downtown, and the new arrangements for tapping Orca cards are helpful. New bus lanes on 99 a big improvement. But wait times often well over 20 minutes even in mid-afternoon (unacceptable and not what you advertise), and arrival times of buses don’t necessarily coincide with posted times. Waiting for bus after dark downtown continues to be anxiety-provoking (open harassment especially of waiting female passengers). I would pick water taxi over bus any time (when given choice, which is generally not an option in winter), because water taxi runs on fixed schedule, is almost always on time, and no one has EVER harassed me, threatened to kill me, exposed himself, or masturbated in plain sight while I was waiting in line or transiting on water taxi. Unlike the bus. Kathy Dunn says: We need One Bus Away to call ahead and plan when to go to the bus stop. Not everyone has access to a computer or smart phone to use Metro Tracker. This is critical for the Rapid Ride C and D lines because we don’t have the benefit of a schedule. The Rapid Rides need dedicated lanes so that the buses do not get stuck in traffic. During morning rush hour, I see the RR C line stuck behind cars waiting to get on the northbound SR 99 ramp. The local route (50 from Alki to Othello Station) makes better time than the RR C on the West Seattle Bridge during the morning rush hour because it uses the dedicated bus lane to 1st Avenue. Metro and SDOT need to work together to provide more dedicated bus lanes in the city or Rapid Ride will never live up to it’s promise. Current traffic problems are bound to get worse, at least judging from the new apartments with parking that are being built in West Seattle. Unless the city can find a way to give transit more priority on the roads. How about real transit malls in West Seattle and Ballard? Every other “town” in the Seattle area has one. No street parking between Edmunds and Alaska on California, make it a transit mall. Let the cars drive detour around this section of California Ave SW instead of the Rapid Ride. The idea of Rapid Ride is great but it was executed without enough cooperation from the City. SDOT needs to get with the future and re-engineer traffic patterns in places like the Alaska and Morgan Junctions. Michael Turner says: Still not enough buses. Standing room only during rush-hour. Also, buses arrive at irregular intervals, especially leaving downtown. It seems that boarding takes way longer nowx as people have to pay as they board downtown (where the highest # of people board at once). It would be faster if you could pre-swipe your Orca card at the downtown bus stops, just as you can at the West Seattle bus stops. You missed out “give us a schedule!”. Every other metro route (including those running at 15+ headways) has a schedule. Cheap and easy way to improve rider experience. It is totally clear to me that a 15 min headway is not frequent enough that “you don’t need a schedule”. Why not do it, now? Please. William Weeks says: Running the Rapid Ride C line “every 15 minutes” is not a schedule. There is no scheduled arrival times for the bus so I wind up waiting an indeterminate amount of time which makes my travel time unpredictable. Adding in the time it now takes to walk to the Alaska Junction, wait for a bus to show up my travel time is now much worse than it was with the 54 line. This is not an improvement in service. I am retired and try to avoid commute hours so adding additional buses during the commute hours does not help me. The buses do not run every 15 minutes, get backed up and travel in packs which defeats the whole purpose of running more buses. I also don’t like the seating configuration which has fewer seats and many less seats perpendicular to the aisle which I prefer. Providing more standing room is not an improvement in service. Boarding time particularly downtown can be an additional 5 minutes of waiting. Overall, Rapid Ride C is a reduction in service, an increase in travel time over the 54 line. Bryan Fiedorczyk says: I don’t ride the bus every day, currently several times a week, since I ride my bicycle on most days and try to telework several times a month. My typical route is getting on the C or 55 at the Alaska Junction or at Alaska & Fauntleroy and riding to 2nd and Seneca. My solo bus ride last week was on a C Line bus on Weds 11/14 – I got on about 8:45 am at the Alaska Junction and the bus was already packed; there had obviously been a 10+ minute wait, as I waited at least 8 minutes, no other bus was visible as I walked up and there was already a fairly large crowd waiting. The bus was completely full by the time we reached Alaska and Fauntleroy and unable to take passengers at the last 2-3 stops. My concern is that there still seems to be inadequate service and the large gaps/breaks between buses create the overcrowding situations. It also seems like the routes are not totally synched to actual commuter rushes – yes, quite a few people commute between 6:30 and 8:00 am, but there are also many people who don’t go into the office until 9 or 10 am, partially to avoid heavy commutes, and it seems like there is still lack of service during those times. My bus commutes the past few months have been discouraging enough that I try to avoid that mode, and continue riding my bicycle (which is more challenging in the winter weather/darkness) or taking the water taxi (which now also doesn’t have a commute time later than 8:45 am) Anyway, I appreciate that Metro is trying to address the situation, but the level of service is still not near where it was with the 55, 54 and 54x in my opinion. Rob Forsythe says: The King County transit budget has gone up so it’s hard to understand why service has gone down. I never used to have to stand on a bus before, now it’s every morning I ride it. Dave Rogers says: I often to past downtown, The rapid ride drivers don’t seem to know how to get to Wallingford. The bus used to go there. One driver sent me to Aurora to catch the No. 5. The bus signal light at the first stop is broken and the bus didn’t stop. SudsyMaggie says: Live info on OneBusAway, please! Salle Certo says: I haven’t noticed that boarding is easy and fast, especially in the city. It takes forever at some stops for everyone to load. You say that there is more floor space by design but all this does is make it more difficult to get out because of standing people who aren’t getting out. It would be better if Rapid Ride buses had more seats and the seats were comfortable. The seats are hard and smaller. And why are these new buses breaking down? I have experienced this twice! I hate that the C-line is never on time. Each day the bus arrives at a different time. My bus comes at 6:02am some days, 6:05 some days and 6:10 others. This might not seem like a lot but minutes count when you are waiting and don’t know what time to be at the stop and the minutes count especially if you have to transfer in the city. I often miss my transfer bus then have to wait 10-15 minutes for another. I seem to be getting up earlier and earlier every day just to get to work on time. Why can’t we just have a schedule like we used to? I can’t get to work at the same time, do you expect your employees to be on time? The buses will come a few minutes apart and then nothing. I am sick of the crowding and it isn’t due to more ridership, but because of all the routes that don’t exist now making more people ride the C-Line. I know many people who are driving now because of the inconvenience and I am thinking about it too. I don’t know why you ever changed our service it was perfect before. I hate Rapid Ride but have no choice but to ride it. Thankfully I can catch a 116 on the way home. It might be a longer route but the bus is more comfortable and with all the crowding on the C-Line, the 116 beats it home. I keep wondering with all the money spent on new buses and now adding more to the line, did we really gain anything financially? This isn’t going to make Seattle a better city for transportation. My last point, it would be nice if the people who make these decisions actually commuted by bus every day. Some kind of schedule would be nice-when I need to connect with another bus, 10 minutes plus or minus makes a big difference. sarah beer says: Why have you eliminated buses to the Admiral area during non peak hours? There are many of us who travel mid day and to have to transfer now to get to where we used to on one bus is very inconvenient and for some a hardship. I live in the Admiral District and you cancelled off peak 56 service. 50 does not work for us at all- it goes nowhere. C line is to far. We need 56 back fir our kids to commute to school! Debra Alderman says: Thanks for putting back some of the 55 buses that were eliminated. For those of us who live between the Admiral district and the “Junction”, it makes more sense to hop on to a 55 and ride all the way to downtown. This shortens my commute considerably and relieves crowding on the Rapid Ride, too. 🙂 Cutting the 22 to once an hour instead of increasing it so people can take advantage of catching the RR C in and out of downtown makes no sense at all. A bus that runs once an hour to connect with a bus that arrives every 15 minutes isn’t helpful. The return home is even worse with up to an hour wait to connect with the 22. Put the 22 back to every 25 minutes and every 15 minutes during peak hours. Sandra Coke says: I live on 36th Ave SW between Roxbury and Cambridge. I can catch the 21 Express at 35th & Cambridge headed for downtown during AM commute with no problem. However, the 21 Express leaving downtown Seattle during the PM commute is EXTREMELY LATE and unreliable. If I switch to the RapidRide C line, which is more reliable and frequent, there is no stop EASTBOUND on SW Barton or WESTBOUND SW Roxbury within decent walking distance of my home. Is it possible to put a RapidRide C line stop on EASTBOUND Barton BEFORE the intersection at 35th Ave SW? Gabriela S. says: I’ve seen changes and for that thanks but we also need a bus stop by 35th Ave Sw and Roxbury St. The distance between stops is 0.7 miles and it is not in a straight line or a flat surface, also the sidewalks do not have ramps and as a daughter of a disabled parent I worry. I hope we can enjoy more of this new Line C route. PS We don’t need a fancy Bus stop just the Bus Line C to stop here. Thanks for taking the time. Gabriela S. I have been shocked at how crowded the C-Line busses are from and to West Seattle, even during off peak hours. Nevertheless, people were spoiled by the former system. Now, everyone needs to be more aware. If one is unable to stand, ask for a seat. If one is seated, look up from your gd phone and give up your seat if needed. After all, it’s only a 9 minute ride from downtown to Alaska Junction. People here need to be more assertive and learn proper bus ettiquete and stop moaning. Although, no one should be left at a bus stop. The bus drivers need to be less passive and advise standers to move to the back of the bus. C route to and from ferry remains slower than old 54x or 118 R Teagardin says: You did away with the 54 & 55 and only replaced the 54. That’s why it’s so crowded. Sara Green Williams says: I live in White Center, so the Rapid Ride lines do nothing for us. All we got from these changes was the loss of our direct service to the U District (133), and the loss of direct access to/from our other local neighborhoods (Georgetown, South Park) after 8pm (the 131 being moved to 4th Ave and skipping South Park completely; and the 60 being the only direct route now, and it stops running early in the evening). Our one commuter bus (113) runs very limited hours, especially getting back to WC in the evenings (if I don’t want to be on an hour long bus ride home, I have leave work by 5:20 to catch the last 113 of the day), and it is always full plus some. I do like the pay once system, and not having to keep track of going back up and paying a second time if I pass through a zone. The exit from the rear theory could still use some work (what about doors like the buses in Portland have, where you just push them open yourself to get off in the back?). If you want people to use transit, you’ve got to make it efficient and easy to use. Nothing else is going to get folks out of their cars. Frequent, fast,and reliable service is the only way, and you’ve got to make it easy to use/understand all of the time. All the weekend vs. weekday vs. holiday vs. this version of a route only goes to here but a bus with the same number sometimes goes to here stuff – it’s gotta go. Frequent, fast, and reliable – express buses that loop main areas of neighborhoods. I want to not have to use my car ever except to do big errands and/or road trips. Jonathan Franklin says: So I can’t believe there aren’t any concers about the “D” line. it seems to me that a lot of the same problems exist with it. The bus timing is no where near consistent. I can wait anywhere from 1 minute to 25 minutes for a bus during rush hour. I’m talking southbound, morning rush hour. I just find it hard to believe that it can’t be more consistent. T Radichel says: C Line is useless to me. We need 56 local back! I have to go 45 minutes to get six miles to work. I have to transfer three times or ride the bus eternally to the train. The water taxi helped but now only runs at very likited times. Getting downtown on week ends is very problematic. Today I got on a bus that was an hour late and waited for 15 minutes for a transfer before sloshing to work where I sat with pants drenched to knees. Transfers in winter are not cool. The 56 local used to get me all the way to work in one shot. I was using Zipcar but Seattle Metro is forcing me to buy a car. Seems like the opposite of what should be. Tom Friberg says: The C Line concept does well at meeting my commute needs. Thank you for adding the extra buses in response to the shortfalls. I live at 28th Ave SW and SW Roxbury. When coming from downtown Seattle, the C and #21 now end at SW Barton and 29th Ave SW. This means to get home I have to walk through Roxhill Park (something I don’t do after dark) or wait and transfer to a C line or #21 to get a few blocks home. There are usually 2 C line buses waiting when I get off from downtown and it seems like a long time to wait to make the transfer and get home. I’m not sure if there is a solution to this but I wanted to let you know about this problem. The C line is used to connect to and from various routes. The “comes so often you don’t need a schedule” is ridiculous. The routes the C line connect with are on a specific schedule, so it is difficult to catch a connecting bus when you don’t know when the C line departs or arrives. If you walk upas the C line is departing, it is not uncommon to have to wait 10 minutes or more for the next bus. That is more than enough time to miss a connection. What about Route 56? The busses, especially at 8:00am, are over crowded. And they don’t run in the afternoon anymore. How about using larger busses and extending the current schedules another hour or so. The last trips to downtown should be around noon and the last trip from downtown to West Seattle should be 8-9pm. Jim Knodle says: Where are Metro’s replies to these concerns? On Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 4:42 PM, Metro Matters We greatly appreciate everyone taking the time to share their feedback–this is very helpful information. We’re in the process of reviewing all of the comments and preparing responses. We’ll be sure to post updates as we get them. In the meantime, please keep the conversation going. Leave a Reply to D R Anast Cancel reply '); is_agreed = false; } } else { is_agreed = true; } if (isvalidName == true && isvalidEmail == true && is_agreed == true) { $n(".AjaxLoader").show(); $n('#mysuccess_msg').html(''); $n('#mysuccess_msg').hide(); $n('#myerror_msg').html(''); $n('#myerror_msg').hide(); var name = ""; if ($n('#yourname').length > 0) { name = $n("#yourname").val(); } var nonce = 'c3acc11dac'; var url = 'https://kingcountymetro.blog/wp-content/plugins/email-subscribe/'; var email = $n("#youremail").val(); var str = "action=store_email&email=" + email + '&name=' + name + '&is_agreed=' + is_agreed + '&sec_string=' + nonce; $n.ajax({ type: "POST", url: 'https://kingcountymetro.blog/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php', data: str, async: true, success: function (msg) { if (msg != '') { var result = msg.split("\|"); if (result[0] == 'success') { $n(".AjaxLoader").hide(); $n('#mysuccess_msg').html(result[1]); $n('#mysuccess_msg').show(); setTimeout(function () { $n.fancybox_ns.close(); }, 2000); } else { $n(".AjaxLoader").hide(); $n('#myerror_msg').html(result[1]); $n('#myerror_msg').show(); } } } }); } } var interval_5e25a2e1f0416 = setInterval(function() { if(document.readyState === 'complete') { clearInterval(interval_5e25a2e1f0416); var $n = jQuery.noConflict(); /* if ( $n.browser.msie && $n.browser.version >= 9 ) { $n.support.noCloneEvent = true }*/ var htmlpopup = $n("#formFormEmail").html(); $n("#formFormEmail").remove(); $n('body').on('click', '.shownewsletterbox', function () { $n.fancybox_ns({ 'overlayColor': '#000000', 'hideOnOverlayClick': false, 'padding': 10, 'autoScale': true, 'showCloseButton': true, 'content': htmlpopup, 'transitionIn': 'fade', 'transitionOut': 'elastic', 'width': 560, 'height': 360 }); }); } }, 100);	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24794
__label__wiki	0.859618	0.859618	Why be a member of Kintalk? 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What is Lynch Syndrome? Top 5 Things to Know about Lynch syndrome Diagnosing Lynch Syndrome Managing Lynch Syndrome Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency (CMMRD) Your Invitation to KinTalk Find Your Condition BRCA1 and BRCA2 Diagnosing HBOC Top 5 Things to Know Fanconi Anemia Risk HBOC Next Steps CMMRD Lynch Syndrome Next Steps MLH1 Gene PMS2 Gene EPCAM Gene How To Share Information with Kintalk Tips for Sharing Information Insurance & Genetic Counseling Find a Genetic Counselor Elizabeth (Liz) Reeves knew well from a young age the impact that breast and ovarian cancer could have on a family. Her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid-thirties, and she passed away at age 39, when Liz was seven. Her maternal grandmother had died from ovarian cancer; her maternal aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40. When she was in her mid-twenties, Liz’s OB/GYN suggested that, given her family history, she consider undergoing genetic testing to see if she carried the genetic mutations in her BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that would increase her risk of breast and ovarian cancer. At the time, Liz’s insurance provider would not cover the cost of the testing, and this, together with a concern about the potential impact of a positive result on her health coverage, resulted in her decision to put off testing. At age 35, after her aunt was diagnosed with cancer for a second time and a first cousin was also diagnosed (both testing positive for the BRCA2 genetic mutation), and aware of the passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, Liz made the decision to move forward with genetic testing. In January 2010, she met with genetic counselor Nicola Stewart through the Cancer Risk Program at UCSF Medical Center. Liz brought several family members along, recognizing their shared risk and hoping the information could benefit others who, like herself, had not yet been tested. “My maternal cousin, my sister (neither of whom had yet been diagnosed or tested), and my maternal aunt all joined me for the counseling appointment,” Liz says. “I had a few questions, but I was well-informed enough to know that I would be testing. The counseling appointment felt more important for my cousin and sister who were not as informed. I really wanted to share this experience with them and just confirm my understanding to ensure that I was making a well-informed decision to test.” Following the counseling session, Liz underwent testing that same day, as did her cousin, while her sister chose to wait and spend more time thinking about the decision. The counseling was invaluable, Liz says, as Nicola was able to share information and guide the family in their understanding of the process and its implications, and also facilitate their discussion of the issues involved. “Nicola was truly wonderful in her ability to not only listen to everyone, but hear what each of us were saying, often sensing when one of us needed to be heard or needed to be engaged,” Liz says. The counseling helped the family not only make personal decisions about genetic testing but also to share the information with others in their family. “We were all able to all speak to the remaining family members to convey the importance of testing and to help them make informed decisions,” Liz says. Many of Liz’s family have now undergone genetic testing, though her sister opted not to be tested. The ability to respect one another’s differing views on the decision was another gift of the counseling session. “We learned that it's a very personal decision,” Liz says. “It was hard for me to understand why someone wouldn't want to know their status, until Nicola helped and encouraged my sister to share her reasons. At the end of our counseling appointment, I totally understood. I didn't necessarily agree, but I totally understood my sister's decision.” In the wake of her own positive result, which confirmed that she was at increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer, Liz decided to undergo a prophylactic double mastectomy, followed by reconstruction. Five months after her mastectomy, she was blessed with an unexpected pregnancy and gave birth to her daughter in 2011. Though Liz had struggled with whether or not to have children, given the potential for their increased risk for cancer, she feels empowered by her own experience with genetic counseling and testing and knows her daughter will have the guidance she needs to manage her own risk when she’s ready. “Her father and I decided to hold off on testing our daughter, so that she could have the gift of making her own decision about her health when the time is right. We will solicit the help of a genetic counselor for her at that time.” Reflecting on her decision to undergo counseling and testing and all that has followed, Liz is grateful for the guidance she received and for the outcome of her choices. “I'm so pleased with my decision to test and with the decision to move forward with surgery,” she says. “It was the best decision I could have made for myself. I realize that it’s not the only decision, but it was the right one for me.” Tweets by @KintalkUCSF !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?’http’:’https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+”://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24795
__label__wiki	0.833023	0.833023	PBS Film and Discussion at Madelyn Helling Library Posted: Jun. 14, 2019 7:27 AM PDT It’s a film screening and discussion that will hopefully stimulate a conversation about values in this country. Tomorrow, the Madelyn Helling Library will be showing the P-B-S Documentary ‘American Creed’ with a talk afterwards. Tea Party Patriots co-founder and former Nevada County resident Mark Meckler is featured in the film and will be part of the post-film discussion… Listen to Mark Meckler 1 In the film, Meckler talks about his working relationship with move-on dot-org founder Joan Blades, and how despite being on complete opposite sides of the political spectrum, they could still get along. Meckler says that’s partly why he recently moved to Texas, is because he says that’s not really the case anymore… The film also features former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, historian David Kennedy, baseball manager Joe Maddon, and more. The Madelyn Helling Library is one of only 50 libraries in the country selected for the screening, which is tomorrow at 1pm. It is free and open to the public. Tea Party Patriots and Liberals Spend Time Together Vandal Hits East Main Street Big Little Life of Jeane Kirkpatrick Get To Bed! Tea Party Active in Nevada County Supervisor Candidates Debate for Tea Party	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24796
__label__cc	0.668837	0.331163	USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College Posted by William A. Jacobson Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 9:30am \| 11/5/2017 - 9:30am “The students who smeared me got a safe space complete with coloring books and markers.” I have an Op-Ed today at USA Today on the campaign by student activists at Vassar College to shut down my lecture on “hate speech” and free speech, based on fabricated claims that my appearance posed a danger to student safety. You can read these two posts for background: Safe Spaces and Safety Teams at Vassar College for My Lecture on Free Speech Actual Malice at Vassar College The students behind the campaign are explicitly anti-free speech. They claim there is no individual right to free speech, only a collective right to be free from harmful speech, as I documented in my post, Vassar activists: Free Speech rights invalid “in our white supremacist, patriarchal, capitalist society”. In addition to rejecting the individual protections under the Bill of Rights, the activists have created a sideshow claiming that a change in the name of the speech was the problem. It wasn’t, as I wrote at the Cornell Sun, Setting the record straight on the attempt to silence me at Vassar. I have an Op-Ed today at USA Today about my Vassar experience, and the implications for freedom of speech on campuses, My pro-free speech views made me the target of a smear campaign at Vassar College. Here is an excerpt, but of course, head over to the Op-Ed for the full discussion, and feel free to tweet and share on Facebook: … I’m not a household name. And I’m not particularly controversial, although I do stick out at Cornell as one of only a small number of openly politically conservative faculty members. So despite my campus speeches and conservative politics, I never really thought the anti-free speech mob would come for me. Until they did, at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y…. Because I committed to discussing free speech and the constitutional protection of even hateful speech, I was made the object of hate by student activists who whipped the campus into a frenzy. Why would any right-of-center student, faculty member or guest speaker want to endure what I had to go through? For that matter, why would any liberal defender of free speech want to undergo such a smear campaign? And isn’t that the point? While I was permitted to speak, the message was sent that support for the 1st Amendment and freedom of speech is not welcome. To get to speak on these sensitive yet critical topics means you have to run the gauntlet of anti-free speech progressives. Here is what the student activists didn’t want to happen on campus: 11 11 Comments College Insurrection, free speech, Media Appearance, Vassar College Newish: https://t.co/7W4GL7rvvO https://t.co/vgU2jmWUoi https://t.co/k9LNyw4vh0 https://t.co/ozzyGCHUnW #GamerGate @Refvgee RT @LegInsurrection: USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/Qabc9Zrxt8 @Mark Trueblood @Ron Coleman @dont put name on twi RT @LegInsurrection: Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/O8hrUZOT4e @Meredith Marshall @Suhr Mesa @LizzieK @Nick Chuckles @Christian Toto USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/s6avPI6d0W @Michelle Arace USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/WAbB98K8wo @Kemberlee Kaye USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/klXrqkrlhJ USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/Qabc9Zrxt8 Pathetic!! Hitler would be proud! USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/UcdYNuwOcy @Cathymv - #MAGA USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/bmcgLGQ7bQ @Gary Ostlund Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/fbGWj0MTrc Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/y67R8lKgEu Good night. Read these: https://t.co/7W4GL7rvvO https://t.co/vgU2jmWUoi https://t.co/k9LNyw4vh0 https://t.co/ozzyGCHUnW #GamerGate RT @iluvspringtime: USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/x7ZV05WFOX @Max Never Forget 911 USA Today Op-Ed: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/x7ZV05WFOX @CJ https://t.co/y2aG4Vgr9n via /r/KiA #gamergate @Troy Rubert Esq #LiberalFascism --#CultureWars #HigherEducation WA_Jacobson: Latest Op-Ed, Posted in USA Today (re. #VassarCollege) https://t.co/KY5Ty1qrB4 @OverTheMoonbat Targeted for my pro-free speech views @Vassar: “students who smeared me got safe space w/coloring books & markers.” https://t.co/Tw6TJ3CJRx @somercet @Tabitha Lily @Purple Dalmation RT @BuzzFeedster: Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/Gw2uv62pCP https://t.co/WUgY… @Anthony Maltese @Petra Marquardt-B. @Alison Poole Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/xyB1olVYnn @Hector B. Poole Prof Jacobson...my pro free speech views made me a target at Vassar https://t.co/lc8C8yDLI4 @Newsbeat180l lq Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/Gw2uv62pCP https://t.co/WUgYkFtTll @Buzz Feedster RT @Gunservatively: “The students who smeared me got a safe space complete with coloring books and markers.” https://t.co/U2HmMo9AAi @Randy Scott @franmary “The students who smeared me got a safe space complete with coloring books and markers.” https://t.co/U2HmMo9AAi @Gunservatively @DC Swamp Thing @Carrie Webb @Pamela Smith RT @Chris_1791: Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/cfRdeksh2J via @LegInsurrectio… @Deplorable Vicki C. @Drazi @Greg Boll Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/cfRdeksh2J via… https://t.co/G7mWh4Z3pA @Chris 🇺🇸 Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/RXGwl5hDql https://t.co/0qg4TX5xZG Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College - https://t.co/UTX6JiUc58 @63red @NeoKong Op-Ed at USA Today: My pro-free speech views made me a target at Vassar College https://t.co/O8hrUZOT4e Ragspierre \| November 5, 2017 at 9:59 am Good work, Prof. Matt_SE \| November 5, 2017 at 10:22 am The protesters are just goons, some of them may even be hired astroturf. The actual guilty parties are the administration that allow this intimidation to occur. Where are the expulsions for people actively denying civil rights to speakers and other students? If you want anything to be done about this situation, you need to attack the administrators. mishka \| November 5, 2017 at 10:41 am I noticed a comment on the USA Today site stating people like you should “self control “ you speech and live to fight another day. What nonsense. Self controllling speech is self censorship. In effect it’s letting the left win by abandoning the field of battle. The people in the country should see MORE of these attempts of trying to stifle speech. Make the country MORE aware of what is occurring at our schools. More speech is always desirable to less speech. Arminius \| November 5, 2017 at 11:28 am I’m not the bravest man who ever served in the Navy. There are two in the competition as far as I’m concerned. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=59895479 “Paul Henry Carr” https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/bt1-andrew-gallagher-risked-his-life-to-save-others-aboard-uss-belknap/ Still, I grew up in the wake of the Vietnam war. I was a Coast Guard brat so when I visited the hospital I got to see passageways full of men horribly burned or otherwise mutilated. And I joined anyway. I do not believe these children have anythinng to show me. But that’s not the point. I only bring it up because whatever additive the good professor is putting in his Wheaties, I want some. He’s got some huge brass ones. Valerie \| November 5, 2017 at 1:31 pm These events are faintly reminiscent of my Constitutional Law class. We had reached the decisions relating to the subject of pornography, which had of course put the class in a merry, talkative mood ahead of time. We arrived at class to see the chalkboard (yes, that long ago) had written on it, “What kind of Sex is pornography?” The class was full by the time the professor came in, walked casually in front of the chalkboard, and wrote “Fun” underneath. In a similar manner, the Criminal Law professor opened up class one day with the question, “What constitutes a deadly weapon?” After a little discussion, he offered, “a pencil?” which led to a discussion about whether the words written down could be deadly. At that point, he silently held up a pencil, grounded the eraser against his palm, and curled his fingers around it to make a fist. Oh. Yeah, that’s a weapon. Very young adults usually have not yet thought clearly or deeply or with particularity about any number of controversial subjects. Further, what “teaching” they have had on many politicized subjects has been designed to interfere with rational thought, rather than promote it. I am concerned that our young people in our colleges are being subjected to a great deal of demagoguery, some of which clearly promotes violence rather than voting as a political solution. Milhouse \| November 5, 2017 at 6:48 pm But should a pencil (or a chair, or any other found object, whose purpose is not to harm people) be classed as a weapon? When the legislature created the offense of “assault with a deadly weapon”, I’m pretty sure they didn’t intend to give prosecutors the gift of being able to throw one more charge against anyone who happened to pick up and use a found object in the course of the crime he’s already charged with. If the defendant tried to beat someone to death with a chair, you’ve already charged him with attempted murder; why do you think it’s right or proper, let alone necessary, to pile on assault with a deadly weapon? How is his crime any worse than if he’d used his bare hands? I don’t think it’s right. I also think it subverts the purpose of the law. I think the legislature meant to deter criminals from using actual weapons in their crimes, objects whose purpose is to deal damage. It wanted them to stop before using such objects, and consider that it will go better for them if they refrain. Charging everyone who uses any kind of object defeats this purpose. (This is an actual case. A friend of mine was the prosecutor, and he was shocked that the stupid grand jury no-billed him. He was even more shocked when I told him I agreed with them and would have done the same.) Arminius \| November 6, 2017 at 3:55 am The kids are alright. Yeah maybeh It sounds like I’m just saying something. But I had no choice. I put my life in the hands of eighteen year olds. In the eighties, in the nineties, in the first decade of this century. In every decade they’ve rogered up. Arminius \| November 5, 2017 at 1:58 pm Ow. That’s how you want to remember me by. bw222 \| November 5, 2017 at 8:00 pm It’s amazing that students attending a college that charges $52,320 just for tuition would be protesting against a patriarchal, capitalist society” that they benefit from. Sometimes you can cut through the hypocrisy with a knife. Paul In Sweden \| November 6, 2017 at 8:22 pm This Playbook looks awfully familiar: Columbia Law Professor Lays Out Methods for Banning ‘Threatening’ Guest Speakers – Breitbart by Tom Ciccotta6 Nov 2017 In an essay for the Knight First Amendment Institute, Goldberg laid out three possible options concerned students can take if they decide to shut down an upcoming guest lecture event. Goldberg argues that students should embrace the “heckler’s veto,” or the notion that threats of violence from those planning to attend controversial events should justify administrative decisions to cancel such events. First is an approach that looks to past events to predict future costs. Here, a school might exclude speakers whose recent events have been accompanied by violence or severe disruption or perhaps by protests that are large, vigorous, and non-violent. Second is an approach that seeks to predict event-management costs based on the risks posed by a speaker’s message. Here the focus on would be on the extent to which a speaker’s usual message encourages violence and harassment either generally or toward specific groups within the community, even though the message has not previously prompted violence or large, unruly protests. Third is an approach that focuses on costs over time from messages that community members experience as threatening, not necessarily of imminent violence but of longer-term harm. More particularly, this approach would potentially exclude speakers who are known to express derogatory messages that leave certain community members feeling threatened and exposed to increased risk as a result. http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/11/06/columbia-law-professor-lays-out-methods-for-banning-threatening-guest-speakers/ Another Ed \| November 9, 2017 at 1:25 am “The students behind the campaign are explicitly anti-free speech. They claim there is no individual right to free speech, only a collective right to be free from harmful speech…” The parallels to the Second Amendment collective vs. individual rights arguments are intriguing.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24798
__label__cc	0.540765	0.459235	Home Achieve and maintain your goals: Start a nutrition program with Leslie today! PhoneAppointment Bookings Leslie Beck's Three Month Diet & Nutrition Program Leslie Beck's Optimal Health & Nutrition Program Low FODMAP Diet Program for IBS Nutrition Seminars and Workshops Healthy Ways to Lose Weight Healthy Ways to Gain Weight Recommended Portion Sizes Q & A with Leslie about The No-Fail Diet What's Inside The No-Fail Diet? Sample Menu from The No-Fail Diet: Week 3, Sunday Sample Menu from The No-Fail Diet: Week 7, Tuesday About Leslie Contact Leslie Beck Subscribe to Leslie's eNewsletter Leslie's RSS Feeds While dried dates are the most popular form of the fruit, fresh dates, date syrup, date paste, even date flour are also available lending to the versatility to this flavourful fruit. While folklore has long regarded dates for their ability to remedy everything from a sore throat to a toothache, no studies have yet to confirm these claims. What is known, however, is that dates are nutritious. They provide a good source of fibre and potassium, a mineral that helps maintain healthy blood pressure. According to Canada's Food Guide, a serving of dried fruit, dates included, is 1/4 cup, about 8 dried dates. One serving provides 169 calories, 0.2 grams of fat, 45 grams of carbohydrate, 4.8 grams of fibre, 0.6 mg of iron and 394 mg of potassium. Fresh dates are a good source of vitamin C, but most of the vitamin is lost through the drying process. As result, dried dates contain minimal amounts of the vitamin. Since dried fruit is dehydrated and more concentrated than its fresh counterpart, it delivers more calories and nutrients gram for gram. Here's the nutrient breakdown for one Food Guide serving of dried dates: Per 1/4 cup or 60 ml (about 8 dried dates): Saturated Fat 0 g Protein 1.5 g Carbohydrate 45 mg Fibre 4.8 g Calcium 23 mg Folate 11 mcg Iron 0.6 mg Phosphorus 37 mg Vitamin C 0.24 mg Source: Canadian Nutrient File, 2007b Dates are an oval shaped fruit that measures 2.5 to 5 cm long and 1.5 to 2.5 cm in diameter; they contain a large single seed that runs the length of the fruit. Before dates ripen they range in colour from bright red to bright yellow. As they ripen, their colour changes to dark brown and they shrivel up, similar to a prune. It's estimated that date palms have been cultivated for thousands of years, and as a result there are hundreds of different varieties. The most common ones include Barhee, Halawy, Khadrawy, Medjool, Noor and Thoory. Date varieties can be soft, semi-dry and dry. Depending where dates are cultivated, and the soil they are grown in, they will have a slightly different colour, taste and size. Dates ripen in four stages: unripe; full size and crunchy; ripe and soft; and ripe and sun-dried. Each stage of the ripening process has a special Arabic name and each is regarded for it's unique culinary properties. Fresh dates are available from September until May, with their peak season being November. Dried dates are readily available all year round. When buying fresh dates, choose ones that have a smooth, shiny skin and avoid those that are shriveled or show signs of damage or mould. Dried dates are usually sold in boxes, whereas chopped, or sugar coated dates are often found in the baking aisle of major grocery stores. Look for dried dates that are wrapped tightly and do not show any signs of damage. Fresh dates can be stored in an airtight container in the crisper section of a refrigerator for up to one month. Dried dates, as long as they remain well sealed, will keep for up to one year in a cool, dark place, or in the fridge. Dried dates also freeze well, making this an easy way to prolong their shelf life (as long as they are sealed tightly). Whether you eat them on their own, stuff them with nuts, add them to baked goods or cover them with chocolate, the natural sweetness of dates makes them a delicious addition to many dishes. To pit dried dates simply slice the date length-wise and remove the pit. To prevent the knife from sticking to the fruit, periodically dip the blade of the knife in a glass of warm water. Healthy ways to enjoy Add chopped dates to your favourite whole grain cereal. Make a homemade granola with chopped dates, sliced almonds, rolled oats, dried cranberries and flaxseeds. Toast in the oven for 7 minutes at 350°F and then store in a sealed, airtight container. Add a handful of dried dates to a spinach salad for a touch of sweetness Make a whole grain salad by mixing cooked quinoa with chopped dates, fresh mint, chopped parsley and sliced tomatoes. Toss with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Make tasty hors d'oeuvres by stuffing dates with a teaspoon of herbed goat cheese, wrapping in a fresh basil leaf and then wrapping it again in a thin slice of prosciutto - secure with a toothpick and place under the broiler until the cheese bubbles. Serve warm. Make a bulgur pilaf with chopped dried dates, dried apricots and toasted walnuts. Season with cinnamon and curry powder. Wow your dinner guests by serving a decadent and slightly exotic chocolate fondue for dessert - include fresh or dried dates, mangos, star fruit, papaya and pineapple for dipping. Snacks: Dates high sugar (natural sugars) content make them a healthy alternative to candy and sweets - keep a few handy when you're on the run and need a quick pick-me-up. Stuff dates with nuts, such as pistachios or almonds, for a satisfying snack. Use chopped dates in place of raisins in your favourite baking recipes. Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_palm California Date Administrative Committee - http://www.datesaregreat.com/ Dates are often used during Ramadan to break the fast between sunrise and sundown. The holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, is a three-day celebration in which dates play a prominent role in many of the traditional dishes. Dates used to be eaten by travelers moving across the desert because they didn't require refrigeration and were a concentrated source of sugar and energy. When date palms are mature and at their peak, they can produce up to 260 pounds of dates per harvest season. Start one of Leslie's Nutrition/Weight Loss Programs today! Recipes with Dates Couscous Salad With Dates And Almonds Date Chutney Fig, Date, and Walnut Quick Bread Goat Cheese and Chocolate-Stuffed Dates Grapefruit, Mustard Green, and Date Salad Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Dates and Pearl Onions 10 ways to stick to your 2020 weight loss plan If you’ve vowed to lose weight this year, chances are you’re off to a good start eating right and exercising. You've done well for the past two… Evidence growing for proposed benefits of intermittent fasting Books by Leslie Beck see all books + About Leslie Beck, RD About Leslie Beck Working with Leslie Three Month Weight Management Program Optimal Health & Nutrition Counselling Program Low FODMAP Diet for IBS Waist/Hip Ratio Calculator Copyright © 2020 Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices. Leslie is regularly featured in: Book Leslie Beck as a speaker »	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24799
__label__cc	0.677473	0.322527	Down Home With Pootie Let’s Drink to the Slobbering Classes By Joe Bageant Well, even though our buddy Joe is dead, we just can’t get enough of him. Nor, it seems, can many of his other loyal readers. Thankfully, for those of us around the bar who miss his top-shelf wisdom and his speed-rack wit, Joe’s good friend Ken Smith compiled and published fifty of Bageant’s best essays in the new book, Waltzing at the Doomsday Ball. Scribe Publications, 2011. The La Cuadra editorial board (a.k.a. Mike, John and a bottle of Mezcal) decided to run one of those essays in this issue. Maybe reading this will encourage a few of our readers to pick up any of Joe’s three remarkable books. Along with Waltzing, Joe also published Deer Hunting with Jesus — Dispatches. From America’s Class War, Broadway Press, 2008, and Rainbow Pie — A Redneck Memoir, Scribe Publications, 2011. For readers who’ve come to know Joe through La Cuadra, well, here’s another little treat for you. Waltzing at the Doomsday Ball is currently available for Kindle through Amazon and in paperback if you happen to be in a bookstore in Australia. Let it be known: we’re offering a free bottle of Ilegal Mezcal to whomever first brings a copy of the book down to Café No Sé. Together we’ll raise a glass to our absent friend. This essay was written in the Spring of 2005. Raise your glass to the hard working people Let’s drink to the uncounted heads Let’s think of the wavering millions Who need leaders but get gamblers instead Salt of the Earth, The Rolling Stones I stopped into Larry’s Gas ’n Grubs for my regular morning commuter coffee mug refill and lo and be damned! There was my hirsute 300-pound friend Poot working at the counter. I said, “What the hell are you doing ringing up my coffee at this crap stand? You’re supposed to be a welder, fat boy!” It turns out that Poot, who’d lost his job with a metal fabricator, took on a little private contracting work. However, he couldn’t afford to get his contractor’s license and was busted for working without one. And got thrown in jail for it too. Somehow I would have thought it was a lesser offense than that. Now he is on jail work release to work at Larry’s Gas ’n Grubs, an area 6-location chain of convenience stores that regularly hires work release labor at super cheap rates. By court order Poot must work there at least until August and pay the great state of Virginia a big chunk of his wages for the privilege. This represents nothing less than chattel slavery under the local judicial system, impressments of the same sort as have always been practiced on blacks and poor whites here in the slave states. Throw them in jail, and then farm them out on work release to local industry and businesses in cahoots politically with local law officials and courts. In fact, in a new twist on the game, the masters of our little Virginia banana republic brought in a huge regional jail. It is now a provider of cheap local work release labor, even as the taxpayers foot the bill for housing and feeding the jailbirds, and the jailbirds seldom return to their hometowns up nawth, choosing instead to shack up with the fetching local wenches. You Yankees have no idea what Bush’s election has kicked off in the American South. Our congenital penchant for punishment and press gang labor has ushered in a new era of prison building unseen since the days of Uncle Joe Stalin. Down here we know what to do with uncooperative folks like the hapless Pootie and the dope fiends our prison industry imports in from seven other states: Lock ’em the fuck up and make a profit on ’em. Rehabilitation, Republican style. But getting back to Poot. When crap happens to working people, it’s usually a domino line of crap. It is bad enough that Poot lost his apartment when he landed in the hoosegow, and will have to find a new one in August, along with a new job, unless he decides to starve to death by remaining at Gas ’n Grubs. He also lost his truck along the way. I am almost willing to bet that his life will never recover from this setback. Meanwhile, something even worse has come of this run-in with American penology’s gulag system of white trash labor: By court order Poot cannot set foot in Burt’s Tavern until August. He may not survive such a blow. That was a week ago. Now it’s Friday and there’s nothing stopping me from making the usual ass of myself at Burt’s, with or without my fat hairy friend. Aaaaannd of course there he sits over in the corner of the bar! Stupid me. I should have known no court order could keep that 300-pounds of redneck sin out of a tavern. So there sits Poot explaining to Nance Kelly his talent for hooking up with the wrong woman. For the record, the wrong kind of woman is any woman: 1) whose name does not match the one on your marriage certificate, 2) who is middle aged and taking both progesterone AND thorazine or 3) speaks in tongues at church. Whatever the case, Poot has a snowball’s chance in the Sahara of ever hooking up with Nance. Poot’s “Drink until you want me” approach is not going to work on her. Nance is 32, hillbilly cute, and raising two kids with the help of her mom. She drives a “deep reach” machine on the loading dock at the local Rubbermaid plant. For the benefit of you patricians out there, a deep reach is a kind of forklift that can reach 30 feet up and into stacks of pallets. They are usually driven by men, which makes Nance a “women’s libber” by working class labor standards. Active in her fundamentalist church, she does not drink and seldom dates, yet strangely enough she comes in here occasionally and sips on cokes (I don’t even want to know the psychology underlying that little game). Her coworkers call her “Termite” because of her stature, but we old farts in the back booth call her “Magnum Muff,” and when she parks that tush of hers on a barstool, well, we old geezers at Burt’s are reduced to humble wonder. Quite a few young ones too, I would suspect. But we are supposed to talk politics in these columns, aren’t we? (sigh) Politically, Nance is anti-union, anti-abortion and vaguely aware of N.O.W. (National Organization of Women), which registers in her mind as “A bunch of lesbians out on the West Coast.” Nance is a Republican much as a fish is a creature of the ocean. Because of her caste in America (lower working class, Southern, high school educated, semi-fundamentalist Christian), she does not know a single registered Democrat. We’ve discussed it and neither of us could think of a Democrat she personally knew. “I know you,” she offered. “That doesn’t count,” I replied, “because I am a godless commie.” But the point is that for many working class Americans it is possible not to know a single person of liberal persuasion in daily life — which must seem inconceivable to urban and metropolitan Americans. A night in any tavern in this town shows why this is possible. Can you spell American C-L-A-S-S system? 2 thoughts on “Down Home With Pootie” Lon Marshall says: If you could have seen the look on my face when I saw that book cover. Michael Tallon says: I kinda figured you’d seen the book before, so I hope it was a pleasant surprise. I haven’t been able to lay hands on a copy, yet, but I’m trying. All the best. Joe Bageant, author of Deer Hunting With Jesus and the master of www.joebageant.com, is one of America's most piercing social critics. He has been kind enough to allow La Cuadra to republish several of his essays and is threatening to come down and visit us at some point in the coming months. We plan to slay the fatted keg upon his arrival. We'll keep you posted. Read more by Joe Bageant Read more from First Person Shooter Tags: america \| central america \| creative non-fiction \| economy \| funny \| Latin America \| politics \| United States First Person Shooter - The Bookstore Stories Lemmings, Unforgivable, Apocalypse Now, and Victor By Bill McGowan First Person Shooter - The Gatekeeper By Jim Knipfel First Person Shooter - Fractured Memories . . . . . . And The Primacy of Personality By Kevin Petrie	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24805
__label__cc	0.537174	0.462826	Home Patents Oregon Portland Portland, Oregon Patents Lawyers Spencer K Hunter Portland, OR Patents Attorney with 10 years experience (971) 230-1067 707 SW Washington St. Free ConsultationPatents and IP Spencer practices with the law firm of Elliott, Ostrander & Preston, P.C. which has been in practice for more than 20 years, providing legal representation to, and primarily focused on, business and corporate guidance. At Elliott, Ostrander & Preston, Spencer focuses specifically on the preparation and prosecution of complex software and communications related patent applications. As a former software engineer for Silicon Valley companies, Spencer understands the language and needs of your developers. Whether discussing cloud computing, data communications, databases, or data processing, Spencer can quickly engage with your technical experts and tackle the difficult challenge of presenting software based technologies... Howard Alan Newman MBA (503) 535-8040 1001 SW 5th Avenue Free ConsultationPatents, Appeals, Business and IP Mr. Newman's clientele have included law firms, individuals, and small and medium sized entities in various locations in the United States and around the world, including a niche Brasilian practice. In addition to Mr. Newman's legal experience as a registered patent attorney and working as a litigation and a transactional attorney, he has worked as a CEO of a start-up company, as an associate in an incubator, and he has performed financial valuations of intellectual property both as a function of litigation and arms-length transactions. John Russell (503) 459-4141 806 SW Broadway Patents and IP Karen Dana Oster Lake Oswego, OR Patents Attorney with 29 years experience (503) 810-2560 16869 SW 65th Avenue Meng Ouyang Eugene, OR Patents Lawyer with 9 years experience 1158 High Street Patents, Business, IP and Trademarks A chemistry and computer science major, once an international student then an immigrant, worked in a variety of fields, speak English and Mandarin fluently, and I care and have compassion for other people. I have a high standard for myself and will work for you with the same standard. Donn Kevin Harms Bend, OR Patents Attorney with 30 years experience (541) 550-7285 642 SW PeakView Place Free ConsultationPatents, IP and Trademarks Donn K. Harms is a Registered Patent Attorney also handling business and corporate law matters since 1988, with heavy emphasis on trademarks, copyrights, patents, and licensing matters. Mr. Harms has served as a Professor of Patent Law and Trademark Law at the University of California at San Diego, and has offices in Bend, Oregon, and in Del Mar, California. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Harms owned and operated a small business with 50 employees for over 15 years. From actually starting and running a small business, he has a vast amount of practical experience in small business operation. Mr. Harms... Celia Leber (541) 385-9140 2682 NW Shields Dr. Patents Attorneys in Nearby Cities Cedar Mill West Slope Patents Attorneys in Nearby Counties The Oyez Lawyer Directory contains lawyers who have claimed their profiles and are actively seeking clients. Find more Portland, Oregon Patents Lawyers in the Justia Legal Services and Lawyers Directory which includes profiles of more than one million lawyers licensed to practice in the United States, in addition to profiles of legal aid, pro bono and legal service organizations.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24816
__label__wiki	0.941344	0.941344	Building work for Elland Road park and ride expansion begins Construction work to create an extra 550 spaces to Elland Road park and ride has started. The Council’s Connecting Leeds programme is set to create an additional 2,000 park and ride spaces across the city by March 2021. The work on £20m major works to start on transforming The Headrow in Leeds From September 2019, bus services and stops in Leeds city centre will change as Connecting Leeds starts major works on The Headrow. Leeds City Council’s Connecting Leeds programme is set to transform transport in the city centre into world-class gateways for Senior councillors in Leeds to agree bus priority measures along the A61 North and A65 signal upgrades Senior councillors in Leeds will discuss an update on the plan to transform transport and travel in and around the city at a meeting next week. At the council’s executive board on Wednesday 26 June, councillors will consider a report to Senior councillors in Leeds to agree £20.7 million plan to transform city centre transport Senior councillors in Leeds will discuss an update on plans to transform transport and travel in and around the city centre at a meeting next week. At the council’s executive board on Wednesday 17 April, councillors will consider a report to Phase two of Leeds PIPES district heating network set to get the go ahead The Leeds PIPES district heating network (DHN) could be rolled out across the city centre sooner than expected thanks to the opportunity to coordinate with transport and road network proposals for the Headrow. The council are looking to accelerate the second Leeds welcomes announcement from Channel 4 about the composition of National HQ in the city Leeds and the wider city region welcome the news from Channel 4 that creative and digital departments will sit at the heart of the new national HQ in Leeds. Councilor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council said: “It is fantastic to Employment Hub launched in Leeds City Region A new Employment Hub has launched as part of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s (the LEP) commitment to address current and future skills shortages in the region. The free programme will engage over 6,000 young people over three years, with support Independent film and TV production sector in Leeds receives another boost The trade association for independent TV production companies in the UK has announced it will open an office in Leeds later this year. Pact has announced the office opening along with major investment into new services to support the UK independent Expanded North and West Yorkshire business rates pilot scheme approved A combined bid by local authorities across North and West Yorkshire to retain most of its business rates growth to invest locally has been approved by the government. The successful bid to create the North and West Yorkshire Business Rates Pool Closure to A64 slip road to allow for further work to the district heating work As part of ongoing work to deliver the Leeds PIPES Network the A64 slip road crossing under the New York Road Tunnel will be closed this weekend. From 20:00 on Friday 16th November to 05:00 on Monday 19th November 2018 there Statement from the leader of Leeds City Council on the upcoming Channel 4 progress report being presented to Executive Board Following on from the landmark moment of Channel 4 choosing Leeds as the location for its national HQ, the council’s executive board will meet next week (Wednesday 21 November) to discuss next steps and the wider impact this decision has Channel 4 chooses to Be the Spark in the Leeds City Region Channel 4 has confirmed the Leeds City Region will be the home of its new national headquarters. The announcement follows two years of discussions with the broadcaster led by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership with cross-party support from local authority Masterplan for South Bank and remodelled Leeds Station formally adopted by Leeds City Council planners The continued regeneration of the South Bank area of Leeds including plans to maximise the remodelling of Leeds Station has taken a significant step forward. Leeds City Council has now formally adopted the master plan guiding all key developments in the Over 15,000 responses to Connecting Leeds transport plans The first two phases of consultation and engagement on the plans to transform transport and travel in Leeds resulted in more than 15,000 responses being received. The second phase of the consultation and engagement on proposed road, rail and park and Leeds City Council to extend free Wi-Fi into 20 community buildings Free Wi-Fi is to become available at 20 community buildings across Leeds as part of a leading digital skills programme being delivered by Leeds City Council. Following the successful introduction of free Wi-Fi in most council buildings, the programme is now Full closure to Marsh Lane this weekend for next stage of district heating work As part of our ongoing work to deliver the Leeds PIPES Network there will be a full closure on Marsh Lane this weekend. From Friday 10th August at 8pm, the full closure will be in place in both directions on Marsh Marsh Lane partly closed this weekend for district heating installation work Marsh Lane is to be partly closed this weekend to allow work to take place on the creation of the Leeds PIPES district heating network. The road will be closed northbound from 8pm on Friday 27 July until 5 am on Leeds delegation set for stateside Boston mission A delegation of industry leaders from Leeds is heading to Boston in America this week to strengthen and develop links between the two cities. Building on visits to Leeds from delegates from Greater Boston in recent years, the trip taking place Deadline extended for public feedback on Connecting Leeds transport plans The latest stage of the public engagement on plans to help transform transport and travel in and around Leeds is being extended. The engagement and consultation on the plans which include proposals for new rail stations at White Rose and Thorpe Let the training take the strain Let the training take the strain is the message as HS2 scheme gives Leeds youngsters a glimpse of work in infrastructure. Over 300 students from Leeds schools have been getting a glimpse of the future with an award-winning scheme offering the	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24818
__label__cc	0.546822	0.453178	Seizure legal definition of Seizure https://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Seizure Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Forcible possession; a grasping, snatching, or putting in possession. In Criminal Law, a seizure is the forcible taking of property by a government law enforcement official from a person who is suspected of violating, or is known to have violated, the law. A Search Warrant usually must be presented to the person before his property is seized, unless the circumstances of the seizure justify a warrantless Search and Seizure. For example, the police may seize a pistol in the coat pocket of a person arrested during a Robbery without presenting a warrant because the search and seizure is incident to a lawful arrest. Certain federal and state laws provide for the seizure of particular property that was used in the commission of a crime or that is illegal to possess, such as explosives used in violation of federal law or illegal narcotics. In the law of civil practice, the term refers to the act performed by an officer of the law under court order when she takes into custody the property of a person against whom a court has rendered a judgment to pay a certain amount of money to another. The property is seized so that it can be sold under the authority of the court to satisfy the judgment. Property can also be seized if a substantial likelihood exists that a defendant is concealing or removing property from the jurisdiction of the court so that in the event a judgment is rendered against her, the property cannot be used to pay the judgment. By attaching or seizing a defendant's property, the court prevents her from perpetrating a Fraud on the courts. n. the taking by law enforcement officers of potential evidence in a criminal case. The constitutional limitations on seizure are the same as for search. Thus, evidence seized without a search warrant or without "probable cause" to believe a crime has been committed and without time to get a search warrant, cannot be admitted in court, nor can evidence traced through the illegal seizure. (See: search and seizure, search warrant, fruit of the poisonous tree) SEIZURE, practice. The act of taking possession of the property of a person condemned by the judgment of a competent tribunal, to pay a certain sum of money, by a sheriff, constable, or other officer, lawfully authorized thereto, by virtue of an execution, for the purpose of having such property sold according to law to satisfy the judgment. By seizure is also meant the taking possession of goods for a violation of a public law; as the taking possession of a ship for attempting an illicit trade. 2 Cranch, 18 7; 6 Cowen, 404; 4 Wheat. 100; 1 Gallis. 75; 2 Wash. C. C. 127, 567. 2. The seizure is complete as soon as the goods are within the power of the officer. 3 Rawle's Rep. 401; 16 Johns. Rep. 287; 2 Nott & McCord, 392; 2 Rawle's Rep. 142; Wats. on Sher. 172; Com. Dig. Execution, C 5. 3. The taking of part of the goods in a house, however, by virtue of a fieri facias in the name of the whole, is a good seizure of all. 8 East, R. 474. As the seizure must be made by virtue of an execution, it is evident that it cannot be made after the return day. 2 Caine's Rep. 243; 4 John. R. 450. Vide Door; House; Search Warrant. Automobile Searches Ballinger, William Pitt Bering Sea Dispute Body Execution Brief for Respondent Cameras in Court Clark, Tom Campbell Clifford, Clark McAdams First, let's deal with the seizures. Springers are more likely than many other breeds to have seizures. Understanding Seizures: If you think the preventative medication you're using is causing your dog to have seizures, you may be wrong [USA], July 22 (ANI): A recent study has uncovered an innovative approach to possibly slow the progression of epilepsy and reduce seizures in newborns. Neurons help in reducing seizures in newborns: Study Unprovoked seizure is defined as convulsive episodes occurring in the absence of a potentially responsible clinical condition or beyond the interval estimated for the occurrence of acute symptomatic seizures. A STUDY ON CLINICO-ETIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF INFANTS PRESENTING WITH FIRST EPISODE OF SEIZURE IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL The primary efficacy endpoint for Study 1 was treatment success, defined as the termination of seizures within ten minutes after the initial blinded dose of study drug and the absence of a recurrence of seizures within six hours of the initial blinded dose of study drug. UCB awarded the US FDA approval of NDA for the new anti-epileptic drug (AED) (midazolam) nasal spray CIV After the seizure has stopped, gently put them into the recovery position and check their breathing is returning to normal. FIRST AID FOR EPILEPTICS; DR MIRIAM STOPPARD; Helping to keep you fit and healthy What has made seizure detection so difficult is that there are several types of seizures and several factors that can cause them. Dogs Prove There is a Scent Associated to Epileptic Seizures According to the NDA safety database, the seizure rate attributed to ziprasidone was 1.8 per 100 subject-years or 0.54% of participants (12 of 2,588). Antipsychotics and seizures: What are the risks? Some agents may lower the seizure threshold, but higher-quality evidence is needed announced today that based on topline results, the primary efficacy endpoint was met in a Phase III clinical study (Study 342) conducted for submission in Japan, which evaluated its in-house discovered antiepileptic drug (AED) Fycompa (perampanel) as monotherapy for partial-onset seizures. Based on the results of this study, Eisai plans to file an application seeking approval of Fycompa as monotherapy for partial onset seizures in Japan during fiscal 2018. Eisai: Primary Endpoint Met in Phase III Clinical Study of Fycompa It is a description of seizure activity for which no underlying cause can be found. Search for the Cause of Seizures: Significant clues include the age of onset, the dog's breed, and his response to treatment Is Iron Insufficiency Associated With Febrile Seizure? Experience in an Iranian Hospital. IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA - A RISK FACTOR FOR FEBRILE SEIZURES IN CHILDREN In China it is estimated that there are approximately 9 million patients with epilepsy, with approximately 60% being affected by partial-onset seizures, and 40% of these patients with partial-onset seizures require adjunctive treatment.1 As approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy are unable to control their seizures with currently available AEDs,2 this is a disease with significant unmet medical need. Japan : New Drug Application for Perampanel for Adjunctive Treatment of Partial Onset Seizures Accepted in China When referring to seizures, the study used the following identifiers: location of seizure, month and year of seizure, and weight of seizure (in metric tons). DNA tests expose Africa's ivory export cartels with roots in Kenya, Uganda secured transaction Security deposit, failure to return Security for costs security of tenure Securius expediuntur negotia commissa pluribus Secus Seditious Libel Seignior or seigneur Seigniory seised seisin seizure of goods Selden Society Selden, John Selecti judices Selectman or Selectwoman self-executing Self-Executing Treaty self-serving Selling laptop on yahoo semble Semel malus semper praesumitur esse malus in eodem genere Seminaufragium Semi-proof Semper ita fiat relatio ut valeat dispositio seizing somebody with seizing someone with seizing the day seizing the moment seizing the moral high ground seizing the opportunity seizing them with seizing upon seizing us with seizing with seizing you with seizings seizins seizor Seizure (law) Seizure (medicine) Seizure alert dog seizure management Seizure Notice Seizure Notices Seizure of the Dublin General Post Office (GPO) seizure p Seizure response dog seizure threshold	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24821
__label__wiki	0.836078	0.836078	Chris Brown Debuts New Colorful Hair, Internet Isn't Impressed WENN/FayesVision The rainbow-colored hairdo, which is apparently inspired by Willy Wonka and 'Jurassic Park', draws mixed responses from the 'Look at Me Now' singer's fans and social media users. AceShowbiz - Chris Brown has shocked people again with his new hair colors. On Wednesday, December 4, the rapper/singer/dancer, who reportedly recently welcomed his second child, took to Instagram to show off his rainbow-colored hairdo in two pictures. One side of his hair features hues of purple, green and teal in seemingly random pattern, while another side shows yellow and red which are in contrast to his dark facial hair. "WILLYWONKA X JURASSIC PARK," the 30-year-old wrote in the caption, suggesting that his new hairdo is inspired by the title character in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" as well as the fictional dinosaur park in the "Jurassic Park" movies. In no time, the comment section of Chris' post was flooded with tons of comments from his fans and fellow social media users, who weighed in on his newly-dyed hair. "We slowly losing him," an unimpressed user wrote. A fan also doesn't like it, writing, "Uh Chris I love you but this snow cone look isn't hitting for me." "Explosion at the Crayola factory," someone described Chris' hair colors. Another called it a "mess." Some others speculated that the "Beautiful People" hitmaker made such extreme move because the stress took its toll on him or he was under the influence of "drugs." There were others who still supported Chris though, with one writing, "Anything he does suits him." Another simply commented, "I like it." Hitting back at the hatters, one wrote, "He's different. Let this man breathe . Sheesh y'all negative comments irk me ." Someone else dubbed Chris' new do "the best I have ever seen." This isn't the first time Chris is criticized for his hairstyle. Back in October, many also disapproved of his wild look of blond and purple hair with flame patterns. "Ard (sic) Chris you going to far i this is a sign of depression," one commented at the time, while a concerned fan remarked, "Chris brown better not be back on crack." Tom Hardy Gets Called 'Gorilla' by Shia LaBeouf: He Likes to Pee on the Set Ian Somerhalder Recalls 'Fun' Experience of Losing Virginity at 13 Chris Brown's BM Ammika Harris Keeps Positive Attitude After Hater Calls Her 'Average' Looking Ammika Harris Claps Back at Troll Criticizing Her for Bringing Son to Germany Without Chris Brown Ammika Harris Claps Back at Claim Chris Brown Isn't in Love With Her After Marriage Rumors Fans Convinced Chris Brown and Ammika Harris Are Married Because of Their Matching Rings Chris Brown Fuels Reconciliation Rumors With Baby Mama Ammika Harris in Flirty IG Exhanges	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24835
__label__wiki	0.578361	0.578361	Samantha Markle interview on Good Morning Britain. Picture: ITV Markle’s sister makes most humiliating move yet by Julius Young 23rd Jul 2018 10:45 AM MEGHAN Markle's half-sister, Samantha Grant, has reportedly scored herself a spot on the British version of Celebrity Big Brother in what the Viacom-owned network Channel 5 is billing as The Eye of The Storm. The report comes just two months after Meghan tied the knot with Prince Harry. Prior to the wedding, Samantha allegedly staged paparazzi photos for their father and made off-the-cuff remarks to Piers Morgan suggesting that Harry would be better off marrying someone else. In addition to publicly shading Meghan, Samantha is also rumoured to be penning an autobiography called The Diary of Princess Pushy's Sister. Samantha Markle: “Life is about cashing in.” Picture: ITV Markle, who will reportedly collect a six-figure payday from the show appeared to confirm her involvement to Inside Edition, telling the outlet, "Life is about cashing in. You take opportunities as they arise and hopefully you enjoy the ride and make it as positive as you can. There's nothing wrong with it." Although the 53-year-old hasn't been afraid of criticising her duchess sister in the media, she's adamant that her appearance on the hit UK show will have nothing to do with the newest royal. "The purpose of that show would not be to discuss her," she said. The British season of Celebrity Big Brother is slated to begin filming this August. Reps for the show did not immediately respond to request for comment. This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission. Meghan’s sister won’t stop with the hate Sister begs Meghan to reunite the family Cops nab Markle’s sister-in-law Meghan’s dad blasts Queen over Trump Meghan’s half-sister ‘sorry’ for insults Meghan’s sister issues bitter warning editors picks meghan markle prince harry samantha markle	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24837
__label__wiki	0.543771	0.543771	Alexa and Nancy chat with Keri T. Collins about empowering kids and her incredible mission to help kids feel less alone, more understood and supported by their family and friends. In this episode, we talked about What inspired Keri’s mission to help kids take action How tapping can reduce anxiety – learn about EFT on her page! The family tradition that Keri established with her daughter and husband How Keri was affected by her divorce and the wake-up call she had seven years ago Keri’s book, You Can Call Me Katelyn, published by Purple Butterfly Press The daily journal Keri developed after creating a journaling practice with her daughter. The book recommended by Nancy, Byron Katie’s Loving What Is Chelsea Lee Smith’s journals, recommended by Alexa This episode is sponsored by How To Talk So Your Teen Listens More about Keri Keri Collins is a children’s author who helps kids and parents better themselves by making better choices. There are times when problems can seem insurmountable, but taking action and making one small choice can get the ball rolling, and lead to all kinds of happy outcomes. Her first children’s book is You Can Call Me Katelyn, published by Purple Butterfly Press in 2019. It’s about a girl who doesn’t like her name, and follows her journey as she makes the choice to change it. She also blogs about parenting and kids issues, and offer plenty of tips and other advice at http://keritcollins.com/reading-room/ Her second book, A Big Change for Daisy, is forthcoming from Purple Butterfly Press. Busy Modern Moms	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24843
__label__cc	0.521975	0.478025	Meeting Notes from August 6, 2019 President Marty Fishman brought the club to order, and Doug Brent led the pledge and introductions of visiting Rotarians and guests. We had a rare appearance by club member Charlie Goss – seen setting between LeRoy Neider and Ed Stahl. Grady Jeeter, noting the dramatic and horrific attacks over the last days inspired us with a reading of the thoughtful Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. Happy August Birthday to Rotarians! Six birthdays and many anniversaries were recognized on Tuesday. And, the entire club enjoyed Marty’s reflections on what a birthday means via a Seinfeld video and a YouTube video. Key advice: keep your teeth in your mouth when you’re blowing out the candles! Service Activities and Events Marty then reviewed a full slate of recent and upcoming service activities and club events. Note more details are available on our club home page, and President Marty will send out his usual email update with reminders and pointers as well. Lisa Cheskin organized the quarterly Fisher House Palo Alto dinner last week. Volunteers participating in the event included Doug and Marjorie Brent, Kristen Bridges, Erika Buck and with Michelle Myers Nelson leading the charge. Rotarians are invited to an event to clean up the creek at Campbell Park, August 24, 8:45-11AM. Our club is supporting two events on 14 September. There will be a car show at the Palo Alto VA, and we are looking for volunteers to chaperon vets to the event. Contact Lisa Cheskin if interested, and we do still need volunteers there. The car show will take place from 10AM-2PM. The other event on that day is Rise Against Hunger at the church at 111 Church Street in Los Gatos. This is a great event for almost any age volunteer. This year, our Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley service event will be on 19 October. Sign-ups will start soon. Contact Suzanne Boxer-Gassman or Doug Brent for information or questions. It is not too early to start planning for the 2020 Crab Fest event, and our event Chair, Suzanne Boxer-Gassman, is holding a planning meeting at her home on 14 August, Her address is 137 E Porton Los Gatos, and we do still need additional leaders on this committee. Please contact Suzanne if you are interested. On Tuesday 27 August, we are having the Los Gatos Rotary BBQ, with Andrew Stearns taking the lead on the cooking team yet again. Tickets are $45. Tickets are available through our club site online (click the event link) and Tony is selling tickets at upcoming meetings. 0n 17 August, there is a District conference on Membership. This will be held at the Hyatt House San Jose, and advance sign-up is required. Please visit the district web site to sign up There will be a new Rotary club chartered with an event planned for this Friday. See district web site for more details. The speaker at our club meeting next week is Nick Kuwada from the Santa Clara County office of the census. He will discuss the importance of the census, and how his team is working towards an accurate count. President Marty reminded us about the updated requirements for advancing from a Red Badge to a Blue Badge, and the reduced focus on meeting attendance as the metric for Rotary membership. He also covered the new membership categories: family and business. These new categories make it easier and more economical for family members and business colleagues to be Rotary members together. And...President Marty announced a new Blue Badge club member: David Hubbard. Congratulations David on completing the requirements, and for sporting your new Blue Badge! As part of President Marty’s initiative to provide Rotary education during our meetings, he showed a video of Rotary History - starting with the first meeting in Chicago on 23 February 1905, and recent events in international service and evolution of Rotary culture. Some notable points: The forerunner of the Rotary Foundation dates back to an endowment created in 1917. Service was established as a unifying theme for Rotary in the first few years of its inception. There is a long list of highly accomplished and famous rotarians. In the first U.N. charter conference, more than 50 delegates were Rotarians. The Polio Plus initiative started in the 1980s, and Rotary has donated more than $500 million dollars and significant volunteer time to reducing, and ultimately eliminating Polio everywhere in the world. Also in the 1980s, with the fall of the USSR, Rotary International was reunited with Eastern Bloc clubs, and, importantly, women were welcomed as Rotarians. What has been accomplished in the first 100 years of Rotary is not just history, but a legacy on which to build the next 100 years and beyond. Andrew Howard made a donation to the club of $100 in recognition of his one month trip around the world, and told the story of going to a Turkish Rotary club that was full of German speakers - who simply switched to English when he arrived to make everything accessible to him. We are part of an international fellowship! Avis La Grone made a donation of $100 to highlight the Rotary Vietnam project she led. Avis just returned from Vietnam four days before our meeting. She was joined on this trip by two students, one from east San jose and one from Castro Valley. As a team, they taught four two hour classes per day for five days at one facility, then another five days teaching English at another. Today’s presentation was provided by Gaylord Green who was a pioneer in the U.S. program for GPS - Global Positioning System. Gaylord was a program manager for over a decade, and was in the USAF, and earned a graduate degree from Stanford in Aeronautics and Astronautics. Clearly, the impact of GPS has been enormous - from simple mapping applications on a mobile phone, to military applications and now to industrial applications like construction and farming. But, at the beginning, people had a hard time conceptualizing why determining a position was even important. Gaylord told us that people said: “I know where I am. Why do I need GPS to tell me my location?” The mission of the GPS group was to be able to provide four crucial pieces of information virtually anywhere on the planet: latitude, longitude, altitude and time. The GPS system has delivered on this mission, and at accuracy levels that exceeded what many thought were possible, with positional accuracy of an inch or so, and time resolution of 10 nanoseconds. Gaylord (with a couple of Rotarian assistants) provided a demonstration with string and a mock satellite showing how GPS position is determined. Since a location on the earth is defined by three points - x, y, and height,, if a point on earth has visibility to three satelite (four to get the time dimension as well), that point can be effectively located. The GPS system has 24 satellites, so most places on the earth have good visibility to well more than four satellites, but being in a tunnel or an urban canyon reduces this visibility, and gives us the strange GPS results we sometimes see in San Francisco or elsewhere. So if it is just a matter of putting up some satellites, and measuring distances to the ground, what is so hard about GPS? This is just a geometry problem, right? Well, there are some practical challenges that make this a hard problem to solve with accuracy. These issues include: Accurate orbit estimation: The satellites circle the earth at about 12,000 miles away. The signals are faint on the ground, and the satellites themselves have some motion while in orbit. This requires constant ground control monitoring and management of the radio frequency spectrum to avoid interference. Synchronized timing across all of the satellites is essential to deliver an accurate position. Gaylord told a story about Edward Teller advising the GPS team that they had to account for special relativity effects in the clocks running on the earth vs. the ones in space. The earth is not perfectly round, and continents move. In the recent New Zealand earthquakes, land moved by many feet. Atmospheric, ionospheric and solar conditions can impact GPS performance. Gaylord noted that the GPS program was essentially contemporaneous with the first personal computers, and benefited greatly from the accelerating semiconductor power. Some external events impacted the program significantly. President Reagan publicly committed the delivery of the GPS system after Russians shot down KLA 007. And, President Clinton ended the practice of degrading the quality of the civilian GPS signal. We think of the primary uses of GPS to be location oriented, but it is also the world’s timing system. Cell phone towers, banking data centers, and power systems all use GPS for precise and coordinated timing. Finally, GPS has spawned numerous national positioning systems from other countries and regions: Beidou for China. GLONAS for Russia, Galileo for the EU, and regional systems in Japan and India. civilian use; Gaylord showed some pride about the reliability of the GPS satellites - which are now in their third generation. He had a significant, early insight that to manage a system which included 24 satellites, and the ground team to manage them - satellite lifetime and reliability would make the whole system simpler to manage, and that has proven to be a key aspect of reliable GPS service delivery. Gaylord also offered that if we want to learn more, to view the documentary “The Lonely Halls Meeting” (trailer available here). After a lively Q&A, President Marty closed the meeting.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24844
__label__cc	0.557627	0.442373	Art Partners Brownhill Group Call us on: 020 8353 8905 - Opening Hours Art Professionals VIP Art Club Roy’s People Art Fair Art Fair Preview 12th to 15th April 2018 at the Bargehouse, OXO Tower Wharf, London. Supported by GreatArt, the 2nd edition of Roy’s People Art Fair returns in April to bring 80 emerging and established artists to the iconic OXO Tower Wharf in the City of London. Roy’s People Art Fair is London’s only artist-led art fair, hosted by artists Roy Tyson & Samuel Peacock. Our drive is working with artists and supporting them through the experience of exhibiting at our fair to ensure the event is a success for them. Building on the success of our 1st art fair in September 2017, Bargehouse OXO Tower Wharf offers our event more space for artists, allowing us to host 80 exhibitors as well as collaborate with selected creatives to create some extra attractions on site at the fair. 80 emerging & established artists. With an incredible range of artists from recent graduates to experienced professional artists, our visitors have the opportunity to connect directly with the artists and understand the true meaning behind the artworks. The worlds only Fully Certified Art Fair. In partnership with Tagsmart, we are delighted to announce EVERY purchase bought from an artist at the fair will come with a Certificate of Authenticity, something you will not find at any other art fair. Sponsored Artist Award. Meet emerging artist Anne-Claire Fleer who was selected by a panel of judges to receive exclusive mentorship before the fair. Print your own Tote bag. With the help of the team at Hippo Screenprinters, for £5 you can create your own screen printed Tote Bag. Start by choosing your design and colours, then get hands on and ‘pull’ your own screen resulting in an original artwork. Meet Hooksmith Press, demonstrating the age old craft of Letter Press Printing, Russell Frost will be creating an exclusive print at the fair showing exactly how a Letter Press print is created also giving you the opportunity to purchase original artworks. All of this across 4 floors of raw warehouse space within the Bargehouse on the banks of the river Thames. Entry is free, please sign up for your tickets here http://www.royspeopleartfair.com/visit.php Join the club to get free invites to London's top art events. Categories Select Category Previews (3) Banksy (2) Art Exhibition (26) Art Fairs (36) Works on Paper Fair (1) Roy’s People Art Fair (1) Masterpiece London (2) Art & Antiques London (3) Affordable Art Fair (9) Moniker Art Fair (1) London Art Fair (1) ART14 (1) Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair (5) International Art Fair (1) British Art Fair (1) LAPADA Art and Antiques Fair (2) Decorative Fair (1) Art News (34) Auction Results (6) Art Forgery (1) Film Reviews (1) Art Partners (36) Coram James (3) Be Smart About Art (2) John Jones (2) Eye Like Gallery (2) IAP Fine Art (1) Caiger Contemporary Art (1) My Art Broker (1) Art Theft (6) Insurance (4) Art Tours (5) Art Transportation (2) Insurance (2) Awards (2) Charity (1) Community (1) External Articles (9) Interviews (1) Music (2) Sponsorship (5) VIP Art Club (19) Top UK Art Fairs Outside LondonNovember 27, 2019 - 3:32 pm Green Vault Heist – The biggest in history?November 25, 2019 - 11:17 am Always Up To Date: London Art Fair GuideNovember 20, 2019 - 10:40 am Banksy re-enters Art Review’s ‘Power 100’ list after 11 year hiatusNovember 14, 2019 - 11:24 am Where To Start When Buying Art – Top Tips From Trade ExpertsJune 19, 2018 - 4:41 pm Banksy Insurance, Valuations, Authentication, Conservation and Sales Clumsy Customers Create Costly Claims Banksy re-enters Art Review's 'Power 100' list after 11 year hiatus Chris Gollon - 'Incarnation, Mary & Women from the Bible' English Cathedrals Exhibition Post Archive Select Month November 2019 (4) June 2018 (1) February 2018 (2) January 2018 (4) December 2017 (2) November 2017 (1) October 2017 (2) September 2017 (2) August 2017 (2) July 2017 (2) June 2017 (1) May 2017 (1) April 2017 (2) March 2017 (2) February 2017 (1) January 2017 (1) October 2016 (1) July 2016 (1) June 2016 (1) April 2016 (1) October 2015 (2) July 2015 (1) May 2015 (1) April 2015 (2) October 2014 (3) September 2014 (3) August 2014 (1) July 2014 (5) June 2014 (5) May 2014 (7) April 2014 (4) March 2014 (10) February 2014 (2) January 2014 (3) December 2013 (2) November 2013 (5) October 2013 (8) September 2013 (2) July 2013 (3) June 2013 (2) May 2013 (1) April 2013 (2) March 2013 (2) Art Collection Management What is Art? About Us Awards & Honours Glossary of Insurance Terms Thanks and Credits My mother said to me, “If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope.” Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso. — Pablo Picasso loveart@brownhillgroup.co.uk Registered in England No. 1488763 Registered Office: 2nd Floor, Kent House, 41 East Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1QQ. Brownhill Insurance Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Privacy Policy \| Cookie Policy \| Terms of Business \| Terms & Conditions Works on Paper Fair 2018 Rise Art Prize 2018 Love Art Insurance uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24845
__label__wiki	0.660413	0.660413	Solomon Islands is a large country that counts 922 islands covering 28,370 km². There are nine provinces, each with its own government. Solomon Islands has a large diversity of fruit fly species. In his taxonomic monograph, Drew (1989) cited 29 species as occurring in the country. In his latest review (Drew and Romig, 2001), he states that Solomon Islands fauna comprises 39 previously described and 9 new species. Fruit flies became a major priority in Solomon Islands in 1984, when melon fly appeared in Shortland Islands (Western Province). In spite of efforts to eradicate the species, it has gradually spread eastward, now covering all provinces except Makira, Rennell-Bellona and Temotu. Farmers have virtually abandoned cucurbit growing everywhere melon fly has appeared. Solomon Islands occupy a critical position in the Pacific, as a gateway for dispersal of pest fruit flies from Papua New Guinea into other PICTs. The Regional Fruit Fly Projects involvement in Solomon Islands commenced in April 1994, when a United Nations Volunteer (UNV) was posted at Dodo Creek Research Station. Three UNVs have worked in Solomon Islands until April, 2000. Fruit fly activities are coordinated by a National Coordinating Committee, formed in early 1996 and consists of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), the Chief Technical Advisor of the Fruit Fly Project, the UNV, and the Directors of Research, Extension and Quarantine under MAF. A major partner organization is Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), a non-governmental organization that covers a network of village demonstration workers from over 250 villages in all provinces. A parallel fruit fly project was also conducted by the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) to support research on fruit fly surveys, development of field control and development of a database. The fruit fly research facility, renovated with funds from RFFP, was located at Dodo Creek Research Station, on Guadalcanal until early 2000. For security reasons, the fruit fly laboratory was relocated in January 2000 to the Malaria Research Centre, in Honiara. For more information, contact: Mr. Francis Tsatsia, Director of Quarantine Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock P.O. Box G-13 Honiara Solomon Islands. Phone: (677) 22143 FAX: (677) 28365 Village demonstration workers from Solomon Islands Development Trust dissect infested guavas during their bi-annual general meeting FRUIT FLY SPECIES: There are 48 described species. A complete list, with distribution per province, is presented separately from this page. There are four economic species. Mango fly (B. frauenfeldi) and breadfruit fly (B. umbrosa) are widespread and common in every province. Dacus solomonensis has been collected in all provinces except Rennell-Bellona and Temotu. Melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) has spread into Solomon Islands from PNG. It was detected on Shortland Islands in September 1984, in Western Province in June 1985, in Isabel in 1988, and in Guadalcanal and Malaita in 1995. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF FRUIT FLIES: Mango fly infests 30% of ripe guavas. D. solomonensis and melon fly are collectively responsible for over 90% damage on snake gourds and 60-87% damage on pumpkin. Surveys: 1. Established and maintained a fruit fly rearing laboratory and laboratories for holding fruit samples collected in the field and undertaking heat tolerance studies at Dodo Creek Research Station. The facility was recently relocated to the Malaria Centre in Honiara. 2. Established, with the assistance of Extension and Quarantine, permanent trapping sites on nine islands of the Solomon Islands. Trap sites made up of one trap baited with methyl eugenol and one with Cue-lure. 3. Collected and held in the laboratory for adult fly emergence commercial/edible and wild/forest fruit samples. 4. Determined that there are 48 species of fruit flies in Solomon Islands (Tephritidae: Dacinae) and compiled host ranges for nine species. Used this data as the basis for negotiations on quarantine protocols for export of fruits and vegetables. Pest status: 5. Confirmed that four species are of economic importance – Bactrocera frauenfeldi, B. cucurbitae, B. umbrosa and Dacus solomonensis. 6. Determined, by host surveys, the level of damage caused by fruit flies to guava (30%), pumpkin (60-87%) and snake gourd (>90%). 7. Collaborated with Solomon Islands Development Trust village demonstration workers in assessing fruit fly damage on various crops at village level in the Western Province, and during SIDT biennial meeting in Honiara. Quarantine surveillance: 8. Modified the initial fauna surveys into an early warning system as part of Solomon Islands’ overall quarantine surveillance system. Trapping focused on high-risk locations, such as tourist resorts, urban areas, educational institutions for overseas students, markets, farming areas, diplomatic missions and ports of entry. Laboratory colonies: 9. Established laboratory colonies of B. frauenfeldi and B. cucurbitae reared on papaya-based diet, B. umbrosa reared on breadfruit diet, and D. solomonensis reared on whole cucurbit fruit. 10. Undertook research into improving rearing techniques for B. cucurbitae and D. solomonensis. 11. Completed studies on the life cycles and rates of development of B. frauenfeldi in artificial diet. Field control: 12. Carried out preliminary tests for control of fruit flies on guava in mixed orchards using Mauri's Pinnacle Protein Insect Lure. 13. Imported from Hawaii, reared and released and established in Guadalcanal and Western Province Psyttalia fletcheri, a parasitoid used for biological control of melon fly. Host status and export markets: 14. Used the laboratory and field tests to determine non-host status for fruits and vegetables developed by the RMFFP and the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Regulatory Authority. 15. Proved that pineapple is not susceptible to fruit flies in Solomon Islands and New Zealand accepted results. An export protocol was developed but exports have not yet started. Heat treatments and export markets: 16. Generated preliminary data on the heat tolerances of early and late eggs, first instar and feeding and non-feeding third instars of B. frauenfeldi. Development of National expertise: 17. Published in the ACIAR Proceedings No. 76 of the Symposium on the Management of Fruit Flies in the Pacific, four scientific papers on fruit flies in Solomon Islands and published a Pest Advisory Leaflet on Fruit Flies in Solomon Islands. A handbook on fruit flies for extension and quarantine workers published. Comprehensive status report on fruit flies in Solomon Islands drafted. 18. Provided training to farmers and exporters and government personnel of Solomon Islands on the importance of fruit flies to production and national quarantine, identification, control methods, and quarantine treatments. 19. Conducted two major workshops for Village Demonstration Workers of Solomon Islands Development Trust to demonstrate fruit bagging and protein bait spraying. Fruit fly control has become an essential component of SIDT programme. Emergency response planning: 20. Increased preparedness to detect quickly an incursion of an exotic fruit fly species and formulated an Emergency Response Plan to eradicate any introduction of a new unwanted species. STATUS OF QUARANTINE SURVEILLANCE (as of October 2007): There are 37 trapping sites on six islands: Honiara (12 sites), Malaita (2), Choiseul (7),Gizo (4), Munda (3), Noro (3), Vella Lavella (1) and Shortland Islands (5). All data from trapping and host fruit surveying are preserved on Excel databases. There are fruit fly posters at the airport and wharf as well as quarantine bins at the airport. During the 2011 Festival of Pacific Arts which was held in Honiara, extra fruit fly traps were installed in high risk areas and festival sites in order to monitor any foreign introduction of fruit flies during this event Drew, R.A.I., and M. Romig. 2001. The fruit fly fauna (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) of Bougainville, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Australian Journal of Entomology. 40, 113-150. Hollingsworth, R.G.1998. Status of fruit flies (Family Tephritidae) and fruit fly research in the Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands Government - RMFFP Publication. 82pp. Revised edition published in 2002. Hollingsworth, R.G., Vagalo, M., Tsatsia, F. 1997. Fruit flies (Family Tephritidae) in the Solomon Islands. Extension and quarantine workers handbook. Solomon Islands - RMFFP - ACIAR Publication. 42pp. Leblanc, L. 2000. Fruit Flies in Solomon Islands. SPC Pest Advisory Leaflet No 28. 4pp. Vagalo, M. 1998. Status report on project activities in Solomon Islands since April 1998. RMFFP Publication. 11pp. Vagalo, M., Hollingsworth, R., Tsatsia, F. 1997. Fruit fly fauna in Solomon Islands. pp. 81-86 in: Allwood, A.J., and Drew, R.A I., Management of fruit flies in the Pacific. ACIAR Proceedings No 76. 267pp. Wagatora, D., Vagalo, M., Saelea, J., Hollingsworth, R., Tsatsia, F., Hoamana, L., Tsatsia, H., Kimisi, R. 1998. Solomon Islands fruit fly emergency response procedures. Draft 2. 14pp. Download Pest Advisory Leaflet on Fruit Flies in Solomon Islands in English (177 Kb) Download Pest Advisory Leaflet on Mango Fly in English (344 Kb) Download Pest Advisory Leaflet on Melon Fly in English (192 Kb)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24848
__label__wiki	0.564204	0.564204	Claire McCaskill NBC/MSNBC contributor, former US Senator from Missouri Edited by WileECoyote about 21 hours ago History A Senator from Missouri; born in Rolla, Mo., July 24, 1953; attended Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo.; graduated University of Missouri,... A Senator from Missouri; born in Rolla, Mo., July 24, 1953; attended Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo.; graduated University of Missouri, Columbia 1975; J.D., University of Missouri, Columbia 1978; Missouri State house of representatives 1982-1988; Jackson County prosecutor 1992-1998; unsuccessful candidate for governor 2004; Missouri State auditor 1998-2006; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 2006 for the term commencing January 3, 2007; reelected in 2012 for the term ending January 3, 2019. more » « less People in Common Orgs People with positions in the same orgs as Claire McCaskill Common Orgs Rev Alfred C Sharpton MSNBC Edward G Rendell NBC News Bureaus, Inc. Steven Clemons MSNBC Corrie Shanahan NBC News Bureaus, Inc. Deborah Turness NBC News Bureaus, Inc. Emily Tisch Sussman MSNBC Jon Entine NBC News Bureaus, Inc. Ronan Farrow MSNBC Types Person, Elected Representative, Political Candidate Birthday Jul 24 '53 Website https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov Aliases Claire McCaskill Number of documents: 6278 :: see all All members of Congress since 1981 50 Richest Members of Congress - 2008[#17] Democratic Senators Who Want Vote on Fiscal Commission Findings 2016 Democratic Superdelegates Similar Entities Joe Shepard	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24856
__label__cc	0.512636	0.487364	Fragment I, of Sunday Dinner with Father Dwyer, a short story by Jim Meirose So, the third rule seaman Skip forgot, was; always keep your belly full, to absorb the queasiness that creeps inside, grows like a ball of slimy worms, and drags you by the face to the side of the ship, to puke, puke, puke some more—Skip remembered the rule and dug into the hard barely edible expired prison food loaf they’d been gifted with, and he quietly relaxed. Under the gaps between jaw crushes and swallows, he again thanked God, in Father Dwyer’s name that he was always on the sea. As he reduced the brown matter on his plate smaller the smaller with each and every bite, he felt his cares melt, and sink away, except for a deep grasping undertow in the black dark under his lowest reptile brain that he never ever heard, but that continuously kept telling him, I am in you and you no longer know who or what you are and I am deeply disturbed I don’t like to be deeply disturbed something is different now there’s something you know in the upper levels I can’t see into that has changed everything; something large is different. Somehow you are confused, and no one has told me; what is different? See, somehow I sense you don’t know if you are about to be born or if you are about to die, or somehow magically have split into being in both states at once. It’s something like that, like—like remember that computer monitor they had in the office down Florida, years ago when you had not yet decided to give up life on land, you had that new job in that computer consulting office, using that fat wide 80’s vintage IBM monitor, and it suddenly looked as though you or it or both had suddenly snapped crack into double vision; you were confused as I am confused, and all at once a hand came and slammed into the side of the monitor, and everything slapped clear again, and you looked to the left, and up, behind, and there stood one of the masters of the place, whose job it was to train you, Kent Dazey. He smiled, and he spoke quickly, saying, Hey, Skip my man, this monitor’s on the blink; we called IBM and they sent out a suit and he came and looked and couldn’t find why it goes all nutty looking like that, but said to just give it a good hard slap on the side when that happens, and that would always make it right. We said, well, that’s kind of cheesy—how about we replace it with a new one? The IBM suit, hearing this, smelled money in his eyes and told us how much that would cost. We scratched our ears, looked down, stepped back, and decided, to the deflation of the IBM guy who smelled this sale coming, to keep this one, thinking that a slap in the side was free, and no problem, as outside of that, the gigantic thing worked perfectly. The sale smelling IBM suit left abruptly, eager to get to the next client location where he could root in the leaves and the mulch and the dirt for the next sale attempt, taking his mysterious extremely heavy pitch black fat briefcase with him. So, you see, we’re cheap here, we watch every penny. And he was right, you know Skip. Cheaper is always better—that was true, Skip, years ago, when you could still bear to live ashore. And it’s still true after all these years, here out at sea. And it’s been smooth sailing for you since, you got a job at sea finally, yes, but now, here today, I have to speak and say there is something different in you, way above me, that is quite unsettling—so since you are no more than a machine of flesh bone blood and general muck, atop which I just sit and man the controls, how ‘bout we do what Kent Dazey recommended and slap ourselves silly on the side of our fat rocky head—go on! And Skip’s partner Norman, sitting across, jumped his chair halfway back to the bulkhead and almost spat out his fully chewed sandwich, as Skip’s hand came up like a gunshot, and slapped him as hard as it could on the side of Skip’s head. The strike sounded awful, strange, damaging, yes; Norman feared an eardrum burst, or worse; Skip looked dazed, so dazed—Norman began to rise, speechless—and stepped around toward Skip to see what was wrong what had happened what was he thinking to cause this, but; Skip’s eyes cleared, his face lost its stricken pallor, and he said, You know, Norman, I read a paper on the internet last night, that confirmed once more, my core belief, that we have a global crisis that calls for international cooperation to reduce emissions as rapidly as practical. Otherwise, the warming will continue, and it will be just Waterworld, just like that shitty movie, Waterworld, and you know what, fucker? I can’t shitcan wait for that dream to some true. Now— Norman was so relieved, so relieved, a tiny spot of liquid seeped into his underpants without his knowledge, as he said, Skip! You sound like the old Skip! Skip, why the hell have you been acting so weird? Huh? What? Weird! Weird? How? What the hell are you talking about, Norman? You always ask such odd questions—you should talk about weird, you actually spent a long time thinking you were married and you had a pregnant wife, you even had me feeling sorry for you, but today—you tell me that’s not true and was just in your head, and you are calling me weird? You’re the weird one! Listen, hey—and what’s more, I been— Skip it, man! waved out Norman. Enough! Enough! Let’s just be! Skip? You said Skip? Hey—that’s my name, laughed Skip; thou shalt not take my name in vain! How dare you, landsman, insult this future Godlike merman of the deep! They exchanged shocked glances, that suddenly melted to smiles, and they sat and laughed for a while deep up from their smelly slimy bellies right out from their mouths, about what an odd day it had been so far. It has to be caused by being at sea so long. It had to be because every minute of every day was exactly the same aboard the Dakota Maru, with Sunday Dinner With Father Dwyer playing full blast on the flat screen TV hung from the back wall of the bridge, twenty four seven three hundred sixty five of episode after episode, and impossible to turn off, switch the channel, or lower the volume, because the actual TV on the wall had no controls, and the remote had been was thrown overboard years ago by a seaman who’d been at sea one minute too long on the very maiden voyage; but the company, when advised, decided a new remote was not important enough to their corporate mission to spend a few dollars on; just like Skip’s ancient, bottom level, reptilian brain deeply, and truly, also firmly believed. Jim Meirose‘s work has appeared in numerous magazines and journals, including Calliope, Offbeat/Quirky (Journal of Exp. Fiction pub,), Permafrost, North Atlantic Review, Blueline, Witness, and Xavier Review, and has been nominated for several awards. His E-book “Inferno” is available from Amazon. Underground Voices. His novels, “Mount Everest” and “Eli the Rat”, are available from Amazon. “Mount Everest” has been adapted to a play by a leading west coast playwright. Click www.jimmeirose.com to know more.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24859
__label__wiki	0.920477	0.920477	Madison.com Cap Times Wisconsin State Journal Activate Full Access Fitchburg getting ready to stagger City Council elections Shelley K. Mesch \| Wisconsin State Journal LISA SPECKHARD PASQUE, CAPITAL TIMES ARCHIVES Next month’s election will be the last time all eight Fitchburg City Council members will be on the same ballot before the city moves to staggered terms next year. When Fitchburg voters head to the polls on April 2, they’ll elect half of the council to two-year terms and the other half to one-year terms. Next year, those council members with one-year terms will be up for election for regular two-year terms, which will start a pattern of electing half of the council members each year. The switch to staggered terms was approved early last year on a 7-1 vote, with Ald. Aaron Richardson casting the lone “no” vote, after it was introduced by Mayor Jason Gonzalez. Please sign up or log in to view more. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}} The city will also elect the mayor for a one-year term this year before a switch is made to three-year terms next year. Gonzalez and Richardson are vying for the seat. “Two years was not long enough for a mayor, especially in a city with so many big projects, but we also felt like four years was too long for a part-time position,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez said the mayor’s seat was placed on the ballot for a one-year term out of fairness to the other council members who will serve half-terms in the transition. “If half the council was up for partial terms, it was only right that the mayor should be part of that,” Gonzalez said. The City Council has two representatives from each of its four geographic districts. One member from each district will be up for election each year, beginning next year, with even-numbered seats elected in even years and odd-numbered seats in odd years. Spring Elections Jason Gonzalez Aaron Richardson Capital W: Plug in to Wisconsin politics Subscribe to our Politics email! You'll get a weekly recap of the goings-on at the State Capitol, delivered free to your inbox every Friday. Shelley K. Mesch is a business and technology reporter for the Wisconsin State Journal. She can be contacted at (608)252-6143 or smesch@madison.com Author facebook Follow Shelley K. Mesch \| Wisconsin State Journal Wisconsin Elections Candidate Q&A: Fitchburg Mayor Fitchburg Mayor Jason Gonzalez is running for a second term against Ald. Aaron Richardson in the April 2 election. The term is for one year. (… Candidate Q&A: Fitchburg City Council District 2, Seat 3 An incumbent and former council member are vying for the 2nd District’s 3rd seat on the Fitchburg City Council in the April 2 election. The te… Two political newcomers are vying for the District 4, Seat 8 spot on the Fitchburg City Council in the April 2 election. The term is for one year. Fitchburg preparing pilot of community-directed improvement plan The focus of the initiative is to solve community-identified problems by promoting community-led solutions. Local officials say county pressuring communities to take on roads — and their cost Dane's is the second highest of 10 county wheel taxes. None of the cities or villages in the county levy the tax. Fitchburg City Council faces open meetings lawsuit over email discussions The suit stems from a zoning change for a proposed senior apartment complex. Dane County Board special election set for June The seats were left vacant by Mary Kolar, Jeff Pertl and Jenni Dye, who each took jobs in Gov. Tony Evers' administration. Seven area cities and villages aim to reduce or eliminate climate change-causing emissions Fitchburg, Marshall, Middleton, Monona, Stoughton, Sun Prairie and Waunakee are partnering with with Madison-based energy research firm Seventhwave to create a plan. WiscNews Capital Newspapers AmplifiedWisconsin ApplyMadison Wingra Printing Group © Copyright 2020 Capital Newspapers Inc., madison.com , 1901 Fish Hatchery Rd Madison, WI \| Terms of Use \| Privacy Policy Badger Sports	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24865
__label__wiki	0.519638	0.519638	Launch podcast player The architecture and design of Maggie's Fife Maggie’s Fife was Zaha Hadid’s first permanent structure in the UK when it opened in 2006. It was the architect’s intention that the Centre sit in direct and deliberate contrast to the architecture of the Kircaldy Hospital. The building makes particular use of natural light. Quirky triangular windows draw the attention of visitors, and their spirits, upwards, while glass wall overlooks a wild ravine full of plant and animal life. The Centre embodies a striking contrast between exterior and interior. The outside, with its sweeping black roof sparkling like asphalt, gives way to a remarkable sense of space and light once you enter, just as a piece of black coal contains within it a source of warmth and comfort. This contrast surprises every first time visitor, and is so fitting in an old mining community such as Fife. The architect - Dame Zaha Hadid “Once you step into the building you enter a completely different world. It is a kind of domestic space, it’s relaxing. Hospitals should have intimate spaces, places where patients can have a little time for themselves, to retreat into… It’s about how space can make you feel good.” Link to architect's website Terms and Conditiions My Fundraising Profile	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24866
__label__cc	0.617773	0.382227	Site Advertisment Welcome to Maisie Williams Fan at maisie-williams.org, your first online source for all things Maisie Williams. She is an English actress and dancer. She is best known for her role as Arya Stark in the HBO television series Game of Thrones, which earned her the 2012 Portal Awards for Best Supporting Actress – Television and Best Young Actor, and the BBC Radio 1 Teen Award for Best British Actor in 2013. She has also received nominations for the Scream Award for Best Ensemble (2011), and the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actress (2013) for her performance. Here you will be able to find the great quantity of information, photos, videos, news and a lot more about the actress. Here is a fact of fans for the fans. Here is NOT an official site and remember, I'm not Maisie. If you have any questions and/or comments please be sure to visit our contact page and contact us regarding anything. Thanks for visiting. Maisie’s Official Twitter Tweets by Maisie_Williams Game of Thrones Family [www] - Your Site? [www] - Your Site? [www] - Your Site? View All \| Be Affiliate Maintained by: Ann Previous Owners: Hillie & Siobhan. Opened since: April 20, 2011. Designed by: Ann Hosted by: Flaunt Network Listed at: Not Yet Network: Twitter \| Tumblr \| Facebook Maisie Williams Fan at maisie-williams.org is an unofficial fansite. We have no contact with Maisie, her friends, her family, representatives, etc. This site is made by fans for the fans. All images in the gallery belong to their respectful owners and no copyright infringement is intended. All content and graphics are copyrighted to SAK unless otherwise noted. Flaunt Network \| Privacy Policy \| DMCA © Maisie Williams Fan Maisie made and edited this video herself, shared it on twitter hoping Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. Enjoy it! July 13, 2013 Posted by Ann 0 Comments Uncategorized © 2011-2018 Maisie Williams Fan • Designed by Ann • Powered by Wordpress • Hosted by Flaunt Network / Privacy Policy / DMCA	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24867
__label__wiki	0.998207	0.998207	Senator Joseph A. Boncore Democrat - First Suffolk and Middlesex Joseph.Boncore@masenate.gov Select Court 191st (Current) 190th (2017 - 2018) 189th (2015 - 2016) Follow In My Legislature SD.2285 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation concerning ballots. Election Laws. SD.2566 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation to authorize the City of Boston to convey an easement for utility purposes over a portion of certain parkland. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.] S.99 SD.724 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 99) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to home inspections. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. S.100 SD.942 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 100) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to data breach notification. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. S.101 SD.1032 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 101) of Joseph A. Boncore and Adam G. Hinds for legislation relative to regulating horse racing and wagering. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. S.102 SD.1273 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 102) of Joseph A. Boncore, Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of Boston, Cindy F. Friedman and Michelle L. Ciccolo for legislation relative to transportation network company rider assessments. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. S.103 SD.1320 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 103) of Joseph A. Boncore and Kay Khan for legislation relative to nurse licensure compacts. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. S.104 SD.1434 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 104) of Joseph A. Boncore, Jason M. Lewis, Mike Connolly, Cindy F. Friedman and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to Craft Brewers. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. S.234 SD.725 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 234) of Joseph A. Boncore, Michael S. Day, Patrick M. O'Connor and Nick Collins for legislation relative to early literacy education. Education. S.349 SD.850 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 349) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to complex care needs for seniors. Elder Affairs. S.385 SD.1271 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 385) of Joseph A. Boncore, Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of Boston, Daniel J. Hunt, Liz Miranda and other members of the General Court for legislation to allow election day registration. Election Laws. S.430 SD.845 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 430) of Joseph A. Boncore and Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative Coastal Resiliency Projects. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. S.541 SD.1327 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 541) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to co-pay assistance. Financial Services. S.773 SD.334 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 773) of Joseph A. Boncore, Mike Connolly, Jack Patrick Lewis, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to support affordable housing with a local option for a fee to be applied to certain real estate transactions. Housing. S.774 SD.1377 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 774) of Joseph A. Boncore, Paul R. Feeney, Thomas M. Stanley, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to restore the Commonwealth's public housing. Housing. S.775 SD.1640 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 775) of Joseph A. Boncore, Kevin G. Honan, William N. Brownsberger, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to housing reform. Housing. S.776 SD.1974 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 776) of Joseph A. Boncore and Kevin G. Honan for legislation to commission a study to increase regional housing production. Housing. S.777 SD.1987 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 777) of Joseph A. Boncore, Kevin G. Honan, Mike Connolly, Viriato M. deMacedo and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the election of board members of local housing authorities. Housing. S.822 SD.336 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 822) of Joseph A. Boncore, Jack Patrick Lewis, Jennifer E. Benson, Cindy F. Friedman and other members of the General Court for legislation to clarity and consistency for the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board . The Judiciary. S.823 SD.337 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 823) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation to protect free speech through the anti-slaap law. The Judiciary. S.824 SD.526 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 824) of Joseph A. Boncore, Boston City Councilor, Lydia Edwards , Michael D. Brady, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote housing opportunity and mobility through eviction sealing (HOMES). The Judiciary. S.825 SD.530 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 825) of Joseph A. Boncore, Jack Patrick Lewis, Jason M. Lewis, Mike Connolly and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote public safety and better outcomes for young adults. The Judiciary. S.826 SD.533 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 826) of Joseph A. Boncore, Joanne M. Comerford, Mike Connolly, Patricia D. Jehlen and other members of the General Court for legislation to reduce mass incarceration. The Judiciary. S.827 SD.580 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 827) of Joseph A. Boncore and José F. Tosado for legislation relative to the enactment of the Uniform Collateral Consequences of Conviction. The Judiciary. S.828 SD.581 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 828) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to jury instruction in criminal proceedings. The Judiciary. S.829 SD.582 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 829) of Joseph A. Boncore, Michael J. Barrett, Tommy Vitolo, Michelle M. DuBois and other members of the General Court for legislation to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences related to drug offenses. The Judiciary. S.830 SD.583 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 830) of Joseph A. Boncore, Liz Miranda and James K. Hawkins for legislation to address racial disparity in jury selection. The Judiciary. S.831 SD.584 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 831) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation to ensure an open files policy. The Judiciary. S.832 SD.585 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 832) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to the reliability of testifying informants. The Judiciary. S.833 SD.586 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 833) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to the recording of custodial interrogations. The Judiciary. S.834 SD.617 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 834) of Joseph A. Boncore, Harriette L. Chandler, Paul R. Feeney, Patricia D. Jehlen and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to female genital mutilation. The Judiciary. S.1043 SD.1241 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1043) of Joseph A. Boncore, Barry R. Finegold, Walter F. Timilty, Brian W. Murray and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to collective bargaining dues. Labor and Workforce Development. S.1044 SD.1305 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1044) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to apprenticeship programs. Labor and Workforce Development. S.1134 SD.2013 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1134) of Joseph A. Boncore and Jack Patrick Lewis for legislation relative to supervised injection facilities. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. S.1170 SD.1714 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1170) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to zero parking development. Municipalities and Regional Government. S.1206 SD.856 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1206) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation to ensure the fair, transparent and patient-focused use of health technology assessments by the Commonwealth. Public Health. S.1207 SD.1270 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1207) of Joseph A. Boncore, Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of Boston, Michael O. Moore and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to reduce atmospheric pollution . Public Health. H.1280 HD.2613 By Representative Honan of Boston and Senator Boncore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1280) of Kevin G. Honan, Joseph A. Boncore and others relative to smart growth housing production. Housing. H.1290 HD.3726 By Representative Honan of Boston and Senator Boncore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1290) of Kevin G. Honan, Joseph A. Boncore and others for legislation to establish a community-scale housing development demonstration program within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. Housing. H.1291 HD.3781 By Representative Honan of Boston and Senator Boncore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1291) of Kevin G. Honan, Joseph A. Boncore and others relative to elections of local housing authority board members. Housing. S.1363 SD.335 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1363) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to officer-involved deaths and injuries. Public Safety and Homeland Security. S.1467 SD.938 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1467) of Joseph A. Boncore and Walter F. Timilty for legislation relative to collectively bargained health & welfare plans. Public Service. S.1468 SD.1162 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1468) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation to establish retirement parity for long term public defenders. Public Service. S.1603 SD.723 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1603) of Joseph A. Boncore, Mike Connolly, Kay Khan, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to landlord tenant tax credits. Revenue. H.1797 HD.2607 By Representative Honan of Boston and Senator Boncore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1797) of Kevin G. Honan, Joseph A. Boncore and others for legislation to amend the zoning law to promote smart growth multifamily housing production. Municipalities and Regional Government. S.1927 SD.1526 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1927) of Joseph A. Boncore, Mike Connolly, Ruth B. Balser, Kevin G. Honan and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote zero-emission vehicle fleets by 2035. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. S.2031 SD.339 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2031) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to carriers of property by motor vehicle. Transportation. S.2032 SD.952 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2032) of Joseph A. Boncore for legislation relative to drug screening for ride for hire drivers. Transportation. S.2033 SD.1456 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2033) of Joseph A. Boncore, Mike Connolly, Michelle L. Ciccolo, James K. Hawkins and others for legislation relative to variable pricing e-tolling. Transportation. S.2034 SD.1460 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2034) of Joseph A. Boncore and Michelle L. Ciccolo for legislation relative to electric foot scooters . Transportation. S.2035 SD.1679 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2035) of Joseph A. Boncore, Adrian C. Madaro, Thomas M. Stanley and Mike Connolly for legislation relative to congestion relief in East Boston. Transportation. S.2036 SD.1975 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2036) of Joseph A. Boncore and Adrian C. Madaro for legislation relative to congestion in East Boston. Transportation. S.2037 SD.2141 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2037) of Joseph A. Boncore, Peter Capano and Michelle L. Ciccolo for legislation relative to transportation governance . Transportation. S.2151 SD.1263 By Mr. Boncore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2151) of Joseph A. Boncore and David F. DeCoste for legislation relative to Veterans' Education Tuition System (VETS). Veterans and Federal Affairs. S.2250 Senate, June 10, 2019 – Text of the Senate amendment (Senator Boncore) to the House Bill requiring the hands-free use of mobile telephones while driving (House, No. 3793, amended) S.2440 Senate, December 19, 2019 -- Substituted by amendment by the Senate (Senator Boncore) as a new draft for Senate, No. 777 H.2499 HD.2604 By Representative Honan of Boston and Senator Boncore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2499) of Kevin G. Honan, Joseph A. Boncore and others relative to the tax deduction for rental payments. Revenue. H.4124 HD.4493 By Representative Livingstone of Boston and Senator Boncore, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jay D. Livingstone and Joseph A. Boncore that a certain pavilion shelter on the Charles River Esplanade in the city of Boston be designated as the Priebatsch pavilion. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. H.4138 HD.4541 By Representative Vincent of Revere and Senator Boncore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4138) of RoseLee Vincent and Joseph A. Boncore (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to duck hunting in the city of Revere. The Judiciary. [Local Approval Received.] S.540 SD.338 By Mr. Boncore (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 540) of Gerald DiFranza for legislation to require hearing aids to be covered by the Group Insurance Commission. Financial Services. This bill is by request. * S.1122 SD.1683 By Mr. Boncore (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1122) of Charles J. Livingstone for legislation relative to marijuana zoning. Cannabis Policy. This bill is by request. * S.2441 SD.2541 By Mr. Boncore (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2441) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dee Lu for legislation relative to ethics in organ transplants. The Judiciary. This bill is by request. *	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24868
__label__cc	0.739423	0.260577	Irish[remove]2 Mixed[remove]2 MSS. Rawl. B (Rawlinson B)2 You searched for: Language English Remove constraint Language: English Language Latin Remove constraint Language: Latin Language Irish Remove constraint Language: Irish Materials Mixed Remove constraint Materials: Mixed Type manuscript Remove constraint Type: manuscript MS. Rawl. B. 484 Collectanea of Sir James Ware, comprising fragments, extracts and notes mostly on Ireland but including (fol. 85) cutting without text from a Psalter, English, Winchester, 10th century, second quarter — 10th century - 17th century; English, Winchester (in part) Irish world-chronicle, to c. A.D. 361, Annals of Tigernach — 14th century, third quarter Irish annals, with special reference to Connacht (?), for 1237-1249 and 1303-1314 — 14th century, late (?) Irish annals for 1392-8 and 1401-7, probably originating from the monastery of Saints' Island in Lough Ree, Co. Longford, for 1392-1398 and 1401-1407 — 14th century, late - 15th century, early Historical transcripts and notes made by or for Sir James Ware — 17th century; Irish	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24876
__label__cc	0.61762	0.38238	Look where they live… 8 May 2009 Posted by marisacat in 2004 Election, 2010 Mid Terms, California / Pacific Coast, DC Politics, Democrats, Inconvenient Voice of the Voter, Israel/AIPAC, WAR!. Peacocks are displayed for sale on a street in Kabul Picture: AFP/GETTY Look where they live: Kabul… get the peacocks – and the penhens too – flak jackets and helmets! Of course they will very probably go into a walled estate, a retreat more or less evocative of a Western Orientalist’s dreams, in a protected part of the greater area around Kabul. Sort of a throwback thought here… At the Inauguration in Jan 2005, I noticed particularly that both Laura Bush and Doro, W’s sister, wore winter white suits… in the viewing box for the parade and kept them on thru some of the early evening appearances. Neither especially struck me as winter white sorts for Washington in January… and I wondered idly as I sifted cat sand boxes – always a good place and time to think about pols and their familias – was this some sort of signal to fundie religious groups. Wearing white as a sign of purity or cleansing or humility (such as the tedious religious subscribe, at all, to cough strangle choke humility) when a great honor is bestowed, for instance re-election? I have no idea, really… and I put no time into it… It did remind me of a friend in Los Angeles who told me in the year preceding Spielberg’s Academy Award win for Schindler’s List, he and Kate Capshaw lived very low to the ground… They were not seen at the flashiest of parties or openings, no extravagant make-up nor jewels… she was practically in a babushka according to my friend… and it was to conform to, to submit to a visible regimen of humility before a great honor (or doing what it takes to win, I would say!). An honor that of course had required many millions to die in order for the honor to be available.. Anyway, back to LB… within a few days of Inauguration there was some Laura Bush function that was on C-Span… and boy, it was clear, she was being re-introduced to us as some sort of, all but, Mother of the Nation. Her extra special mission was GANGS. Lordy. Gee… no thanks. Plus, last we ever heard of that bullshit. In the same vein, MO is out and about. Remember, the smile reflex can defeat the gag reflex. So they tell me. [M]rs. Obama was asked about her own time being separated from her husband while on the campaign trial. The first lady said she does not compare her experience with that of military spouses in any way. “While I was away from my husband during the time of the campaign, he wasn’t at war. He would come home on the weekends,” she said. “What I do know is that when you’re married to someone who feels a call to serve, you’re a part of that service as well. My husband’s willingness to sacrifice means that I stand behind him, stand next to him, stand with him in sacrifice as well. The women and men that I’ve met who are serving along side their spouses feel the same way.” Such a shame we have royalised the office… and annoint the inhabitants – saving a little annointing oil for the one standing behind. So that from their Great Sacrificial Heights they can lecture us. It really is boring. UPDATE, 4:19 am Saturday… One thing, as we fling ourselves into the inferno, it photographs amazingly, beautifully, in a terrible way. Towering Palm Trees explode as flames jump across state highway 154 early Friday morning in Santa Barbara, bringing the fire dangerously close to heavily populated areas. (Keith D. Cullom / AP) Hanging by a thread… 27 April 2008 Posted by marisacat in 2004 Election, 2008 Election, DC Politics, Democrats, France, Inconvenient Voice of the Voter. La Croisette – Cannes – Eugene Hernandez The day is hot, and worse, stifling. The City is entering its months long dry season, the dust will accumulate. I have shut every door that leads from a room facing South or East. West, too as the day turns to late afternoon. Shafts of harsh sun are cut off. The mid-day offering from PBS, here at least, was a full throated, dying swan version of Manon Lescaut... The lush, respiring swamp of Puccini floats thru the house… I have it blasting from the TV in the bedroom… Earlier today as I got more coffee from the kitchen, that TV was telling me that “Ford has caught up to Toyota in quality”. They should have added, as if it mattered by now, finally. If it has. I dropped in last night on Danny Schechter’s News Dissector. He has been to one of the ‘Stans, for a media panel of some sort. He says the greater world, out there, pities us. I have to say I find this a flawed take, on the part of the greater world.. Disdain, disregard, dismissal (and more)… yes fine. But I still pity the world, with a thousand bases, nuclear war heads, delivery systems, a strange group in power with only a few months to go, whoever is incoming will be tested, within and without. We’re not done yet. I just read in the past days, we now have a Fourth Fleet, for the Caribbean and So America. To “take care of things”… I let the link slip away… oh, here it is, at left i on the news. Schechter did not link to the original, but a few lines from a Sam Smith take on Obama at Undernews resonates, for me: [F]act is, Obama is mostly pictured in the media up on a platform, mostly above his audience, visually and metaphorically. This is not all his fault but it does reflect a certain disinterest by his manipulators in risking encounters of a more personal sort. Obama has on a number of occasions even shown his discomfort just hanging with the press, let alone ordinary voters. The other day, he complained because they were asking too many questions while he was eating a photo op waffle. After all, to do something like that natural like, a guy’s got to concentrate. A black politician who has done well with white voters recently explained that his secret was talking with them. Nothing changes views on anything quicker than personal experience. What might have happened in Pennsylvania if there had been fewer crowd scenes and more film clips from conversations with a small group of white voters in ordinary homes? But that isn’t in the Obama play book. You can’t be a prophet and humble at the same time. I am not expecting much. Months ago, I wondered if, quietly without fanfare as both seem uncomfortable, Obama could have sent Jesse Jackson back to some of the same all white farm towns where, thru Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid, he went in as an organiser. Towns so tense farmers went silently to meetings wearing paper bags, lest a snitch for the government be there. In the mid 80s I read a three part profile in The New Yorker on Jesse and those years figured prominently in the snapshot they took of him. I have posted how in the 2004 run, Jesse, still with Willie, had a jobs fair in the NC Appalachia region. They invited Kerry, who was just a few miles down the road. It hardly mattered, he would not go, as the local Kerry campaign offices would not even permit them to leave a poster for the window, nor drop off flyers. Jesse has some massive flaws, but as he said, Kerry was down the road with 3,000. They had over 30,000 local people at their Fair. It was a stray thought on my part, I don’t think it much matters. Politicians, even ones under fire, do precisely as they please. Well… that is my view of their “big tent”… 5 April 2008 Posted by marisacat in 2004 Election, 2006 Mid Terms, 2008 Election, DC Politics, Democrats, Inconvenient Voice of the Voter. Just a picture to hold up a thread……….. on a Saturday…. All you can do is laugh… 2 February 2008 Posted by marisacat in 2004 Election, 2006 Mid Terms, 2008 Election, DC Politics, Democrats, Inconvenient Voice of the Voter, Israel/AIPAC, Lie Down Fall Down Dems, Pakistan, U.S. House, U.S. Senate, WAR!. They won’t be doing anything differently, come the Hosanna future that dawns post election… if you did not like the 110th but suffered on, remain bent over… With a preponderance of attention being paid to the 2008 presidential campaign, the Senate races being waged during this cycle have gone largely ignored by the national media. Which is unfortunate because history is being made. On Thursday, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced that it had raised $13.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, bringing its yearly total to $55.4 million. By comparison, the previous record for money raised in a year by the organization was $43.6 million in 2005. “Every day there is more evidence that the American people are hungry for change and are looking to Democrats to provide it,” DSCC Chair, Sen. Chuck Schumer. “From successful fundraising and recruiting to record turnout in Democratic primaries, there is a wave building across the country, and with nine months to go until Election Day, we could very well deliver lasting change.” Try not to choke… try to swallow hard and know that Daddy Schumer (Chuck to his friends but not to you) loves you and wants what is best for you. On the House side, the Democrats also find their coffers being stuffed. For the year, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised a record $67.5 million. In 2008 there are 12 Democratic Senators and 23 Republican who are either retiring or are up for reelection. Of those, according to the Cook Political Report, only two Democrats face any imminent danger, while 10 Republicans find themselves in electoral crosshairs. On the House side, meanwhile, there are ten Republican seats being vacated that are deemed “toss ups” in 2008. For the Democrats that number is zero. “In the off year you have a few jobs: recruit candidates, retain incumbents and raise money,” Matt Miller, the DSCC’s spokesperson, told the Huffington Post. “We feel good about the off year we have and now that we are in an election year we have a map where there are a number of Republicans held seats where they are playing defense and really only one Democratic seat where they have a challenger. I read an interesting speculation, and that is all it was but I did pause, Chilliza in The Fix had a list of possible Veepessas for both Obama and Hillary. One on Obama’s list was TIm Kaine, who supported him very early and iirc is a National Co-Chair. He is also up in 2009, VA governor is mandated one term… Dennis Perrin, a snip from a good post… [W]hat if it’s McCain vs. Hillary in November? Oh man, that would be a blast to witness. Two nearly identical choices for imperial manager, the one slight difference being that McCain says he’s opposed to torture, while Hillary must wait to check wind velocity and direction. I can see the liberals twisting themselves into numerous knots trying to justify a Hillary vote over McCain, assuring each other that it’s the right thing to do, and of course reaching back to Bill’s criminal years for inspiration. You mules better hope that Saint Obama gets the nod instead. At least with him, the fantasy is easier to pull off. Change! Hope! Stardust! Ponies! If I ruled the world . . . Funny thing is, not that long ago, McCain was the liberals’ favorite Republican, especially in comparison to the Bushes. His time in a North Vietnamese cell earned McCain a lot of guilt cred among Bill Clinton’s groupies, who felt bad backing a draft dodger over a POW. So, they tried to have it both ways: Clinton, Hero President; McCain, War Hero and All Around Good Guy. I remember it all too well. Don’t strain, they will be reminding us. Maybe Obama can send Kerry out to campaign against McCain. A sick nasty old man who could level Kerry wtih a glance. I don’t want to remember… Here is a snip from Perrin recalling a night on Alan Colmes’ program in NYC, Perrin dared to remind three Clintonistas WHY McCain was in a POW cell in Vietnam: At one point, Colmes … asked the panel if John McCain was a war hero. Bales puffed out his chest, tilted his head to the side, weighed the issue, then pronounced that, yes, McCain was indeed a war hero. Barrymore quickly chimed in, adding her assent, while Colmes breathlessly spoke of how honored he was to have personally met McCain and basked in his glow. Then they all turned to me. “Well,” I said, hesitating a moment, for I knew my answer would elicit some hostility, “I’m not sure how heroic it is to incinerate Vietnamese children.” “OHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” was the collective reply. Colmes told me I was tasteless. [Jaid] Barrymore said I should be ashamed of myself. Bales puffed out his chest yet again (he did this a lot during the three-hour show) and demanded to know whether I considered McCain a war criminal. “No. Not personally. McCain didn’t create the policy. The war criminals were in Washington.” Still, I added, that doesn’t exonerate McCain for dropping bombs on the Vietnamese. “Oh!” squeaked Barrymore. “What should he have dropped instead — birthday presents?” The slagging went on for a little while longer. Here I was, in the middle of three Clinton liberals, reminding them why McCain ended up in a POW cell. Not that I supported torture or reprisal beatings, but some context was in order. The Vietnamese didn’t sneak into the States and kidnap McCain from his snug bed. The three couldn’t care less. What’s more, they defended the U.S. bombing of Vietnam, at least so long as McCain was doing the killing. It was a handy reminder of how crazed liberals become when they taste a little blood. So absolutely classic. A moment endlessly repeated thru time. I think Pakistan is clearly being skinned and de-feathered, to be presented to us as fine case for the “blooding of the president”, whomever, which ever it will be. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This last… I bet it has McCain and the Republican machine slobbering at the bit. Kerry pulled that ‘first and foremost an Internationalist’ schtick as well. Sorry, just don’t see new ideas from the Democratic party… not not… and more of not. [oh right, necessary addenda: opposing Obama does not constitute supporting HIllary — I realise that is complicated, god knows why] “You have to show them you won’t vote for them” 19 December 2007 Posted by marisacat in 2004 Election, 2006 Mid Terms, 2008 Election, DC Politics, Inconvenient Voice of the Voter, Lie Down Fall Down Dems. Assassination? Terrorism? yeah right. PBS tonight showed An Unreasonable Man, on Ralph Nader. More than worth it, quite wonderful. But in the middle was Lawrence O’Donnell… such a classic version of the Irish extraction doofus Dem strategist and whatever else, operative, bit of speech writing (get a glisten off those West Wing scripts)… and of course he said the very thing that matters: You have to show them you won’t vote for them. He added the sub text, also classic… ”working inside the Democratic party”, he ”never had to listen to anything from the left”. “They had nowhere to go”. Ain’t it the truth. [I realise this is not news] ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ UPDATE, 1:07 am Richard Holbrooke as street sweeper: [S]enator Clinton has traveled to more than 80 countries, building relationships that will enable her to begin to restore America’s global standing, beginning on Day 1 of her Presidency. Senator Clinton is a passionate believer in diplomacy, negotiations, and the value of, well, American values. She would outlaw torture and close Guantanamo. She would make us proud again of our leadership role in the world. I know from extensive personal observation that she would be a superb negotiator and diplomat. Hillary would strengthen the U.N. and make it more effective, after the Bush Administration weakened it. :: spin and spit:: Go strangle a chicken, Dick. You’ll feel better… ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ About to close the HuffPo (too tough to navigate, some popup or something is just a bear) but I see on their main Politics page (such as it is) that Ken Burns compared Obama to Lincoln. Let me off this plane. UPDATE, 12:23 pm The kid is not stupid: When Obama’s family heard they would be spending Christmas in a Des Moines hotel room, his 9-year-old daughter cried. Craig Crawford’s blog at CQ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Volunteer” military? 256 prisoners held at prisons in Iraq, including Abu Ghraib, filed a lawsuit on Monday against the private military contractor, CACI. The suit alleges the prisoners were repeatedly sodomized, threatened with rape, kept naked in their cells, subjected to electric shock, attacked by unmuzzled dogs and subjected to serious pain inflicted on sensitive body parts. The suit alleges that employees of CACI directed soldiers to mistreat the prisoners. Volunteers for what and to whom… Money money money money…….. [updated :: fire fire fire] 22 October 2007 Posted by marisacat in 2004 Election, 2006 Mid Terms, 2008 Election, California / Pacific Coast, DC Politics, Democrats, France, Inconvenient Voice of the Voter, WAR!. Photo – T C Breuer :: Margaret Truman’s Launderette I think Carl Hiassen has this just right… [I]n this instance, the mystery is why Clinton and the other Democrats would take a nickel from anyone so prominently linked to such slimy allegations. There are plenty of reputable (and affluent) trial lawyers who’ve never been indicted for anything. One possible excuse is that the candidates didn’t know about the Milberg Weiss scandal, which would mean they’d been living in a subterranean cave without the benefit of newspapers, TV or the Internet. [oh puh-leeeze… Mcat] Another defense would be that they didn’t know about the Milberg Weiss donations, which seems farfetched considering the firm’s heavy connections to the party. After all, its lawyers kicked in $500,000 toward the construction of a new headquarters for the Democratic National Committee. The final possibility — and the only believable one — is that the candidates knew all about the indictments and accepted the money anyway, hoping nobody would notice. That would be a big, fat, flapping in the air BINGO! It’s not illegal for a politician to accept campaign contributions from a defendant in a pending bribery case, or from somebody who’s copped a guilty plea. But it sure looks bad, not to mention hypocritical. Not that it really matters. I landed on a link to this forthright [more than a few tart replies] little interview in the NYT magazine, at Angry Arab… and let me snip out the best description I have ever read for injected, plumped lips: Are you suggesting that veiling and unveiling women are equally reductive? I disagree. We have to look at ourselves here also. Why do all the women get plastic surgery? Why? Why? Why should we look like some freaks with big lips that look like an anus? What is so sexy about that? What is sexy about having something that looks like a goose anus? I never really thought about goose anatomy. I looked when I was on a farm in France. Travel is so broadening. A goose anus hanging from a human face is a good segue to this re-telling… An emailer mentioned being at dinner in Manhattan, 4 plus the emailer. As the political conversation devolved (talk of the Armenian Resolution and Democrats in congress) it fell to who would you vote for today… 3 out of 5 declared for Hillary. One for Colbert and one (emailer) “none of the above”. Now, this ws not some gathering of semi Republicans, quasi Libertarians… or what have you. They had all marched in every anti war march in NYC, as well as travelling to DC. One had gone to DC on inauguration January 20, 2005 in a bitter storm just to protest. Bill and Hill rely on this vagueness of purpose from the electorate. My own belief is that Hill and Bill are gambling on ringing in a landmark win for Democrats. That, with Blacks lining up (and they may), Latinos lining up (and they may), the women, esp working class women, lining up (they may) as well as LGBT and assorted minorities (they may) they will not bring in a 51, 52, bare scrape to 53 per cent win (or Bill’s own 43% in the ’92 three-way), they hope to ring in a decisive majority with an historic pt spread. Just a guess. (Please note: I am not saying they manage to win, I am saying that is the gamble.) I will watch, but as in ’04 and ’06, sorry, I will not be there with them. Oh you think this was a tad dark? Think again. I skipped the war fronts. Iraq – Ed Kashi UPDATE, 1:11 pm Luke Schroder, 14, turns back to look at the smoke-filled sky in Malibu. (Richard Hartog/Los Angeles Times – October 21, 2007) From Tijuana north to Santa Barbara the fires are not contained. The Santa Ana winds, feeding the fires and drying the dry vegetation are not dying down: [G]usts hit 108 mph at Whitaker Peak near Castaic Lake and 111 mph at Laguna Peak, near Point Mugu. The powerful Santa Anas are the result of a cool high-pressure system in the Great Basin above Utah and a warmer low-pressure system along coastal Southern California. The differential between the two systems is strong, causing winds to barrel over the desert and mountains, then through canyons to the ocean. At the same time, other areas such as downtown L.A. and Pasadena experienced little, if any, wind Sunday. “It’s a fickle combination of a lot of things, including the topography,” said Kelly Redmond, interim director of the Western Regional Climate Center at the Desert Research Institute in Reno. “As the moving air makes its way to the coast, it doesn’t move as a uniform sheet of air. In some parts it stagnates, in other parts it speeds up.”The erratic nature of the winds made it difficult for firefighters to battle the flames. In Malibu, the wind raged in the morning, ebbed around noon, then raged again in the late afternoon and evening.“These add to the dilemma of people fighting fires or evacuating homes,” Redmond said.“The winds are one way one minute, and it seems OK. Then they come right back again, and you think the world is ending.” As Santa Ana winds move from high to low elevations, crossing deserts and mountains, they heat up. That is bad news for firefighters, because the winds heat and dry already-parched vegetation. “The relative humidity went from 60% to 70% around dawn to single digits: 5, 7, 8%,” Kenneth Reeves, director of forecasting for Accuweather.com said. KISS THE FUCKING COUNTRY GOOD BYE: Learning to be white: “It is a theme that seems to have informed the youthful Republican congressman’s every step, from his decision at age 4 to jettison his given name of Piyush for that of a character in the television series “The Brady Bunch” to the attentive faith-infused courting of conservatives that led to his victory on Saturday with 54 percent of the vote….Mr. Jindal is a technocrat and a Roman Catholic convert, a policy aficionado well-versed in free-market solutions to the crisis in health insurance and a proponent of “intelligent design” as an alternative theory to evolution, suggesting it may be appropriate in school science classes.” Posted by As’ad at 6:55 AM 27 comments And no, “it’s Louisiana” or “It’s the South” does not work to dismiss it. Remember that Obama is touring iwth a “formerly gay” xtian something or other. That the DNC values reaching evangelicals over modern women… That Democrats have run, are running and, further, plan to run on ending a war they will not end [let me out of this cartoon!] D Throat posted the links to it all a couple days ago (the Obama stump fest games). And a sad little note on the FP of the LAT: “Rancho Bernardo is burning to the ground due to lack of resources, while they can put an engine crew at any Malibu house at risk. My prayers go out to all affected.” — David UPDATE, 9:43 pm – a warm night in San Francisco… A view of the Witch Fire from the corner of Nordahl and Mission in Escondido. (Submitted to YourScene – LAT – By Michelle) UPDATED, 1:57 am Tuesday – still a warm night in San Francisco… Firefighters trapped along a ridge near Santiago Canyon Road use fire shelters. None were seriously hurt. (Karen Tapia / Los Angeles Times) Washing to shore… 27 August 2007 Posted by marisacat in 2004 Election, 2008 Election, DC Politics, Lie Down Fall Down Dems. Exploding whale – Tainan Taiwan – 2004 Stand back. They are using “electability” again. Democrats will be hearing that one for decades. It failed miserably in ’04, so keep rolling it out. Poor Democrats, always on cruise control.. New York Magazine on Obama: The effect on the Clinton-Obama dynamic has been appreciable. According to a recent CBS News poll, fully 82 percent of Democrats now say she has “the right kind of experience to be a good president”—compared to just 41 percent who say the same about him. And while Democrats on average still find Obama more likable than they do Clinton, she leads him by sixteen points on the question of electability. “Look, I find it hard to get behind her. She’s the worst of both worlds: too conventional and too divisive at the same time,” says a former Clinton White House official uncommitted to any candidate. “But Obama has been a disappointment. Playing the same card over and over, that he was against the war from the beginning, just is not enough. And it’s not just on foreign policy. Across the board, his campaign has been way too cautious, way too safe. I find myself wanting to support him, but there’s not enough there.” the last pic of the tryptich, on the right, always looks like a pol on the hustings to me… And, while washing to shore, use what you have… And they treated an interviewer the way politicians surely wish they could at times, refusing at first to remove their iPod earphones for a discussion of life on the trail. “I don’t want to do this,” Jack protested to his father, John Edwards, the Democratic presidential candidate and former North Carolina senator. “I don’t care whether you want to do this,” Mr. Edwards replied. A moment later, Jack hid his face in his hands. “Mr. Jack, do we need to go in the back and have a conversation?” asked Mr. Edwards, lifting his son’s head. The boy sat for a few more minutes, fidgety but obedient, before being freed and happily bounding with his sister to the fort they were building in the back of the bus. No criticism from me, not the first, not the last to shove the family into a perambulator and tour the country. Hell, wandering thru photo galleries in the local Ohio print media during the vaunted Hackett run – Jesus was at Fallujah too, on the side of the angels, you know – I landed on some bizarre, surreal photos of the militarist, the Jr League (black linen, really big sunglasses) wif and the small kids, out on the Cincinnatti suburb hustings. Folding tables set up with war paraphernalia. His helmuts, camo gear, flak jacket, firing clips – I am not kidding… It oozed, between bake sale and legal murder display. Blood cupcakes anyone? Oh yes I am so supposed to vote for that. Not in this lifetime. Here is a bit of a glance back, from TAPPED: Here’s one: At the Democratic forum today, Edwards spent some time — as he often does — lamenting the fact of medical bankruptcies. This is no surprise: Elizabeth Warren, who’s done the seminal work in this area, informally advises him. But when the Bankruptcy Bill — which Edwards voted for — came up in 2001, then-Senator Paul Wellstone offered an amendment to “create an exemption for certain debtors that can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the court that the reason for the filing was a result of debts incurred through medical expenses.” In other words, to prevent medical bankruptcies. The amendment failed, 65-34. Edwards was one of the 65 voting against it (as was Biden — Clinton and Dodd both voted for, and Obama wasn’t yet in the Senate). In doing, he broke with just about every liberal in the Senate. At times, votes like this can be out-of-context, as Senators kill good liberal amendments to get an important progressive bill to the floor. But the Bankruptcy Bill was hardly that. It’s a hard vote to explain. But I’d still like to hear what the Edwards camp has to say. Clean-up in the hot sun had to be scrumptious… ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I landed on this little tidbit – at a conservative site: Transportation officials have closed Interstate 40 in both directions in West Memphis near the Mississippi River. Officials say an inspector discovered that a bridge pier on the approach bridge west of the river had settled overnight. The bridge on the Arkansas side is being retrofitted to make keep it stable during an earthquake. Officials say the closure is precautionary. Tennessee Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Paul Degges says the bridge is being inspected to make sure it has “not been compromised by the settlement in any way.” Degges says all lanes are blocked so inspectors can take a thorough look at the span. Motorists are being diverted to the Interstate 55 bridge over the Mississippi until further notice. Tennessee is doing the bridge work, even though it is on the Arkansas side. (WREG) But not to worry about the I-35 in Minneapolis. The Republicans plan their convention there next year. New Orleans will languish, but the bridge over the Mississippi up north, at Minneapolis will be fixed. Couple of comments from the previous thread, from D Throat… D. Throat \| \| Finally someone is “whispering” about Clinton’s Banking Reform failure… “the revocation that dare not speak it’s name”: Fed bends rules to help two big banks If the Federal Reserve is waiving a fundamental principle in banking regulation, the credit crunch must still be sapping the strength of America’s biggest banks. Fortune’s Peter Eavis documents an unusual Fed move. By Peter Eavis, Fortune writer August 24 2007: 5:09 PM EDT NEW YORK (Fortune) — In a clear sign that the credit crunch is still affecting the nation’s largest financial institutions, the Federal Reserve agreed this week to bend key banking regulations to help out Citigroup (Charts, Fortune 500) and Bank of America (Charts, Fortune 500), according to documents posted Friday on the Fed’s web site. (aka Friends of Bill Clinton) The Aug. 20 letters from the Fed to Citigroup and Bank of America state that the Fed, which regulates large parts of the U.S. financial system, has agreed to exempt both banks from rules that effectively limit the amount of lending that their federally-insured banks can do with their brokerage affiliates. (Just smell what that Rock is cooking… gee kinda smells like 1929) The exemption, which is temporary, means, for example, that Citigroup’s Citibank entity can substantially increase funding to Citigroup Global Markets, its brokerage subsidiary. Citigroup and Bank of America requested the exemptions, according to the letters, to provide liquidity to those holding mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, and other securities. This unusual move by the Fed shows that the largest Wall Street firms are continuing to have problems funding operations during the current market difficulties, according to banking industry skeptics. The Fed’s move appears to support the view that even the biggest brokerages have been caught off guard by the credit crunch and don’t have financing to deal with the resulting dislocation in the markets. The opposing, less negative view is that the Fed has taken this step merely to increase the speed with which the funds recently borrowed at the Fed’s discount window can flow through to the bond markets, where the mortgage mess has caused a drying up of liquidity. On Wednesday, Citibank and Bank of America said that they and two other banks accessed $500 million in 30-day financing at the discount window. A Citigroup spokesperson declined to comment. Bank of America dismissed the notion that Banc of America Securities is not well positioned to fund operations without help from the federally insured bank. “This is just a technicality to allow us to use our regular channels of business with funds from the Fed’s discount window,” says Bob Stickler, spokesperson for Bank of America. “We have no current plans to use the discount window beyond the $500 million announced earlier this week.” There is a good chance that other large banks, like J.P. Morgan (Charts, Fortune 500), have been granted similar exemptions. The Federal Reserve and J.P. Morgan didn’t immediately comment. (WSWK: Wall Street Welfare Kings… It is sickening to see that the only reason Reagan and Clinton have gotten this far is because the tapped Americans hatred towards poor Black people… Reforming Welfare as we know it…. yeah by give 100 times as much welfare to the rich) The regulations in question effectively limit a bank’s funding exposure to an affiliate to 10% of the bank’s capital. But the Fed has allowed Citibank and Bank of America to blow through that level. Citigroup and Bank of America are able to lend up to $25 billion apiece under this exemption, according to the Fed. If Citibank used the full amount, “that represents about 30% of Citibank’s total regulatory capital, which is no small exemption,” says Charlie Peabody, banks analyst at Portales Partners. The Fed says that it made the exemption in the public interest, because it allows Citibank to get liquidity to the brokerage in “the most rapid and cost-effective manner possible.” SO, HOW SERIOUS IS THIS RULE-BENDING? VERY. ONE OF THE CENTRAL TENETS OF BANKING REGULATION IS THAT BANKS WITH FEDERALLY INSURED DEPOSITS SHOULD NEVER BE OVER-EXPOSED TO BROKERAGE SUBSIDIARIES; INDEED, FOR DECADES FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WERE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO KEEP THE TWO UNITS COMPLETELY SEPARATE. THIS MOVE BY THE FED EATS AWAY AT THE PRINCIPLE. Aug 27, 11:02 AM — And Part Two: Seems like Word press is now limiting text… here is the second part of the above: (Gee… I think he is talking about Clinton revoking the Glass Steagall Act… yunno the one that made it impossible to “accidentally have another Depression because companies like…. well like the very ones mentioned in this article Citicorp and JP Morgan (a do over) to mix brokerages and banking… which may lead to over extension…. yeah… like what the Fed just did giving them 500 million A PIECE with no assets to back it up….. The economy goes boom… no wonder Sarkozy is distancing himself… and instead of stockbroker jumping out of window… the inner cabinet is resigning… probably heading out to the “homestead” in South America…) Sure, the temporary nature of the move makes it look slightly less serious, but the Fed didn’t give a date in the letter for when this exemption will end. In addition, the sheer size of the potential lending capacity at Citigroup and Bank of America – $25 billion each – is a cause for unease. Indeed, this move to exempt Citigroup casts a whole new light on the discount window borrowing that was revealed earlier this week. At the time, the gloss put on the discount window advances was that they were orderly and almost symbolic in nature. But if that were the case, why the need to use these exemptions to rush the funds to the brokerages? Expect the discount window borrowings to become a key part of the Fed’s recovery strategy for the financial system. The Fed’s exemption will almost certainly force its regulatory arm to sharpen its oversight of banks’ balance sheets, which means banks will almost certainly have to mark down asset values to appropriate levels a lot faster now. That’s because there is no way that the Fed is going to allow easier funding to lead to a further propping up of asset prices. Don’t forget: The Federal Reserve is in crisis management at the moment. However, it doesn’t want to show any signs of panic. That means no rushed cuts in interest rates. It also means that it wants banks to quickly take the big charges that will inevitably come from holding toxic debt securities. And it will do all it can behind the scenes to work with the banks to help them get through this upheaval. But waiving one of the most important banking regulations can only add nervousness to the market. And that’s what the Fed did Monday in these disturbing letters to the nation’s two largest banks. Top of page Find this article at: money.cnn.com… ******* close of D Throat comments ***** Apologies about Word PRess. It is a mess. The Spam Filter is still blocked (nothing in it for three hours, I get over 800 spam a day)… and sometimes comments take minutes to appear. Pages are slow, the comment form is slow. ”Back pages” seem to be on a dying mule. They need Liquid Plummer. Badly. One more from the previous thread: D. Throat \| Marie EXCELLENT diary Marie there is a very interesting comment in your diary: I was at the Fed in 1987 (0+ / 0-) and I remember the events of October very clearly. Most of my colleagues had been working much longer than I had and they were all worried about the values of their mutual funds and pension schemes. I had nothing but student loans to pay, so nothing to lose. Anyone who thinks that the Federal Reserve is above being interested in the price of markets so long as there is adequate transparency and price discovery is stupid. Everyone who has savings in bonds and stocks will be watching the charts as a market crashes – including the lawyers and economists at the Fed. I was part of the team that dissassembled Glass-Steagall, and part of the team that dissassembled the McFadden Act (the other depression era law that banned interstate banking to “keep Wall Street bankers from spreading speculation to Main Street”. In retrospect I think we probably got it wrong to let the banks have their way because there is no doubt that they have leveraged the economy into a very dangerous state. Any little problem in the credit markets could now tip a large proportion of the economy into a spiral of decline. And Bush only knows how to create problems . . . “It ain’t what people don’t know that hurts `em – it’s what they do know that ain’t true.” – Will Rogers by LondonYank on Mon Aug 27, 2007 at 02:16:49 PM PDT Please do tell more!!! Aug 27, 2:37 PM ******* close of comment ********* Right… it’s an opinion 25 August 2007 .. holding up a thread. Doin’ my bit for Dem Majorities… 24 August 2007 Posted by marisacat in 2004 Election, 2008 Election, Culture of Death, DC Politics, Inconvenient Voice of the Voter, Iraq War, WAR!. White House photo President Bush and Robert Blackwill at the White House in August 2004. Blackwill served as Bush’s point man on Iraq before departing government service to become president of Barbour, Griffith, and Rogers International, whose clients include a top Maliki critic, Ayad Allawi. This story has been out and about for around 36 – 48 hours, think TPM picked up the IraqSlogger breaking story of the 23rd… and TAPPED reported on both of them (don’t you luv the Blahgs?) I am riding it just to post the pic. Linger looking at it for a minute, or two. You know, Meteor Blades ws so offended a few months ago, during one of his righteous drop-ins, that I don’t spend enough time slamming the Republicans. So, here. I did my bit. The latest email from Madam Speaker (doin’ her bit): Dear San Franciscan, On Wednesday, President Bush attempted to justify his stay-the-course strategy in Iraq by offering false lessons from history. However, the American people have already judged the President’s war in Iraq as the wrong war at the wrong time, and are ready for our troops to come home. » To read my statement in response to President Bush’s speech click here. Next month, Army General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker are scheduled to brief Congress about the White House report on military and political progress in Iraq. The question this report must answer is: why does the Administration continue to risk the lives of our brave troops in a civil war when the Iraqi government refuses to take the political steps necessary to end the sectarian violence? Yesterday’s new National Intelligence Estimate report on Iraq provided further evidence that the Iraqi government is failing to reach political reconciliation. After nearly five years of a failed policy in Iraq resulting in over 3,600 troops killed, thousands more wounded, and nearly $500 billion, the American people deserve a candid assessment of the situation in Iraq. » To read my statement regarding the progress report click here. An overwhelming majority of the American public have called for an end to the war in Iraq and a redeployment of our troops. [snip] Yes… and why is the 110th congress at 18% in the polls? The lowest — ever? To bring a comment forward from the previous thead: Ha!!!! Dodd is pretending to come to the rescue of the financial ruin he created. Remember Dodd was Clinton’s point man in the Senate in their scheme to revoke the Glass Steagall Act which had plugged up the hole in the markets making them secure since the Depression. Dodd’s Plan for the Mortgage Crisis by Melissa Ryan, Fri Aug 24, 2007 at 12:51:02 PM EST One thing I really like about Chris Dodd is his expertise and commitment to financial issues, especially when it comes to predatory lending. The mortgage crisis is a growing concern for me and I expect Dodd, both as my Senator and Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, to be a leader in facing it. This week Dodd met with Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke to discuss options. Today he released his own plan which includes steps for both immediate action and fundamental reform. Over the past six years the Republican response to concerns about the economy was the housing market. Home ownership is up! Housing prices are going up! How can the economy be hurting when the housing market is doing so well? For some reason I haven’t heard that particular talking point lately. I wonder why. Make no mistake it took a long time to create this situation and any solution must also be long term. One of Dodd’s biggest strengths as a candidate is his passion for fighting against predatory lending practices. There is no candidate I trust more to lead America out of the mortgage crisis. No… it took the CEO of Citicorp bags of monies to Clinton to have FDR’s safety net removed with the help of Dodd. It is amazing the outright lies touted by Dems. After 12 attempts in 25 years, Congress finally repeals Glass-Steagall, rewarding financial companies for more than 20 years and $300 million worth of lobbying efforts. Supporters hail the change as the long-overdue demise of a Depression-era relic. On Oct. 21, with the House-Senate conference committee deadlocked after marathon negotiations, the main sticking point is partisan bickering over the bill’s effect on the Community Reinvestment Act, which sets rules for lending to poor communities. Sandy Weill calls President Clinton in the evening to try to break the deadlock after Senator Phil Gramm, chairman of the Banking Committee, warned Citigroup lobbyist Roger Levy that Weill has to get White House moving on the bill or he would shut down the House-Senate conference. Serious negotiations resume, and a deal is announced at 2:45 a.m. on Oct. 22. Whether Weill made any difference in precipitating a deal is unclear. On Oct. 22, Weill and John Reed issue a statement congratulating Congress and President Clinton, including 19 administration officials and lawmakers by name. The House and Senate approve a final version of the bill on Nov. 4, and Clinton signs it into law later that month. Just days after the administration (including the Treasury Department) agrees to support the repeal, Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, the former co-chairman of a major Wall Street investment bank, Goldman Sachs, raises eyebrows by accepting a top job at Citigroup as Weill’s chief lieutenant. The previous year, Weill had called Secretary Rubin to give him advance notice of the upcoming merger announcement. When Weill told Rubin he had some important news, the secretary reportedly quipped, “You’re buying the government?” Midnight Talks Closed Deal on Financial Overhaul # Issue in Depth Banking Reform: Beyond Glass-Steagall At a fund-raiser at Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s home here shortly after 6 o’clock on Thursday evening, President Clinton asked one of his closest friends in the Senate, Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, how the talks were going with Republicans over the most important financial legislation since the Great Depression. Dodd was not optimistic about the bill, which had reached the point of do or die. After four days of bitter polemic between Senator Phil Gramm, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, and Administration officials, the two sides were stuck over highly symbolic and racially tinged community lending rules that threatened to rip the legislation apart. The discussions had become so poisoned by Thursday night that Gramm threatened both the White House’s top economic adviser, Gene Sperling, and the head of Citigroup that he would pull the plug on the bill, something neither the Administration nor Wall Street wanted. But Dodd returned to the Capitol and, with a handful of other Democrats from the Banking Committee, slowly managed to turn Gramm around in an emotional confrontation in a tiny back office crammed with three dozen lawmakers and aides and Administration officials.There, they agreed to split a critical difference — giving Gramm one provision he wanted that would make community lending advocates more accountable, and giving the White House what it wanted by making sure banks provided credit in poor communities before entering new lines of business. **** close of comment from D.Throat **** Speaking of the Clintons. One or the other. Who knows which is which, pulling forward a comment of Revisionist’s that did make me smile: Revisionist \| \| Just got an earful on the bus from some old coots leaving the VA. Korea was a mistake. Viet Nam pointless. Gulf I a joke and Iraq the most idiotic thingthe US has ever done. (but WW2 was the bomb). Brief foray into poor JFK and how he wouldnt have gotten us into the war. This lead into a discussion about the jellyfish do-nothing congress which lead to Mrs Clinton. She is none too popular and they think the Repubs want her to run because she is the easiest to beat. It was like being on a non-affiliated blahg except we were all aged moderate vets. Word on the bus is no one is buying what Hillary is selling. Aug 24, 11:21 AM ** close of comment from Revisionist **** Last but hardly least, oh that sly IOZ, this one made me laugh. Just doing my bit for Dem Majorities. Which, surprisingly, I do want to see. Big ones. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Oops! IOZ is neither last nor least… Hersh has an interview in Adbusters, here is a snip: DC: Given that you’ve been following US governments since basically Vietnam, how does this administration’s foreign policy compare? SH: Well, it’s a joke. Look, even in Vietnam, in the worst days, you always had Kissinger. I never thought I’d say it, but if we had a Kissinger around, we at least could be reasonably sure that what seems to be an insane policy would have some protocol to fill. At one point, I remember Kissinger in the early 70s trying to strike a deal to buy, I think, 12 years worth of oil from the Shah of Iran at a bargain price, ten or 12 bucks a barrel, and that would have explained some of the huge arms deals that were going into this failing state. It was inexplicable except there was a side deal. So you always thought, okay, maybe you can’t always see it. So if Kissinger were here, this insanity we’re seeing right now concerning the war in Iraq might be tied to the argument that maybe it’s hiding some complicated form that we just can’t figure out. But without a guy like Kissinger, what you see is what you got. [Geesh, thanks Hersh, I will do without Kissinger, if it is all the same to you. Not that he is ever really gone. Like McNamara, Meese, Colson and a few others. — Mcat] DC: But you have to wonder if there is some underlying logic. You touched on the chaos model. Iraq appears to be a disaster for US foreign policy but it may not be to people on the inside. You’ve basically inoculated Iraq; you’re close to Iran; you’ve got a big embassy going up; a permanent base in the Middle East; you’re selling arms by the billions. [Bingo on that graf! — Mcat] SH: I don’t buy that. You could argue that the Israelis can move their anti-missile weapons from the borders in Iraq to other borders. But nah, it’s a disaster. Of course they had planned to grab the oil, and they are building a new facility in the Green Zone. And they are probably building at least one base about which we don’t know much. Apparently there is a lot of concrete being poured on the ground somewhere near the border with Iran. They are thinking about permanent bases. It was all part of the strategic plan, but they’re not going to be able to hold any of it. The end will be pretty brutal. In the end the embassy will crumble. It will all fall down. The chaos theory, in broad terms, is simply to let it all go up in smoke. But I don’t believe there is any way that this can work out in a way that makes sense. Even for the Straussian believers in controlled destruction. But again, it could be right. We don’t get much straight talk from this president. One of the American enemies down the line will always be the Saudis. We know they’ve played games, they’ve financed a lot of Salafi groups around the world. And the idea that Saudi Arabia is a moderate state, that Jordan is a moderate state when Abdullah II is holding on by the skin of his teeth, or Mubarak in Egypt who is certainly anything but a democrat. All of these countries are pretty marginal. So I just don’t know what’s going to happen [snip] Bleh… 23 August 2007 Posted by marisacat in 2004 Election, 2008 Election, DC Politics, Inconvenient Voice of the Voter, Lie Down Fall Down Dems, U.S. Senate. look at our hearty… revolutionaries? Hardly… I am your Goldwater Girl on the far end of the panel. Then the dying Straight Talk Express… and then… Joe [and Zell — somehow not in this wonderful photograph] so show what a sham and a skeleton the Democratic party is. In the wake of the ’04 cycle, hard to call it much more, it came out that Lieberman had campaigned unofficially for Bush in the greater Miami area. On campaign stages and at GOTV meetings, he would say, Bush is Better for the Security of America and Israel. I called it BIB, Bush is Better and posted about it in an Open Thread at Orange Place. Not too well received, btw… 😉 C-Span covered a GOPac post election breakfast with Mona Charen and Gingrich and they openly thanked Lieberman from the podium ofr his work on the campaign. And Zell, well he stood by Bush and called for “discerning Democrats” to come on down and make a deal. Only Jimmy Carter publicly called him out, in an opinion piece published nationally. What a joke it all is. Just an overnight thread. Oh and remember, some of the Boyz say Lamont pushed Joe out of the party. Really bad when you push such lousy failing propaganda. Just saw this at the end of the preceeding thread, and it belongs here… btw, those bilious types in the photo up top? All Bush Dogs. bayprairie: my nomination for a top comment, in the stoller diary Really? (2+ / 0-) Cause it sounds to me like a bait and switch. Let’s blame it all on a few House members and give the leadership a pass. Let’s give the Senate a pass too. And what are these profiles supposed to accomplish? Nothing except to maybe make a few disgruntled progressives feel like they’re doing something. I mean if the DCCC came up with this idea just to try to stop the hemorrhaging of the Democratic base, it couldn’t be any more worthless. Or, since Mr Stoller campaigned for the oh-so-progressive, former chair of Goldman Sachs, John Corzine, maybe it was his idea. Notice also that almost all of these people on the list are so used to running as Republicans that they can probably use their “Profile” in their campaigns next year. I ain’t buying it. by TocqueDeville on Wed Aug 22, 2007 at 04:04:39 PM PDT	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24879
__label__wiki	0.548578	0.548578	Tag Archives: Mary Beth Kelly $9.2M: Michigan tops nation in supreme court campaign spending Michigan led the nation in campaign spending for 2009-2010 on state high-court elections, according to a report prepared by the Justice at Stake Campaign and two of its partners, the Brennan Center for Justice and the National Institute on Money in State Politics. “The New Politics of Judicial Elections 2009–10” compiled figures that showed high-court spending in Michigan was nearly $4 million more than in Pennsylvania, the next state on the list: Michigan: $9,243,914 Pennsylvania: $5,424,210 Ohio: $4,437,302 Alabama: $3,538,805 Illinois: $3,477,649 Texas: $2,951,719 The report had this to say about the election cycle: In Michigan … interest groups and political parties dominated the airwaves, estimates of campaign spending ranged from $9.1 million to $11.1 million (with $6.8 million to $8.8 million in non-candidate spending). Regardless of the precise figure, Michigan’s judicial election spending was easily the nation’s highest in 2009-10. … So great was the independent spending in Michigan that the four supreme court candidates [Young, Kelly, Justice Alton Davis and Judge Denise Langford-Morris], who raised a total of $2.3 million, at times seemed like bystanders in their own elections. The state Republican Party single handedly outspent all four candidates, investing more than $4 million in electoral support. Kicking in more than $1.5 million was the state Democratic Party, while the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA), a Virginia-based group with ties to the National Rifle Association, also made a major TV splash. Most of the special-interest spending in Michigan was concealed from the public, a fact that accounts for the variation in estimates of total spending. Although ads by both parties and the LEAA were blatant attempts to sway votes, Michigan’s outdated disclosure law treated them as apolitical “issue ads,” and required no campaign finance filings disclosing the amounts spent. Estimates of total spending therefore were largely based on the volume of TV ads each group ran, and estimates of what that airtime cost. It also was impossible to decipher who ultimately bankrolled independent efforts in Michigan. After being the preeminent player in the previous five supreme court campaigns, the state Chamber of Commerce sponsored no television advertisements in 2010. But it did give $5.4 million to the Republican Governors Association (RGA), a national campaign organization. The RGA ultimately transferred $5.2 million back to Michigan’s Republican Party, which was the leading television sponsor in this year’s high court campaign. Accountability was lost in the face of the RGA’s massive national shell game. The report also slammed the Michigan Democratic Party’s campaign against Young: The Democrats anti-Young campaign reached rock-bottom … when they ran an ad that said Young “used the word ‘Slut!’ and ‘The “N” Word!’ in deliberations with other justices” and urged voters to call Young and “tell him we don’t need a racist or a sexist on the Michigan Supreme Court.” Posted in Campaign Finance, Courts, Election Reform, Elections, Michigan Supreme Court \| Tagged Alton Davis, Denise Langford Morris, Mary Beth Kelly, Robert Young \| Leave a reply Plaintiff can’t amend NOI to add a party, MSC rules Posted on August 1, 2011 by Brian Frasier A medical malpractice plaintiff can’t use Bush v. Shabahang and MCL 600.2301 to amend his notice of intent (NOI) to add a party to the lawsuit, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled. In the majority decision of Driver v. Cardiovascular Clinic, Justice Mary Beth Kelly wrote that the NOI only applies to the person upon which it was served. Therefore it didn’t toll the statute of limitations for any non-parties. Further, she wrote, Bush is inapplicable to the case because it requires the case be pending, which this one was not, at least against the non-party. By its plain language, MCL 600.2301 only applies to actions or proceedings that are pending. Here, plaintiff failed to commence an action against CCA before the six-month discovery period expired, and his claim was therefore barred by the statute of limitations. “An action is not ‘pending’ if it cannot be ‘commenced’ . . . .” In Bush, however, this Court explained that an NOI is part of a medical malpractice “proceeding.” The Court explained that, “[s]ince an NOI must be given before a medical malpractice claim can be filed, the service of an NOI is a part of a medical malpractice ‘proceeding.’ As a result, [MCL 600.2301] applies to the NOI ‘process.’” Although plaintiff gave CCA an NOI, he could not file a medical malpractice claim against CCA because the six-month discovery period had already expired. Service of the NOI on CCA could not, then, have been part of any “proceeding” against CCA because plaintiff’s claim was already time-barred when he sent the NOI. A proceeding cannot be pending if it was time-barred at the outset. Therefore, MCL 600.2301 is inapplicable because there was no action or proceeding pending against CCA in this case. She also said that allowing the plaintiff to amend the NOI would alter the substantial rights of the non-party. Every defendant in a medical malpractice suit is entitled to a timely NOI. The legislative purpose behind the notice requirement “was to provide a mechanism for ‘promoting settlement without the need for formal litigation, reducing the cost of medical malpractice litigation, and providing compensation for meritorious medical malpractice claims that would otherwise be precluded from recovery because of litigation costs . . . .’” Applying MCL 600.2301 in the present case would deprive CCA of its statutory right to a timely NOI followed by the appropriate notice waiting period, and CCA would be denied an opportunity to consider settlement. CCA would also be denied its right to a statute-of-limitations defense. These outcomes are plainly contrary to, and would not be in furtherance of, the Legislature’s intent in enacting MCL 600.2912b. Finally, the court held that Burton v. Reed City Hosp. is still alive, even under Bush. Nothing in Bush altered our holding in Burton. The central issue in Bush involved the effect an NOI had on tolling when the NOI failed to comply with the content requirements of MCL 600.2912b(4). The central issue in Burton involved the effect the plaintiff’s failure to comply with the notice-waiting-period requirements had on tolling. Indeed, the Bush Court repeatedly emphasized that the focus of MCL 600.5856(c) is compliance with the notice waiting period set forth in MCL 600.2912b.67 In contrast to placing doubt on the viability of Burton, this aspect of Bush aligned with Burton’s holding that a plaintiff must comply with the notice waiting period to ensure the complaint tolls the statute of limitations. Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr. concurred, incorporating by reference his dissent from Potter v. McCleary regarding the service of an NOI on a professional corporation. Justice Diane M. Hathaway dissented, arguing that the plaintiff should have been allowed to amend the notice of non-party statute. The majority erroneously asserts that plaintiff cannot use the NNPF 91-day window because plaintiff did not provide an NOI to CCA six months before filing the original action. However, the majority errs in this analysis. Under this reasoning, no plaintiff who brings a malpractice lawsuit under the discovery rule can ever use the NNPF statute to bring a claim against an identified nonparty at fault because no plaintiff will ever have provided an NOI to a nonparty at fault six months before filing the original suit. This reasoning renders an entire provision of the NNPF statute, the provision allowing plaintiffs to file claims against nonparties at fault, nugatory. This clearly was not the intent of the Legislature and violates the basic tenets of statutory construction. The majority fails to recognize that the NNPF statute creates it own 91-day window in which to bring claims against identified nonparties at fault. If the majority’s reasoning were correct, and a plaintiff were not afforded the opportunity to start his or her claim by providing an NOI to the nonparty at fault during the 91-day window, the NNPF and NOI statutes would be in irreconcilable conflict. She wrote that, in this instance, the plaintiff tried to meet the requirements of the statute, and therefore, Bushshould have allowed him to amend the NOI. Justice Michael F. Cavanagh said he would concur with the result of Hathaway’s dissent. Posted in Uncategorized \| Tagged Burton v. Reed City Hosp. Corp., Bush v Shabahang, Diane M. Hathaway, Driver v. Cardiovascular, Mary Beth Kelly, Michael F. Cavanagh, Robert P. Young Jr. \| Leave a reply MSC overturns ‘Champion,’ finds employer not liable for employee quid quo pro sexual harassment Posted on July 29, 2011 by Brian Frasier In Hamed v. Wayne County, the Michigan Supreme Court overturned its holding from Champion v. Nation Wide Security that imposed liability on employers for the quid pro quo sexual harassment by a supervisory employee under the Michigan Civil Rights Act (CRA). For the 4-3 majority, Justice Mary Beth Kelly wrote that the Champion court ignored traditional common law principles of respondeat superior which were incorporated into the CRA by reference. First, we note that Champion’s holding was contrary to the plain language of the CRA. As we explained in Chambers, the CRA specifically incorporates common-law agency principles in its definition of “employer.” Michigan’s common-law agency principles, however, do not include the aided-by-agency exception, and the Legislature did not modify the common law by including the aided-by-agency exception in the CRA. The Champion Court failed to recognize this clear intent. Rather, like the dissenting justices here, the ChampionCourt reasoned that the remedial purpose of the civil rights law justified holding the defendant employer vicariously liable for the acts of its employee, based on an apprehension that adherence to traditional agency principles would completely foreclose employer liability for quid pro quo sexual harassment claims. Aside from failing to give effect to the Legislature’s intent, this reasoning is flawed for two additional reasons. First, it wrongly elevates the CRA’s general remedial purpose above its plain language. Such reasoning is contrary to the cornerstone of statutory interpretation, which is the rule that the plain language used is the best indicator of the Legislature’s intent. Second, the policy concern at the heart of Champion is fundamentally flawed because it was premised on an unfounded fear. Application of traditional agency principles does not foreclose employers from vicarious liability in the context of quid pro quo sexual harassment claims. An employer may still be liable for and act of quid pro quo sexual harassment that was committed within the scope of employment or for a foreseeable act that was committed outside the scope of employment. Thus, liability may certainly attach if there is sufficient cause to impute the employee’s or agent’s acts to the employer because the employer knew of the employee’s propensity to commit the type of act involved. Kelly also said the Championcourt relied on federal case law interpreting the federal statute, which is different than the Michigan CRA. Three justices dissented. Justice Michael Cavanagh wrote that Champion was correctly decided, noting that it was a unanimous decision at the time. In light of this understanding of the CRA’s purpose and the Legislature’s intent in enacting the CRA, I believe that Champion properly advanced the legislative intent by ensuring that clearly discriminatory conduct is eradicated. The majority’s interpretation, however, bars plaintiff from pursuing a claim in furtherance of this goal and ignores “the legislative intent that employers, not the victims of sexual harassment, bear the costs of remedying and eradicating discrimination.” Champion, 450 Mich at 714. The majority erroneously discards Champion’s interpretation of the legislative intent as based “purely on policy considerations,” ante at 22, and ignores the fact that the policy considerations discussed in Champion were the motivation behind the Legislature’s enactment of the CRA. As a result, “in seeking to shield employers from liability, the majority instead places the burden of preventing an abuse of authority and the corresponding harm on people powerless to prevent it.” Zsigo v Hurley Med Ctr, 475 Mich 215, 236; 716 NW2d 220 (2006) (MARILYN KELLY, J., dissenting). Cavanagh said the majority is wrong “under any standard” based on the deputy’s previous conduct and violation of jail policies requiring female officers to be present anytime a female inmate is in jail. Posted in Uncategorized \| Tagged Hamed v. Wayne County, Mary Beth Kelly, Michael F. Cavanagh, Michigan Civil Rights Act, quid pro quo sexual harassment, respondeat superior, vicarious liability \| 1 Reply Three MSC opinions in, five remain Justice Mary Beth Kelly The Michigan Supreme Court released opinions in three of the eight cases that remain pending for the 2010-2011 term. All three opinions released yesterday were criminal cases. In the first, People v. Kowalski, the court found that the trial judge’s omission of the actus reus was a plain error, but upheld the defendant’s conviction for accosting a minor for immoral purposes or encouraging a minor to commit an immoral act. The court found that defendant effectively waived the issue because his counsel didn’t object to the jury instruction, and even if he didn’t waive it, the prosecutor produced sufficient evidence at trial to support the jury’s guilty verdict. The count was 7-0, but Justices Michael Cavanagh and Marilyn Kelly concurred in the result only. Cavanagh wrote a concurrence in which he disagreed with the lead opinion’s waiver analysis. He also suggested the lead opinion should have applied a harmless error analysis for a constitutional error, rather than the plain error analysis it used. Justice Stephen J. Markman In People v. Huston, the court considered whether to upgrade the defendant’s sentence for engaging in “predatory conduct” on a “vulnerable victim.” In the majority opinion, Justice Markman wrote that the preoffense conduct need not be directed at “any specific victim,” just a victim, to be considered predatory under the statute, and the victim need not be “inherently vulnerable.” Instead, a defendant’s “predatory conduct,” by that conduct alone (eo ipso), can create or enhance a victim’s “vulnerability.” This was a 6-1 decision with Justices Diane Hathaway and Marilyn Kelly concurring in the result but dissenting to the part about predatory conduct. Justice Michael Cavanagh dissented. Finally, in People v. Bonilla-Machado, the court found that a prison employee is a “person” to establish a continuing pattern of criminal behavior for scoring offense variable 13. Probably more importantly, it held that the application of enhanced maximum sentencing is discretionary and not mandatory as the trial court had stated. The justices quibbled over the scope of crimes OV 13 can be scored. Posted in Uncategorized \| Tagged Diane M. Hathaway, Marilyn Kelly, Mary Beth Kelly, Michael F. Cavanagh, Michigan Supreme Court, opinions, People v. Bonilla-Machado, People v. Huston, People v. Kowalski, Robert P. Young Jr., Stephen J. Markman \| Leave a reply Bills would streamline adoption process for foster care children LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Supreme Court Justice Mary Beth Kelly and Michigan Department of Human Services Director Maura D. Corrigan have urged legislators to approve bills before both chambers that will streamline the adoption process for children in foster care. The passage of these bills could pave the way for expedited placement in qualified, permanent homes for more than 1,100 children. Currently, the only person authorized to approve adoptions for children in foster care is the Michigan Children’s Institute (MCI) superintendent. Since April 2010, the MCI superintendent has received 1,100 such cases for approval. Under the bills, the MCI superintendent, the legal guardian for children committed to MCI when parental rights have been terminated, may authorize a designee to provide written consent to the adoption, marriage, guardianship or emancipation of MCI wards. The designee would be allowed to authorize adoption requests where the child is already living in the recommended adoption home and a review by a caseworker and supervisor has determined there are no concerns about the placement. Kelly said her experience as a family court judge convinced her that the bills are needed. “No matter how good a job the MCI superintendent does, he or she is only one person, and it is simply unrealistic to expect one person to perform in-depth reviews of hundreds of these cases each year,” Kelly told legislators. While finding a permanent, loving home for children in foster care is a key mission for DHS, Corrigan was clear that the expedited process will not sacrifice due diligence in the examination of potential adoptive families. The department will be systematic, careful and considerate when determining who will be named as a designee, Corrigan told members of the Senate Families, Seniors and Human Services committee. “The best place for a child is in a stable, permanent home. That is our goal for each of the 4,150 children in foster care available for adoption. Joining a family should not be delayed because only one person in the entire state can authorize a child’s adoption or guardianship,” Corrigan said. Among the bills’ supporters is the Michigan Probate Judges Association. In a March 15 letter to Sen. Judith Emmons, Judge Dorene Allen, chief judge of the Midland County Probate Court and chair of the MPJA’s Juvenile and Adoption Issues Committee, wrote that the legislation “will facilitate the permanency of children in the abuse and neglect system, certainly a goal we can all agree upon.” Source: Michigan Department of Human Services Posted in adoption code, Family Law, legislation \| Tagged Dorene Allen, Judith Emmons, Mary Beth Kelly, Maura D. Corrigan, Michigan Children’s Institute, Michigan Department of Human Services, Michigan Probate Judges Association \| 1 Reply Mary Beth Kelly criticized as her appointment set to expire From the Metro Times, several Wayne County judges and departments are apparently displeased with the leadership of Chief Circuit Judge Mary Beth Kelly, whose appointment as Chief Judge expires at the year’s end. Critics of Kelly — who came to the bench as an appointee of Republican Gov. John Engler in 1999 — sometimes characterize her policies as part of an effort by outstate conservatives to control leaders in the more liberal Detroit. They say some of her actions reflect the region’s longtime inability to come to terms with racial issues. She’s not making the correct, albeit difficult, decisions about how to effectively manage governmental operations with limited dollars, they say. And she should be stopped. "I say Mary Beth Kelly has got to go," Detroit City Councilwoman Brenda Jones told one gathering held to "learn about the injustices taking place in our court system." Defenders in the story call her fair-minded and say that her biggest problem is that she “came to power in an unusual way. Posted in Uncategorized \| Tagged chief judge, Friend of the Court, John Engler, Judges, juvenile court, Mary Beth Kelly, wayne county, Wayne County Circuit Court \| Leave a reply	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24887
__label__wiki	0.867883	0.867883	Maidenhead Council Officer Raises Fears Over Lack Of Control Of Uber Drivers And Blames TfL Uber drivers are ditching their private hire licences with the Royal Borough and signing up for Transport for London (TfL) instead. Greg Nelson, the council’s trading standards lead, told a meeting of the Royal Borough’s Licensing Panel on Tuesday that the switch means the council has less control over drivers operating in the area. While Uber has an operating licence with the council, regulations do not prevent drivers signed up to the transport app from being registered with TfL but working elsewhere. Mr Nelson said: “I’m not particularly happy with this because the whole purpose of licensing is we have some degree of control on the vehicles operating in our area. “If Uber drivers are waiting somewhere in the Royal Borough, parked illegally, there is nothing we can do about their physical presence.” Mr Nelson added that by relinquishing their licences, Uber drivers would not have to comply with the council’s proposed safeguarding training for Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers. Cllr Maureen Hunt (Con, Hurley and Walthams) said: “Our taxi drivers are going to have to pay for this safeguarding training but Uber won’t. “We have to look at the fairness of this.” During the meeting at Maidenhead Town Hall, panel members recommended that private hire drivers registered with the council should pay for mandatory safeguarding training. Royal Borough taxi driver Mohammed Yasin said after the meeting: “I’m not against the training but the cost shouldn’t be placed on the drivers. “This is for public safety, why can’t the council locate funds from the public purse? “Otherwise, this is an extra tax for taxi drivers.” The cost of the training was discussed in part two of the meeting, which the public and press are not able to attend. from Taxi Leaks https://ift.tt/2GZ20XK via IFTTT https://ift.tt/2qw4Xno https://ift.tt/UJT069	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24890
__label__wiki	0.922529	0.922529	Meron Dubale Healing, connection and roots. One of my all time favourite movies so far! 26/03/2016 08/05/2016 \| Meron Dubale I’ve linked Adopting James’ review as I think it hits the nail on the proverbial head! It has so much more depth than one realises after watching a string of not so successful, post-Finding Nemo, Pixar animations. Take it away James…! adoptingjames Zootopia is Disney’s 55th animated feature film, and it broke records as being the highest grossing Disney animated opening of all time. Why is that? Personally, I think it’s because Disney has been delivering better and better films after their decade of mediocrity (1995-2004). The animation powerhouse, with the help from Pixar geniuses, has worked hard over the past twelve years to regain the world’s trust. Each film, from Bolt to Big Hero 6, has steadily gotten better and better, and diving deeper and deeper with substance and superior quality. After seeing it with my son today, I can see why it’s garnered a near 100% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes by both critics and audiences alike (many even claiming it’s the best Disney film ever), and why it’s broken the record as the studio’s highest grossing opening. Zootopia is not your typical animated film. Sure, it’s anthropomorphic, which is not uncommon… < Rabbit National Poetry Month > View meronaverona’s profile on Facebook View meronaverona’s profile on Instagram View merondubale’s profile on LinkedIn Thought for August 1… on Entering motherhood: reality v… 100 days – DON… on 100 days of mini creation… Shuko on “Go get a job!… adarlingworld on Look beyond the label. Merona Verona on Look beyond the label.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24892
__label__cc	0.582921	0.417079	All fields: Siege Save to favorites A Plan of the Siege of the Havana Save to favorites Captain-general's palace Save to favorites Description of rivers and ports of Cuba, 1757-1764 Save to favorites The Carrell: Journal of the Friends of the University of Miami Library, Vol. 2, No. 2, December... Save to favorites Plans, elevations, sections, and details of the Alhambra, vol. 1 Save to favorites Journal of events during the expedition commanded by the Earl of Albemarle and Sir George Pocock... Save to favorites Miami Hurricane, April 14, 1933 Save to favorites Miami Hurricane, May 04, 1939 Save to favorites Miami Hurricane, March 02, 1939 Save to favorites Miami Hurricane, February 10, 1938 Save to favorites Miami Hurricane, January 21, 1937 Save to favorites Clipper, Vol. 11, No. 8, August 1954 Save to favorites WorldPass bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 3, 1987 Save to favorites SCORE, Summer 1997 Save to favorites Miami Hurricane, September 20, 2012 Save to favorites Pan American clipper, Vol. 9, No. 5, May 1951 Save to favorites Pan American air ways, Vol. 5, No. 1, January 1934 Save to favorites Report to employees, Special Report,1957 Save to favorites Biblioteca histórica cubana, tomo segundo Save to favorites Clipper, Vol. 17, No. 5, May 1958 Save to favorites Clipper, Vol. 7, No. 11, November 1959 Save to favorites Clipper, Vol. 8, No. 1, January 1960 Save to favorites Wing tips, Vol. 2, Issue 4, May 1968 Save to favorites Foreign station handbooks for Pan American employees Save to favorites Miami Hurricane, November 05, 1996 Save to favorites Christ in concrete : [manuscript copy of the short story and first chapter] Save to favorites General López : the cuban patriot Save to favorites Pictorial history and guide book of Saint Augustine, the oldest city in the United States Save to favorites Original papers relating to the expedition to the island of Cuba Save to favorites Miami Hurricane, December 02, 1994 Save to favorites Clipper, Vol. 16, No. 3, March - April 1957 Save to favorites Pan American air ways, Vol. 6, No. 5, September 1935	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24893
__label__cc	0.652975	0.347025	Microsoft empties a CLIP into Windows 10 Creators Update bugs May 24, 2017 at 17:49 GMT 3 years ago In the above video, Microsoft is not telling the story of Clippy, one of their earliest attempts at AI, but rather their structured approach to killing operating system bugs on Windows. CLIP, short for Customer Listening and Improvement Program, is how Microsoft collate feedback from a number of sources, including the Feedback Hub, support requests in forums and phone calls, telemetry and even social media like Facebook and twitter. Microsoft engineers then meet daily, assess reports, looking for patterns and impact, prioritise fixes and then assign these to specific staff, which are then pushed out in regular Windows updates. Microsoft then closes the loop by trying to learn lessons and correct procedures so that the same kinds of bugs are not repeated in the future. With the help of CLIP Microsoft has now, 6 weeks after the release of the Creators update, decided to widen the roll-out of the OS update, meaning more of our readers will soon see the update prompt, and will hopefully be able to update without being concerned about running into issues. Feedback Hub	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24895
__label__cc	0.64721	0.35279	Rebecca Horn, Circlre for Broken Landscape, 1997/2007. ©VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2018 The Permanent Art Collections encompasses works from the 12th century to the present. It is organised in three parts: the Old Masters, the Classical Modernism and the Modern and Contemporary Art Collections. to the Permanent Art Exhibitions Alexej von Jawlensky, Self Portrait, 1912 Exhibition View Classical Modernism Alexej von Jawlensky, Variation – Great Path, Evening, 1916 Katharina Grosse, Seven Hours, Eight Voices, Three Trees, 2015 Joseph Beuys, Blue Jeans with dried Fishes, 1970 Gerhard Richter, Terese Andeszka, 1964 Thomas Florschuetz, Enclosure (CC) 15, 2010/13 Robert Seidel, Grapheme, 2013 Middle Rhine, Crucifix, around 1200 Middle Rhine, Saint Pauls, Madonna, Saint James, around 1500 Anselm Feuerbach, Nanna, 1861 Wilhelm von Kobell, Resting at the Plow, 1790 Further Themes The museums education offers events and courses for School classes, children, families, adults or groups. Please find everything concerning guided tours and workshops also special events here. Multimedia-Guides as an App Let us guide you – with one of our multimedia-guides. With images for comparison purposes, texts with further details and audio tours you can get a deeper imapct in our museums collections. Please find our offers for your mobile device in the App-Store von Apple or the Google Playstore. The prize is funded by the city of Wiesbaden, the Spielbank Wiesbaden and the Nassauische Sparkasse. The support of these three institutions signals their recognition of and commitment to the creative energy Alexej von Jawlensky contributed to the cultural life of our city and to an active dialogue with the most important currents of contemporary art. The Museum Association Otto Ritschl began bestowing the prize in 2001 in Ritschl’s honor to artists whose work focuses on color and the investigation of color and spatiality. The prize is associated with an exhibition at Museum Wiesbaden, including a catalogue, and a cash award. Catalogue of Works Since the early 1990s, Museum Wiesbaden has compiled numerous catalogues of works of 20th century artists, some of which are the outcomes of research projects supported by cooperation partners, such as Vordemberge-Gildewart Foundation, the Russian Avant-Garde Art Foundation, the Art Fund Foundation or the estate of Eva Hesse, and some of which were produced in connection with special exhibitions. The catalogues also presented research opportunities for young scholars working on various aspects of their doctoral theses. Vollrad Kutscher Since January 2015 the „Zentrale Stelle für Provenienzforschung in Hessen“ (Central Bureau for Provenance Research in Hesse) is located at the Museum Wiesbaden. The institution supportes the three lands museums in Darmstadt, Kassel udn Wiesbaden in discharging their responsibility and proof systematically the confiscations resulting from National Socialist persecution. Archive and Estate Management The art collections of Museum Wiesbaden have been shaped by a sustained interest in spirited critical engagement with currents of Classical Modernism, Modern and Contemporary art. Archival research, documentation and estate management must be more than self-referential reappraisal. Our knowledge of the early 20th century avant-garde, the collection of its artistic production, as well as contemporary testimony from this period, are all indispensable to our current perspective of contemporary art. Yet this fundamental work is often omitted. The classification of individual works, work convolutes, and entire estates in their respective contexts allows us not only to see the outcomes of artistic developments but to trace their structural and conceptual contexts into the present day. The holdings at the art library at the Museum Wiesbaden encompasses some 40.000 volumes. The profil is orientated on the art collections with the focus on Classical Modernism and Conetemporary Art. The main part is with exhibtion catalogue and portrait Painingt by painters. The first Tuesday of every month, our expert staff of art historians and restorers is available for consultation. Please note, we do not offer appraisal services. To make a consultation appointment, contact curator Dr. Peter Forster at +49 (0)611/335 2282. The workshops for the restoration of paintings and sculptures in Museum Wiesbaden are responsible for the conservation and restoration of works in our collections. Furthermore, they are responsible for organizational and conservational aspects of our temporary exhibitions, as well as for national and international works on loan. Supervising the collections regarding restoration involves monitoring and maintaining a record of their condition and performing “first aid” as required. It also involves supervising the hanging of works and installations, as well as ensuring the appropriate packing of pieces after the exhibition and supervising couriers. Restorers support a central aspect of our provenance research as well as in the meticulous inspection of individual works. Finally, restorers support the work of our curators in appraising and assessing works of and for the collection and support the monthly Consultation. Paper Conservation Museum Wiesbaden has employed a full-time conservator since the 1980s. In 2009, the workshop moved into the newly renovated attic rooms, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The workshop is responsible for the general maintenance of the collections regarding the conservation and restoration of works and, in recent years, increasingly for the processing of new acquisitions and the preparation of special exhibitions.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24899
__label__wiki	0.752398	0.752398	Can you remove harmony from counterpoint? For example, two melodies at once but one melody is only on the on beats while the other is only on the off beats, does this remove the harmony from counterpoint? theory harmony counterpoint BillBill en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmony – delete me♦ Oct 19 '15 at 4:52 It does not make sense to try and remove the harmony from counterpoint as by definition it is the relationship between voices that are interdependent harmonically yet independent in rhythm and contour. Removing harmony defeats the purpose of counterpoint to make lines work together yet sound independent. Doing what you suggested does not remove the harmony aspect of counterpoint and could even be considered fourth species counterpoint where you use a lot of resolving nonharmonic tones like suspensions. You seem to think that counterpoint is subservient to harmony but the relationship between the two could easily be construed in the opposite way. So I don't think it's fair to say that removing harmony defeats the purpose of counterpoint. – Alex Oct 19 '15 at 23:38 @Alex the point of counterpoint is to create to independent melodies that are harmonically interdependent. You need the harmony to work for it to work and its not subservient it's a product of harmony. Also suspensions are not the only non harmonic tones in fourth species, you can also have retardations. – Dom♦ Oct 19 '15 at 23:41 Short answer: no. Long answer: no. Harmony deals with notes presented simultaneously, and the succession of these simultaneities; counterpoint deals with lines presented simultaneously. Harmony in its broadest sense encompasses what we call tonal and functional harmony, but isn't limited to these. The difference is one of viewpoint: harmony can be seen as a succession of vertical tranches of a polyphonic piece of music, whereas counterpoint views the music as a combination of horizontal layers. The concepts are orthogonal, and by no means mutually exclusive: a piece of polyphonic music may emphasise one or the other viewpoint, but the unemphasised dimension is always there as well. But, even more specifically with regards to your question, the presence of syncopation isn't sufficient to derail functional harmony. Used between simultaneous tonal lines, syncopation will tend to suggest anticipations and/or suspensions. In common practice harmony, these are called non-harmonic notes, which are used to make melodic connections between harmonic tones. An anticipation states a tone that is foreign to the harmony on an offbeat, and holds it over to the downbeat where it forms part of the harmony, i.e., it resolves. A suspension works the other way around: the held note is part of the harmony on the offbeat, and foreign to the harmony on the following downbeat (usually resolved by moving by step to a chord tone on the next beat). Chains of suspensions are actually something of a cliché in tonal music: This is from J. J. Froberger's 2nd Ricercare. It is a contrapuntal piece of music that is filled with precisely the kinds of syncopations that you mention; it is also a tonal piece, even somewhat modal (coming at the very end of the transition between modality and common practice tonality). The key is G with a strong Mixolydian cast. Let's have a look at where he sets the syncopations in relief, with the entrance of the descant voice on a high D at the end of m.75. If you take a vertical slice through the 4th beat of m.75, you have a first inversion D minor chord (v6 in the context of G). The D is held over the first beat of the next bar, where it is dissonant to the E underneath, resolving to C on the 2nd crochet: the harmony for the first half of m.76 is thus the first inversion of a C major triad (IV6 in G). The high C is held over the third beat of m.76 to form vii° with the F♯ and A beneath it. (Actually, the E left hanging in the alto gives a strong suggestion of a half-diminished seventh on F♯.) Movement by step produces a G major chord (I) on the last beat of the bar, the B of which forms a dissonance with C at the start of m.77, resolving to A as part of ii6 on the second beat. The third beat of m.77 articulates the third inversion of D7 leading to a first inversion G chord (I6) on the last beat. In m.78, the held G in the descant is a common tone; the B in the alto isn't dissonant, but I would tend to call it an accented passing tone (as is the quaver F in the descant): the first half of the bar articulates a first inversion C major chord. The C in the alto is then held to form a minor seventh chord on D, the C resolving to B to form a first inversion diminished chord on B taken a vii° of the key of C, forming a cadence with the C major chord that starts the last bar of the example. (The quaver G in the tenor on the last beat of m.78 forms a 2nd inversion dominant 7th in the key of C, but Froberger treats it as an accented passing note.) Froberger modulates from G to C starting in m.78. So there you have it: a passage in which at least one voice is syncopated against the rest at any given point of time, which also has a very strong harmonic framework. (Froberger was known for his harmony, as a matter of fact.) If you were to reduce the number of voices to two (which Froberger starts to do briefly at the end of the passage), it wouldn't change the fact the music implies harmonies and harmonic motion. Now, it is entirely possible to remove the sense of resolution and functional harmony from a pair of voices syncopated relative to each other, but they will still tend to imply harmonic roots and a (perhaps inadvertent) succession of these roots. Syncopation is a rhythmic technique: it is quite neutral with regards to the presence or absence of functional harmony, which is established by voice leading. two melodies at once but one melody is only on the on beats while the other is only on the off beats, does this remove the harmony from counterpoint? No. The ear makes the alternating notes blend in our perception, and this creates the effect of a harmonic progression. Extreme case of this: an arpeggio! The notes of the chord are played, but not at the same time. Still, even though there's no chord, strictly speaking, we still hear the harmony, and we can think of the arpeggio as though it were a chord. aparente001aparente001 Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged theory harmony counterpoint or ask your own question. Is this the wrong way of analysis? What's “species counterpoint”? Are there any other types of counterpoint? Can modal counterpoint be studied without studying harmony? Where to start? Accidentals in First Species Counterpoint Is there some trick for counterpoint beyond 2 voices? Are counterpoint and harmony mutually exclusive? Counter-example of counterpoint technique? Tonal harmony: 18th century counterpoint vs. Accessible contemporary harmony and composition How to apply counterpoint to my own compositions? How to identify modes in Medieval counterpoint?	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24900
__label__wiki	0.759811	0.759811	Sun 16 \| NFM \| Wroclaw Tue 18 \| Westminster Cathedral \| Ldn Thu 20 \| Cattedrale di Pisa \| Pisa Tue 30 \| KKL \| Lucerne Thu 1 \| Musikverein \| Vienna Fri 2 \| Müpa \| Budapest \| Hungary Sun 4 \| Gasteig \| Munich Mon 5 \| Philharmonie \| Luxembourg Wed 7 \| Concertgebouw \| Amsterdam Corinne Winters Ann Hallenberg Edgaras Montvidas Gianluca Buratto The Monteverdi Choir and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique led by John Eliot Gardiner embarked on a European tour of Giuseppe Verdi’s legendary and powerful Mesaa da Requiem in autumn 2018. Following two hugely successful performances of the Messa da Requiem in Zurich earlier in 2018, given by John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir with the Tonhalle-Orchester, the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique stepped into the frame to illuminate Verdi’s work on period instruments. After travelling to Wroclaw to open the series in celebration of the birth or Poland on 16 September, the tour visited a roster of major European venues including Pisa, Lucerne, Vienna, Budapest, Munich, Luxembourg before concluding in Amsterdam on 7 November. A special London concert took place on 18 September at Westminster Cathedral in support of Cancer Research UK, which was dedicated to MCO’s late Stage Manager Richard Fitzgerald who sadly passed away from lung cancer in 2016. Click here to find out more about this event. The Monteverdi Choir and ORR were joined by a stellar line-up of soloists; Corinne Winters (Soprano), Ann Hallenberg (Mezzo-soprano), Edgaras Montvidas (Tenor) and Gianluca Buratto (Bass). REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS NFM, Wroclaw “Gardiner gripped the audience together with his sixty-two forces of the choir, the bass drum and timpani, the pure power of ORR’s brass, thunderous strings and the alarming piccolo so strict and hard that there was a shake of the earth the listener could not fend off.” – Bachtrack ★★★★ Jens Klier “Accompanied by the shimmering strings of the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, the ravishing voices of the Monteverdi Choir set out for a spellbinding venture into the Verdi choral tableau, performing with such profound unity under Gardiner’s direction only years of collaboration can bring forth.” – Jari Kallio “The occasion was a performance of Verdi’s Requiem in Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday night that was perhaps as perfect a demonstration of the power of music as I have ever experienced.” – Beachcomber, The Express Musikverein, Vienna “The Monteverdi Choir was, of course, a ray of light with its elastic, precise way of singing.” – DerStandard Philharmonie, Luxembourg “No need to repeat here the extraordinary quality of the Monteverdi Choir, whose flexibility and ductility probably have no equal at present” – ResMusica, Pierre Degott “The Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique creates a terrifying apocalyptic climate, which leaves the audience speechless at the end of an hour and a half of incredible tension” – ResMusica, Pierre Degott “What was revealed by Gardiner between that beginning and the end was truly revolutionary and romantic.” – Opera Magazine NL, Franz Straatman “Gardiner built a mighty dramatic arc, with the help of four passionate soloists, who were not afraid to seek the limits of their expressive abilities” – NRC Handelsblad, Joost Galema “The amazing backbone of this performance was the miraculous Monteverdi Choir… Without exaggeration: this choir really has to be the best choir in the world. Whether it’s Bach, Beethoven, Berlioz or Brahms, this elite corps of singers always perfectly matches the right tone.” – Trouw, Peter van der Lint	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24908
__label__wiki	0.834138	0.834138	What’s Open, What’s Closed On Martin Luther King Jr. DayHere’s a quick look at what’s open and what’s closed on this federal holiday honoring the civil rights icon. Zimmer On Daniel Carlson's Release: 'Did You See The Game? Pretty Easy'Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson was released Monday after missing three field goals, including two in overtime, and costing the Vikings a win, David McCoy reports (2:24). WCCO 4 News at 6 - Sept. 17, 2018 Vikings, Packers Fans Have Mixed Reactions To Tie At Lambeau FieldAs you might imagine, both Vikings and Packers fans were perplexed after this one. Neither side was particularly happy with the outcome, Mike Max reports (4:21). WCCO 4 News Weekends - Sept. 16, 2018 Vikings Ready For Heat, Real Turf At LambeauThe first border battle of the season for the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers goes down Sunday, Mike Max reports (2:58) WCCO 4 News At 10 – Sept. 15, 2018 Tony Dungy Enters ‘U’ Hall Of FameMike Max sit down with football legend Tony Dungy before he was honored Friday night by the University of Minnesota (0:43). High School Sports Rally – September 14, 2018 Edina Offensive Lineman Heading To Notre DameQuinn Carroll’s size and abilities have help propel Edina's football team -- and he's caught the attention of many major colleges, reports Mike Max (2:33). High School Sports Rally – September 14, 2018 High School Football Highlights For Sept. 14, 2018Mike Max breaks down all the great plays Friday across Minnesota (2:37). High School Sports Rally – September 14, 2018 Featured Game: Spring Lake Park At CooperDavid McCoy breaks down all the great plays from Friday night’s game in New Hope (2:12). High School Sports Rally – September 14, 2018 Vikings Could Look To Go 'Air Purple' Against PackersThe Vikings will look to move the ball downfield with their receivers against the Packers' secondary, Mike Max reports (2:05). WCCO 4 News at 6 - Sept. 13, 2018 Smith Will Miss Rest Of Gophers Season With Torn ACLSenior running back Rodney Smith will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL early in Saturday night’s win (00:46). WCCO 4 News at 10 – Sept. 10, 2018 Alan Page Has NFL Community Award Named For HimEx-Minnesota Viking and former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page has NFL award named for him. Angela Davis reports. (2:48). WCCO 4 News At 5 – Sept. 10, 2018 Friends, Colleagues Remember Original Vikings TrainerThere was something missing at U.S. Bank Stadium for the Vikings game Sunday. His name -- Fred Zamberletti, Mike Max reports (2:16). WCCO 4 News At 10 – Sept. 9, 2018 Vikings Defense Shows In Sunday’s GameThe difference between Garoppolo and Cousins Sunday was a large gap and as Mike Max reports, the Vikings' ever-reliable defense had a lot to do with that (1:23). WCCO 4 News At 10 – Sept. 9, 2018 Vikings Radio Analyst Recaps GameVikings radio analyst and former Vikings linebacker and assistant coach, Pete Bercich, joins WCCO’s Mark Rosen to talk about Sunday’s game (1:10). WCCO 4 News At 10 – Sept. 9, 2018 Vikings Excited After Kirk Cousins' First GameThe Vikings nation is fired up. It was an all-out Vikings fever pitch Sunday as tailgaters flooded downtown Minneapolis near U.S. Bank Stadium, Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield reports (2:00). WCCO 4 News At 10 – Sept. 9, 2018 Vikings SKOL Line Visits ‘CCOThe Minnesota Vikings will play their first game of this season Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium -- and that means the SKOL Line is back, reports Jennifer Mayerle (4:34). WCCO Saturday Morning – September 8, 2018 H.S. Football Highlights For Sept. 7, 2018Mike Max and Frank Vascellaro break down all the great plays under Minnesota’s Friday night lights (2:09). High School Sports Rally – September 7, 2018 Wayzata-Minnetonka Play Unforgettable GameIt was an old-fashioned shootout on turf Friday night in Minnetonka, reports David McCoy (2:07). High School Sports Rally – September 7, 2018 Featured Game: Eden Prairie At Lakeville NorthThere was a big upset Friday night for the defending state football champs, reports Mike Max (1:03). High School Sports Rally – September 7, 2018 Another Child Expected For Kyle & Jordan RudolphKyle Rudolph said the baby boy will join their family in January, just in time for the NFC Championship Game, Ali Lucia reports (1:04). WCCO 4 News At Noon - September 7, 2018 WCCO Viewers Predict The Vikings' SeasonThe Vikings' first regular season game is Sunday, at home against the 49ers (3:30). WCCO Mid-Morning - September 7, 2018 Cousins, Receivers Talk Chemistry As Opener ApproachesNothing is more important for Kirk Cousins than chemistry with his pass catchers, and they shared their thoughts on the topic on Thursday, David McCoy reports (2:19). WCCO 4 News at 6 - Sept. 6, 2018 Vikings, 49ers Football PreviewWhile so much of the focus has been on the Minnesota Vikings, it’s easy to forget they are playing a team on the rise -- San Francisco, Mike Max reports (1:24). WCCO 4 News At 6 – Sept. 5, 2018 Questions Linger As Vikings Opener ApproachesThe Vikings only have a few questions in terms of personnel heading into Week 1, but they always have questions about how they will perform, Mike Max reports (1:42). WCCO 4 News at 6 - Sept. 4, 2018 « Previous1...678910 Minnesota WCCO TV	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24909
__label__cc	0.698124	0.301876	Scripture Reference: Judges 16:4-22 Suggested Emphasis: Good friends encourage us to be good but bad friends pressure us to do bad things. Memory Verse: “Do not be misled, bad company corrupts good character.” Although the Lord chose Samson, Samson did not always choose God! He fell in love with a Philistine woman, named Delilah, who did not believe in God. The Philistine rulers paid Delilah to find out the secret of Samson’s strength. Delilah begged Samson to tell her his secret and finally revealed that his strength was in his long hair. Delilah told the Philistine leaders and they cut Samson’s hair, made him blind, and put him in prison to do hard work. Information about the time of the judges. It seems Samson did not learn from his mistakes! The story that follows seems almost incredible unless you have seen the way Satan uses the tool of lust to bring down those of even the strongest character. Samson fell in love with another woman. Her name was Delilah. The Philistines were still trying to find a way to destroy Samson so they used Delilah. They offered her money to find out the secret of Samson’s strength. We don’t know if Delilah agreed because of fear (remember how Samson’s wife was killed? 15:6) or simply greed. Whatever the reason, Delilah tried her best to find out the secret of Samson’s strength. First Samson told Delilah that his strength would be gone if his hands were tied with fresh thongs of leather. During the night Delilah tied Samson’s hands. The Philistines hid in the room so that they could be there to capture Samson. When Delilah woke him, he jumped up and snapped the thongs of leather. Trying to make Samson feel guilty, she enticed him once again to tell him his secret. Once again, Samuel told her a false reason. Delilah did exactly as Samson had told her. She tied him with new ropes. Once again the Philistines hid in the room. Delilah woke Samson and he snapped the ropes. Once again Delilah tried to entice Samson. He told her that his strength would be gone if his hair was woven into a loom. Delilah did this and when she woke him, he jumped up and pulled the loom apart. Now Delilah used her best tricks. She used the “L” word. If Samson loved her then he would tell her. She continued to nag him. You would think Samson would remember what happened when his wife had nagged him into telling him the answer to his riddle (Judges 14:16-17). Delilah was hard to resist. Finally Samson told her everything. He revealed that his long hair was a symbol of his dedication to God. If he would forget his dedication and allow his hair to be cut, God would no longer provide him with tremendous strength. Delilah called all of the Philistine leaders back to her house. After Samson was asleep, Delilah told one of the men to shave off Samson’s 7 braids. Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” His vow was broken; God no longer gave him special strength. Philistines captured Samson. After all of taunts Samson had sent their way, the Philistines wanted to make sure that he was taken care of. They wanted him to be a symbol of Israelite humiliation. They gouged out his eyes and shackled him. He was put to work doing the menial task of grinding in a mill. For more about Samson see: Samson and Delilah and The Death of Samson Ask everyone in the room to name their best friend(s). Talk about what things we do with friends. Discuss how friends can help us be good or bad. Perhaps share an experience from your childhood when someone tried to get you to do something wrong or when you were the one leading friends astray. “Did you know that Samson did not learn how to make good friends? Samson kept choosing friends that got him into trouble. He even chose bad girlfriends. Let’s find out what happens to Samson in today’s story.” After time had passed, Samson fell in love with another woman. Her name was Delilah. The Philistines still hated Samson. They did not understand how he could be so strong. They wanted to know the secret of his strength so they could capture him. When the Philistines heard about Samson and Delilah, they decided to use Delilah to find out Samson’s secret. They went to Delilah and offered her lots of money. They told her that they would give her the money if she could trick Samson into telling the secret of his strength. That night Delilah begged Samson to tell her about his strength, “Samson, please tell me how you can be captured.” Samson decided to trick Delilah. He told her that if someone tied him with leather strings, his strength would be gone and he could be captured. During the night, while Samson was sleeping, the Philistines came and hid in the room. Delilah tied him with the leather strings just like he had said. Delilah called out, “Wake up Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” Samson immediately jumped up and snapped all of the leather strings off. Samson had tricked Delilah! Delilah did not like that. She knew that the Philistines would not like that either. The next time Delilah asked Samson to tell her the secret of his strength, he told her that the secret was new ropes. If he was tied with new ropes that had never been used, then his strength would be gone. Anyone could capture him. Once again Delilah waited until he was asleep and then tied him with new ropes. The Philistine men hid in the room. Delilah called out, “Wake up Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” Samson immediately jumped up and snapped the ropes. Ropes were not the secret of his strength! Delilah begged Samson to tell her the real way that he could be captured. Samson told her that if someone wove his hair into a loom then all of his strength would leave him. Delilah tried that too. She wove his hair into a cloth loom while he was sleeping. When she called out to him: “Samson, the Philistines are upon you” Samson jumped up and broke the loom into pieces. Delilah was getting angry. Why wouldn’t Samson tell her his secret? “Samson, if you really loved me, you would tell me how you can be captured. Please tell me. Please, please, please!” Finally Samson got tired of Delilah asking him. He really wanted Delilah to love him. If he didn’t tell her, maybe she would not love him any longer. Maybe she wouldn’t want to be around him. He decided to tell her about the Nazarite Vow. He told her that if he ever cut his hair then all of his strength would leave him. Anyone could capture him then. Now Delilah knew that she had the real secret. She told the Philistine men to hide in the room one more time. After Samson was asleep, Delilah got one of the men to sneak over and shave off Samson’s hair. His hair was in seven braids and the Philistine shaved off all of them. This time, when Delilah said: “Wake up Samson, the Philistines is upon you!” Samson jumped up but had no strength. He had broken his promise to God and all of his special strength left him. The Philistines captured Samson and made him a slave in a mill where grain was ground up into flour. They also made him blind. Now all of the Philistines could come and watch Samson and make fun of him. Every day Samson probably wished that he had not listened to Delilah. He knew that he should have done what the Lord said. Read more about Samson in The Birth of Samson and The Death of Samson. Who was Samson’s girlfriend? Delilah Why did Delilah try to trick Samson? The Philistines gave her money What were some of the things that Samson told Delilah that were not the way to capture him? Tie him with leather thongs and new ropes, weave his hair in a loom. Why did Samson finally tell Delilah that his strength was in his hair? Because she kept begging him. When the Philistines cut Samson’s hair, what did they do with him? Blinded him and put him in prison as a slave. Write situations on cards and let the children draw a card and act out the situation. These should be situations where peer pressure plays a part e.g. “all of my friends want to go see a movie that my parents don’t want me to see”, “my best friend asks me to help him/her steal some lollies from the shop” etc. Blow up a balloon but do not tie it. Explain that this balloon is like us. We might be able to say no the first time someone pressures us but when they pressure us over and over, we can’t take the pressure and give in. Example: One of your friends says a swear word (blow up the balloon a little more), Then another friend swears when they lose at sport (blow it up some more), then your friends begin to swear at the park (blow it more). When the balloon finally bursts explain that we can take the pressure for a while but if we keep hanging around friends that swear then we finally can’t stand the pressure and we swear. Look up songs in the church song book that mention temptation. Before class research photos of people with very long hair and share the findings in class today. Sing: If You Love Jesus Make masks from paper plates and act out the story. Make a shoebox diorama. Samson Box (ideas for all Samson lessons)- Hair, scissors, toy fox, old wine or beer bottle with a big red X on it, Barbie doll, sunglasses (blindness), white cane, paper “temple” crumpled up . . . Click here for “Samson and Delilah” printables to print (A4 paper) Click here for “Samson and Delilah” to print (Letter size-USA) Colouring page and puzzle worksheets (Calvary Curriculum) Colouring picture of Samson killing lion at http://www.bible-printables.com/ Online slideshow or printable flip chart of Samson’s life at http://bibleforchildren.org/ Craft: Delilah scissor and Samson hair snack at http://www.churchhousecollection.com/delilah-scissors-and-samson-hair.php Worksheets: There are a number of Old Testament worksheets on the following link. Just scroll down to “Judges Worksheets-Samson”. The link is http://www.squidoo.com/ Wordsearch puzzles at http://www.dltk-bible.com/ Activity sheets at http://www.dltk-bible.com/ Wordsearch at http://www.dltk-bible.com/ A good selection of both online and printable puzzles, activities and story words covering the Judges: Gideon and Samson at http://gardenofpraise.com/ One thought on “Samson and Delilah” Pingback: Samson and Delilah – Children's Church	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24911
__label__cc	0.602664	0.397336	Blog Tour: The Space Between Time By Charlie Laidlaw #Excerpt #Giveaway June 12, 2019 June 9, 2019 mistysbookspace Welcome to the month-long mega tour for Charlie Laidlaw’s newest book, The Space Between Time, due for release on June 20th! There will be fantastic bloggers participating, who will be posting interviews, excerpts, reviews, and other exclusive content! Additionally, there are loads of goodies being given away, so be sure to enter at the bottom! Title: The Space Between Time Expected Publication Date: June 20th, 2019 Genre: Contemporary Fiction/ Dark Comedy There are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on Earth… Emma Maria Rossini appears to be the luckiest girl in the world. She’s the daughter of a beautiful and loving mother, and her father is one of the most famous film actors of his generation. She’s also the granddaughter of a rather eccentric and obscure Italian astrophysicist. But as her seemingly charmed life begins to unravel, and Emma experiences love and tragedy, she ultimately finds solace in her once-derided grandfather’s Theorem on the universe. The Space Between Time is humorous and poignant and offers the metaphor that we are all connected, even to those we have loved and not quite lost. Timescale for a Closed Universe It wasn’t an afternoon that I like to remember, and not just because of my shrieking tantrum. Once I’d calmed down, Mum told me I’d been very silly, because it was all make-believe on a cinema screen. I reminded her that she’d cried when Bambi’s mum died, and that was a film and a cartoon. Mum said that it wasn’t the same thing at all. But I wasn’t being silly because I wasn’t old enough to know the difference between pretence and reality. Dad had looked pretty dead on the screen. The blood on his chest had looked pretty real. If it had been a different dead person, I would have been OK. Children don’t really know where make-believe ends and the real world begins and, partly because of who I am, it’s remained pretty hazy ever since. I also don’t like to remember that film because it was the moment when I realised that our lives were about to change, and I didn’t know if that would be a good thing. Sounds strange, yes? Here’s something stranger: I am a child of the sea, I sometimes think, and have done ever since we first moved to live beside it. I feel subject to its vagaries and tempers, with its foaming margins framed against a towering sky. I am familiar with its unchanging mood swings. That’s how I like things; I find the familiar comforting. I find change threatening. I am the daughter of someone who, not long after that ghastly cinema outing, became one of the most famous actors of his generation and, importantly for me, the granddaughter of a rather brilliant but obscure physics professor. But despite their overachievements, I have inherited no aptitude for mathematics and my father positively hated the idea of his only offspring following in his thespian footsteps. He knew how cruel and badly paid the profession could be. But I still look up to my grandfather, and think of his ludicrous moustache with affection. Gramps once told me that there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on Earth. Just think of all those sandpits, beaches and deserts! That’s an awful lot of stars. He then told me, his only grandchild, that I was his shining star, which was a nice thing to say and why I remember him talking about sand and stars. On clear nights, with stars twinkling, I often think about him. I still believe in my grandfather, and admire his stoic acceptance in the face of professional disdain, because I believe in the unique power of ideas, right or wrong, and that it’s our thoughts that shape our existence. We are who we believe ourselves to be. I gave up believing in my father long ago, because speaking other people’s words and ideas seemed like a lame excuse for a job, even if he was paid millions, and met the Queen on several occasions. She must have liked him because she awarded him an OBE for services to film, theatre and charity. Charity! Who the hell told the Queen that? I stopped believing in him one Christmas Day, a long time ago, when he simply didn’t turn up. It wasn’t his presents that I missed, or even his presence, but the warm, fuzzy feeling of being important to him. During that day of absence and loss I concluded that his wife and daughter couldn’t much matter to him, otherwise he’d have made a bigger effort to get home. That Christmas Day, my father was simply somewhere else, probably in a bar, immaculately dressed, his hair slicked back, the object of male envy and the centre of every woman’s attention for miles around. In that respect, Dad was more tomcat than father, except that by then his territory, his fame, stretched around the globe. I know this: by then he had a Golden Globe to prove it. He gushed pheromones from every pore, squirting attraction in every direction, and even women with a poor sense of smell could sniff him out. I feel mostly Scottish, but am a little bit Italian. It explains my name, Emma Maria Rossini; my dark complexion, black hair, the slightly long nose, and thin and lanky body. Obese I am not, and will never be, however much pasta I eat, and I eat lots. It also explains my temper, according to some people, although I don’t agree with them, and my brown cow’s eyes, as an almost-boyfriend once described them, thinking he was paying me a compliment, before realising that he had just become an ex-almost-boyfriend. But mostly I am a child of the sea. That’s what happens if you live for long enough by its margins: it becomes a part of you; its mood echoing your mood, until you know what it’s thinking, and it knows everything about you. That’s what it feels like when I contemplate its tensile strength and infinite capacity for change. On calm flat days in North Berwick, with small dinghies marooned on the glassy water, and loud children squealing in its shallows, it can make me anxious and cranky. The sea, on those days, seems soulless and tired, bereft of spirit. But on wilder days, the beach deserted, or with only a hardy dog-walker venturing across the sand, with large waves thundering in, broaching and breaking, then greedily sucking back pebbles into the foam, I feel energised: this is what the sea enjoys, a roaring irresponsibility, and I share in its pleasure. We are all children of the sea, I sometimes think, or we should be – even those who have never seen an ocean or tasted its saltiness; I can stand for hours and contemplate its far horizons, lost within myself, sharing its passion. In the Firth of Forth is the ebb and flow of my past and my existence, wrapped tight against the west wind. It is what I am, placid and calm, or loud and brash. Purchase Here! I was born in Paisley, central Scotland, which wasn’t my fault. That week, Eddie Calvert with Norrie Paramor and his Orchestra were Top of the Pops, with Oh, Mein Papa, as sung by a young German woman remembering her once-famous clown father. That gives a clue to my age, not my musical taste. I was brought up in the west of Scotland and graduated from the University of Edinburgh. I still have the scroll, but it’s in Latin, so it could say anything. I then worked briefly as a street actor, baby photographer, puppeteer and restaurant dogsbody before becoming a journalist. I started in Glasgow and ended up in London, covering news, features and politics. I interviewed motorbike ace Barry Sheene, Noel Edmonds threatened me with legal action and, because of a bureaucratic muddle, I was ordered out of Greece. I then took a year to travel round the world, visiting 19 countries. Highlights included being threatened by a man with a gun in Dubai, being given an armed bodyguard by the PLO in Beirut (not the same person with a gun), and visiting Robert Louis Stevenson’s grave in Samoa. What I did for the rest of the year I can’t quite remember Surprisingly, I was approached by a government agency to work in intelligence, which just shows how shoddy government recruitment was back then. However, it turned out to be very boring and I don’t like vodka martini. Craving excitement and adventure, I ended up as a PR consultant, which is the fate of all journalists who haven’t won a Pulitzer Prize, and I’ve still to listen to Oh, Mein Papa. I am married with two grown-up children and live in central Scotland. And that’s about it. Charlie Laidlaw \| Facebook \| Twitter I have 2 signed copies of The Space Between Time to giveaway, 3 fun coffee mugs featuring all 3 of Charlie Laidlaw’s books, and 3 digital copies of the book in the winner’s format of choice! Amazing right? Click the link below to enter! Open Internationally – Giveaway closes June 30th Reads & Reels (Review) http://www.readsandreels.com The Writer’s Alley (Review) https://www.jacobrundle.com Yearwood La Novela (Excerpt) http://yearwooddailybookreview.wordpress.com Tranquil Dreams (Review) http://klling.wordpress.com Little Tinklabee (Review) https://littletinkablee.com/ Jessica Belmont (Review) https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/ Cup of Toast (Review) https://cupoftoast.co.uk Gwendalyn’s Books (Review) http://gwendalynbooks.wordpress.com Breakeven Books (Interview) https://breakevenbooks.com Didi Oviatt (Excerpt) https://didioviatt.wordpress.com Life at 17 (Review) https://lifeat17.wordpress.com Where Dragons Reside (Excerpt) https://kernerangelina.live/ Inked and Blonde (Review) http://www.inkedandblondeonline.co.uk Go By the Book (Review) http://gobythebookblog.wordpress.com Novel Lives (Review) https://novellives.com/author/literacybatmanlives/ Valerie’s Musings – https://valeriesmusings.com/ Misty’s Book Space – https://mistysbookspace.wordpress.com Brianne’s Book Reviews (Review) http://briannesbookreviewsvideo.wordpress.com Love Books Group – http://lovebooksgroup.blog Wrong Side of Forty (Review) http://wrongsideoffortyuk.wordpress.com The Eclectic Review – http://eclecticreview.wordpress.com The Bookworm Drinketh (Review) http://thebookwormdrinketh.wordpress.com/ The Reading Chemist (Review) https://thereadingchemist.com/ Erin Decker (Excerpt) http://erindeckerblog.wordpress.com Reading Nook (Excerpt) http://readingnook84.wordpress.com Banshee Horror Blog (review) www.bansheeirishhorrorblog.com The Faerie Review (Review) http://www.thefaeriereview.com The Magic of Wor(l)ds (Interview) http://themagicofworlds.wordpress.com Sawdust & Spoons (Review) http://sawdustandspoons.com/ The Hufflepuff Nerdette (Review) https://thehufflepuffnerdette.wordpress.com/ Yearwood Novela – http://yearwooddailybookreview.wordpress.com Kim Knight (Review & Interview) http://www.kimknightauthor.com Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks (Review) https://quirkycatsfatstacks.com/ The Photographers Way (Review) http://www.thephotographersway.org Daily Waffle (Excerpt) http://www.dailywaffle.co.uk/ I’m Into Books (Excerpt) https://www.imintobooks.com/ Scarlett Readz & Runz (Interview) https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/ B is for Book Review (Review) https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com Blog Tour Organized By: Blog Tour Bookaddict Bookaholic Bookblogger Bookdragon Booklover Booknerd Bookworm Charlie Laidlaw Excerpt Giveaway ilovebooks R&R Book Tours The Space Between Time Previous Post Blog Tour: The Birth Of Gemini By C.S. Johnson #Giveaway Next Post WWW Wednesday 6 thoughts on “Blog Tour: The Space Between Time By Charlie Laidlaw #Excerpt #Giveaway” I am not there in the schedule… Hehehe Shannon has forgotten me. Maybe the list hasn’t gone to the author with my name. Authors should come to thank us… 😂 😂 😂 Oooh Shannon is going to here soon. I feel like a naughty child escaping before she comes… Lovely post.. Did you complete the book? No I haven’t finished the book yet. I still have the last 20% to read lol. I focused on finishing my library book because it’s due in the 13. 😂😂 Ah well… One day, some day I will finish this month sometime lol 😂 The book promo is so cute? Do you like it, or think that it represents the book well? I have about 20% left and I’ve honestly been struggling with it. I would definitely go and look at other peoples reviews from the tour as well because I have a very unpopular opinion it seems. 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__label__wiki	0.950098	0.950098	Objekt made the year's biggest rave anthem in 'Theme From Q' The Berlin techno mainstay struck a chord with the Ibiza crowd Words: Patrick Hinton \| Image: Kasia Zacharko We're toasting to our Stars Of The Year. Next up: Objekt “If you’d told me five years ago I’d write what is apparently Ibiza’s number one summer house track of 2017...” says TJ Hertz, before tailing off, unable to finish the hypothetical. And it does sound absurd that a producer revered for his immensely detailed sound design and tangled, twisting textures would strike a chord with the ’Beefa massive, but ‘Theme From Q’ is no ordinary club banger. Its masterful combination of swollen bass, warped breaks, and a synth hook more catchy than that Friday feeling has raised Objekt’s profile across all corners of the dance world. “I was pretty surprised by how far it went in terms of crossing over into different scenes,” he says. While previous releases have been favourites of bass and techno DJs such as the Hessle Audio trio, Loefah and Surgeon, everyone from Ricardo Villalobos and Seth Troxler to Laidback Luke has drawn for the B-side cut from ‘Objekt #4’ at recent gigs. The success of this release was his crowning achievement, but 2017 has been a big year for a number of reasons. Hertz permanently quit his day job as a developer for Native Instruments to focus on music full-time. “I loved that job, but it got to the point where I was spreading myself too thin,” he says. One effect has been more time to dig, allowing broader-ranging sets in his increasingly busy and far-reaching gig calendar, giving him “a sense of versatility and readiness to approach different kinds of events with excitement rather than trepidation.” High-profile European dates, two US tours, and bookings across countries such as Taiwan, Lebanon and the Philippines have ranged from “serious, proper club shows” to “super DIY parties for like 20 people on a folding table.” Across the board, crowds have lost themselves in his expansive sets that are prone to rapid tempo shifts care of technical wizardry, combining records with artfully curated USB folders called things like ‘Floaty Rollers’. Although Objekt takes his DJing seriously there’s no pretension to his sets, moving dancefloors being the ultimate goal. In August, dipping into the playlist he’d made for close friend Call Super’s wedding led him to treat a Berghain crowd to Armand van Helden’s ‘You Don’t Know Me’. Playing together regularly, the duo are liable to push each other into all-out party territory as well as exploring deeper, more headsy material. They’ve shared some massive moments this year, such as dropping Sonique’s trance anthem ‘It Feels So Good’ while co-headlining Dekmantel’s Selectors stage. “That definitely turned a few heads,” says Hertz. The way his trajectory is going, expect more heads to follow suit. This feature is taken from the January issue of Mixmag Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Staff Writer, follow him on Twitter	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24913
__label__cc	0.70648	0.29352	← #110 Reading Constitution by Nick Webb #112 Reading The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman → #111 Wondering what could be the worst thing that could happen after Brexit. Posted on November 9, 2019 by M J Dees The whole Brexit debate has already polarised the country but while I’ve been writing my dystopian prequel to WHEN THE WELL RUNS DRY, I’ve been wondering about what’s the worse thing that could happen, how bad could it get? Regardless of who wins the General Election on December 12th, we could be in for a rough ride. If Labour wins and organises a second referendum we could see a rash of right wing riots which have already been promised by Boris Johnson in a remark reminiscent of the National Socialists in Germany in the 1930s. Corbyn himself was in favour of leaving the EU and there is no guarantee that the peoples vote would not end in the same result, with the UK leaving the EU, albeit perhaps within the customs union. The negative effect on the UK economy, combined with excessive divorce payments to the EU could see widespread disatisfaction with whatever government is in power. If you combine this with fake news campaigns promoted by foreign powers, the increasing number of refugees that will inevitably attempt to enter the country, the increasing failure of infrastructure to deal with the demands of climate change and the rising costs of the effects of climate change and a potentially volatile situation could develop. We also might see Svotland demand devolution and regions like the north demanding not just a manifesto but their own assemblies. Could we see a complete break up of the union with Northern Ireland ceded to avoid being the wrong side of the border and igniting further troubles Could that be the last nail in the coffin for the monarchy? Both of the major parties have promised huge spending programmes. The Conservative plans don’t return the UK to pre 2010 levels and both parties ignore the national defecit which apparently doesn’t matter any more. Labour plans to use a method is measuring investment which has never been used in a major economy. Let’s take the pessimistic view of the possible outcomes. Widespread discontentment leaves the path open for the right wing to promise a return to a golden era which never really existed. We have seen this already in the first Brexit votes and in the presidential elections in the US and Brazil where nationalism is thinly disquised as patriotism and used as an excuse to implement right wing policies. The population can so easily be manipulated as was cleverly demonstrated in the Netflix documentary, The Great Hack. And with social media giants so far refusing to apply their fact checking software to political ads or to ban micro targetted political ads altogether, the stage is set for more election interference. And why are so many leading politicians so eager to leave the EU so quickly? I would recomend watching the film, The Laundromat, also on Netflix, in which a stella cast explains the system of tax avoidance. The EU intends to implement tighter laws which would prevent the rich from using offshore shell companies to avoid paying tax. So it should come as no surprise then that leading Brexit campaigner and CEO of fracking company Ineos is planning to live in Monaco to avoid paying £4bn in tax in the UK which could be used for hospitals, schools, public transport and policing. Why to we listen to people that only have the good their own pockets in mind, rather than the good of the country. Make sure you vote on December 12th and vote for the good of the country not the good of the rich. This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged brexit, cambridge analytica, conservatives, devolution, Facebook, general election, Google, labour, northern ireland, tax avoidance, the great hack, the laundromat. Bookmark the permalink.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0097.json.gz/line24914
__label__cc	0.659047	0.340953	Bread and Roses TV Not that kind of atheist Posted by Maryam Namazie It seems the wonderful PZ Myers considers me a ‘Humanist’ Atheist. In his blog entitled ‘what kind of atheist are you?’ he says my type of atheist has the following strengths and weaknesses: Strengths: This is the heart of an atheist movement that will endure and grow. Ignore it and we can expect atheism to fade away. Weaknesses: Pragmatically fickle. If the atheist movement does not address human concerns, they’ll leave and follow institutions that do. Why be an atheist if an inclusive, progressive church were to do a better job? Why be an atheist if we neglect the concerns of women or minorities, or belittle civil rights? As an aside, the very thought of being labelled a humanist and pragmatist gives me the shivers. I despise pragmatism, and though I have no problems per se with being called a humanist, I feel increasingly uncomfortable with the label given the fact that pragmatism – and not principle – is such a large part of mainstream Humanism. As I’ve said in my recent speech at the fifth anniversary of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, pragmatism doesn’t change the world – it maintains the status quo. And we so desperately need to change it. There is an assumption in the Humanist Atheist label that people like me are in the atheist movement for support and if we don’t get it we will go elsewhere. Even a church (gasp, shudder)!? The reality is that we don’t have the support we deserve but we’re still here. This is because we ex-Muslims have a stake in the atheist movement just as much as anyone else. We’re not outsiders. I am an atheist not because the atheist movement cares about rights (it doesn’t) or has been overly supportive (which it hasn’t) but because I despise religion and Islam. I have become an atheist – not because it’s pragmatic – but as a result of my battles against the Islamic Republic of Iran and Islamism. The Islamic regime of Iran recently wrote a piece on me called ‘Get to know this anti-religion woman’. If I had to say what type of atheist I am, I’d say a militant atheist. Strengths: We need militancy in the face of religious barbarity. Can we please stop tiptoeing around, appeasing, and tolerating religion? Weaknesses: None. There are enough people compromising on all our behalves, thank you very much. UPDATE: PZ has made an important correction! (Link via Chris Roche) Love to Jog It looks like Goldy the troll is back! Re-Enlightenment I'm really not into the whole humanist thing. I heard someone say a while ago it’s just a polite way of saying you're an atheist, and I agree with that. It also – deliberately or not – taps into people’s automatic reluctance to mock or criticise a belief system. Tell someone you’re off to an atheism or secularism event and they raise their eyebrows; tell them you’re off to a humanism event though and they’re more likely to say, “ooh, that sounds interesting. So tell me, what do humanists believe?” Humanism benefits to a certain extent from the pathetic deference paid to religion and the religious. When was the last time you heard the phrase militant/aggressive/intolerant humanism? Amazingly, I have even blogged about some of this: http://enlightenmentlover.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/for-atheists-who-dislike-the-word-atheist/ What Umberto is parroting is an oft-heard lie. "If religion can't be involved in politics that means atheism will prevail by force". No it doesn't. It just means the state will be NEUTRAL on matters of conscience. Prior to the Red Scare the pledge of allegiance didn't say this is a nation without God, it just stayed out of the debate, and it should be. By the way Upright Ape, have I told you I love you for all your comments? LOL You know what Mohammad ibn Abdullah and Lenin had in common troll? They both wanted the "apostates" dead before they took power, and put them to death once they grabbed power. And Lenin was an atheist! A pretty Militant one at that. Anyone who is a Communist today is a moron. I don't think many atheists like being linked with Communism, even if Maryam brags about here Commie affiliations. But she thinks Lenin wasn't a "real" Communist. snicker And prophet of Islam was not a real Muslim either. I agree with that. Another way of phrasing it would be: Why be a member of an atheist movement which runs away from all hard fights? And, yes, that was directly in reference to Myers. Anyway. I was trained by the greatest anti-Theist that ever lived, so I don't know where I fall in those boxes. My first thought on reading PZ’s categorisation of atheists was that it was a pretty effective rebuttal of claims from some quarters that he basically wanted all atheists to be just like him. Yes, Myers posits a firm spectrum of beliefs all the way from A to B. Please get real. With the exception of the sterling work done by Namazie and Taslima, ftb is a uniform as a regiment. Goldstein's Pal Taslima has called for the elimination of religion. How about the rest of you? StevoR Some of us think religion is the product of an elimination. Its a medical term, look it up. Others have called for Taslima to be eliminated - murdered for being who she is and thinking and speaking out. By the way, who is the greated "anti theist who every lived" in your opinion? (Anti Theism and Uncompromising Militant Atheism are a call for the elimination of religion. Noble sentiments to the contrary are just some much BS.) Really? Citations needed. I want religion to be : 1) A matter of personal individual choice and not forced on people by childhood brain-washing, accident of birth and social and political pressures or forced down people's throats when they don't want it. 2) Kept far away from the political power, kept even further from science classrooms and taxed along with all other non-charities. (No religion ain't charity. Or not-for-profit.) Also not exempt from laws such as anti-discrimination and anti-pedophilia laws. 3) Exposed to proper scrutiny and questioning and ridicule where appropriate. If we have these three things then I'd be very happy and I don't think anyone is calling for worldwide atheism being imposed at swordpoint. Unlike, say, religions which do want just that. If you want to say the religious can't be involved in politics, then you ARE saying that atheism will be imposed at "swordpoint". I didn't say religious can't be involved in politics. Secularism is the separation of religion from the state, education and justice system not banning religious political parties! Secularism and atheism are not the same, and on and on. I wish I could record myself repeating the same thing over and over again for those who can't bother to read anything I write but want to comment nonetheless. In the United States if you are going to have separation of Church and State then you can't tax Churches. "The power to tax is the power to destroy". That and Keeping Religion "out of politics" would leave the religious with no redress. Which is of course what you really want and have basically just come out an admitted. Really Umberto? The power to tax is the power to destroy? But Jesus said give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, so Jesus didn't agree with you. And separation of church and state is in the constitution while tax exemption for churches is not. KiwiInOz This is why I never call myself an atheist. I am atheist. I have a range of personal, social, and environmental values that are unrelated to my disbelief in gods. That was an illuminating way of phrasing it. I concur. Also, I hate threaded comments. davidb Oh, and I've just looked at Pharyngula to see PZ's response. Which I think fair enough. David B My first thought on reading PZ's categorisation of atheists was that it was a pretty effective rebuttal of claims from some quarters that he basically wanted all atheists to be just like him. And valuable for that. I have also, on occasion, described myself as a militant atheist. Though I usually try, in my now pretty long discussion board history, to try to respect the person I am arguing against, if not their beliefs, and engage them in conversation under the presumption that beliefs can change. Which sometimes they do - a significant number of my internet friends and allies were fundamentalist Christians at some point in their lives, sometimes decades of their lives. Sometimes, though, in the course of discussion, respect for the person is lost. Thinking about it now, though, I'm prepared to adopt an agreement to differ with what I might term secular religious people, that is to say those who don't seek to impose by law, or by violence, their religious views on dissenters. As regards to those who do wish to impose their views by force of law or violence, though, be they Christian, Muslim or whatever, then staunch opposition seems to me the only stance to take. In this day and age, while there are Christians who do wish to impose their views, it seems more prevalent in political Islam. And, as such, opposition seems to be the only stance as a secularist, leave alone as an atheist, and I regard myself as both. David B alanflynn I welcome the points raised by @Nathair with regard to the use of the term 'militant', by @Goldstein's Pal on the barbarity unleashed by Communists (no doubt people who believed they were doing 'good' for humanity, in liquidating millions of undesirables - however so defined) & by @vel in defence of pragmatism. Obviously there is a point at which pragmatism can morph into a complete sell-out, but I take a sharp intake of breath when Maryam speaks of despising pragmatism. It speaks to me of a mentality of opposition to any compromise, of absolute certainty that one is right on all issues, of intolerance of any difference of outlook. History is replete with examples of how organisations, sometimes formed by genuinely oppressed people - be they religious or secular - have unleashed hell on earth in their zeal for the absolute certainty of their own convictions. As a Communist, Maryam cannot but be aware of the monstrous barbarity committed throughout the twentieth century & beyond by proponents of this ideology. Humane Communists as well as humane Muslims will say that Stalinist & Islamist tyrannies are a vile distortion of Marxism & Islam, but what both types of regimes have in common is the wielding of absolute power through the elimination of opposition motivated by the conviction of their own rectitude. Dare I say a little humility is called for and a constant mindfulness of Orwell’s message in 1984. "Orwell's message" ... erm ... I really meant Animal Farm, palm red face I don't see what is wrong with "militant". It just means we're pissed off and are not going to take it anymore. The expression I like the best is from Natalie Angier, science writer for the NY Times. She said, "I am a radical die-hard atheist." BTW, you should look up her writing and her appearances on youtube. Maryam, if you had the political power, would you forcibly eliminate religion? (Assuming that the arguments of the atheists failed to convince a majority of believers to give it up?) We don't need to. Once you give people the basic things they go to church or mosque for (like food and shelter), they abandon religion. As simple as that. It didn't even take anti-religion arguments to secularize the once religious Natherlands, France, and Scandinavia. All it took was to end the monopoly of churches in providing the material necessities of people. You say "We don't need to." But would you if you did "need to"? And is Marayam afraid to answer the question? Hm...I have never said a word in favor of violence, so the answer is no.. And if you have Maryam on record doing so, let's hear it out, rather than pretend her not answerig you has any reason other than your being a troll unworthy of her time. In the meantime you can do yourself a favor and educate yourself on the topic of communism that you are so obsessed with but no nothing about. How did you guess? I haven't replied because I am afraid to!? Seriously? You've got the classic afflication of 'whataboutery'. What about this and what about that? I think it's most likely because you have a affinity with Islamism and religion and so rather than argue your case, you bring up other issues that are even often not directly related. Answer this: what do you say about Islamism and its killings? Defend it; defend religion even. It would be more honest of you. I really don't where to start with your comments. Hitler was a Christian but we don't say Christianity was the cause of the holocaust - fascism was. Stalin may have been an atheist but he was a tyrant dictator who killed countless people. I have never supported any killing. I don't even agree with the death penalty for Islamists. I find the killing of even one person abhorrent. My question is do you? Your problem is that you lack the means to defend your position so you hide behind accusations. Try defending your position or is it so indefensible that even you know it? That communist party you are a member of has a very bad record. So ANSWER THE QUESTION. Would you eliminate religion if you had the power? I am a member of the Worker-communist Party of Iran which has a brilliant record. It criticised the Soviet Union and all the sham communisms that were really state capitalist. I have also responded to your questions though it doesn't stop you from repeating yourself. I know that you are an Islamist trying to take away attention from issues I am raising. Whilst I won't ban you, I am limiting your entries to one per day. I will moderate them, copy them as they are with no changes and paste them all in one comment at the end of each day. You have gone over your quota today so I'll post one comment of yours again tomorrow. Now maybe you can go and compare notes with your Islamist buddies until tomorrow. And don't pretend that Stalin was just some thug who just happened to get power and mess up a great little system p...you are ignoring Lenin, Trotsky and their thousands of agents who quite willingly and gleefully arranged for the elimination of believers. The Nobel Prize Winner Alexander Solzhenitsyn exposed it all in a Three Volume Series, The Gulag Archipelago. And that has been the record of virtually every Communist Party that actually had the power to act. You would have more credibility if you weren't an adherent to that Bankrupt Philosophy. Aha! So they weren't "REAL" communists! But seriously, not many atheists like being linked with Communism. Marx's communist manifesto isn't the basis of what Stalin did, whereas the Koran and Bible are for the Islamic or Spanish inquisition. Just because the US bombs Iraq in the name of freedom doesn't mean that freedom should get a bad wrap for it. If you can prove that the communist manifesto is bad for the liberation of human beings, or that the Paris Commune was horrid, then maybe there is a basis for an argument. Maryam, I welcome the fact that your Party denounced the Soviet & Chinese regimes, but I do think that every individual or Party, which identifies itself as Communist cannot simply regard the colossal repression perpetrated by the Communist regimes which have come to power across the world, as having no basis whatsoever in the writings of Marx - and a fortiori the Leninist application of Marx. I am always struck by the prescience of Mikhail Bakunin who foresaw the despotism inherent in Communist rule: "former workers, who, as soon as they become governors ... cease to be workers and start looking down on the working classes from the heights of state authority, so that they represent not the people but themselves & their own claim to rule over others". This is from a much longer passage from Statism & Anarchy written in 1873, 1873!!! To my knowledge, every CP which has come to power across the world, has 'looked down on the workers', as Bakunin predicted they would, every one has trampled over freedom of speech & conscience & exerted a dictatorship which has crushed the human spirit. I am no authority on Marx, but I think that the very least that can be said of him, is that he did not give anything like sufficient emphasis to the absolute primacy of democracy: free elections, freedom of expression and conscience. Very few Marxists recognised in 1917, the nightmare of dictatorship that was set in place by Lenin & that has been emulated by every Marxist regime since then. What of the Worker-communist Party of Iran, Maryam? You are on the Central Committee - is the WPI absolutely & unequivocally committed to political pluralism, free elections, freedom of expression, and freedom of conscience in a post-Islamist Iran? Having looked in the back-end, I see that Umberto, Goldstein’s Pal, Skeptical Skeptic, and Jamie are all the same person so I am banning him as of now. I don’t mind people saying whatever nonsense they want and I haven’t banned anyone yet. I am even willing to moderate the comments of trolls by posting only one a day so that they get their say as a policy but am not going to allow someone using different emails and names to dupe people into thinking they are different people. It’s dishonest. If you want to debate on issues raised on my blog, feel free to do so. However, the least that should be expected is that you are honest in your opinions however disgusting or wonderful they may be. Is he even an Islamist? Sounds more like probably anti-religion and I suspect that he doesn't like islamism any more than you, but sees temporarily putting up with it as a lesser evil. Still a pretty trolly troll. machintelligence I think militant atheist fits rather nicely along side militant agnostic. Common phrase: I don't know and you don't know either! RhubarbTheBear Weaknesses: An inability to see or acknowledge weaknesses. An implied arrogance that, since other types of atheism admit their weaknesses, they must be inferior. You said it pretty much. Or, Weakness: An attitude that compromises are always bad, even if they serve the cause more in the long run, that can lead to bad descisions and possible collateral damage to other forms of atheism. Not to say it;s an unacceptable weakness; PZ has his weaknesses and Maryam Namazie has hers. However, it's still a weakness that one has to accept and deal with A Hermit I'm happy to be called a humanist, and even pragmatic to an extent, but then I've had it easy... I have the luxury of being able to compromise with the religion of my childhood; a liberal minded, pacifist form of Christianity where the worst punishment for apostasy is "Shunning"...and even that isn't practiced much anymore. When I see my still-religious relatives we can all just ignore the little difference in opinion about the existence of God and get on with a nice dinner; we agree about almost everything else like women's rights and gay rights. The worst repercussion I can expect is a disappointed look from my father. You don't have that luxury, and clearly there can be no compromise with what you quite rightly describe as barbarism. Given where you are coming from I think a militant response is probably the only appropriate approach. I hope that I would have your courage if I were in your shoes; but I'm honestly not sure a lot of us would. For what it's worth (and I know it's not much) you have my support, my admiration and my gratitude, for reminding that I mustn't be wishy-washy, or become so enamored of pragmatism that I forget about principle. Peter Ferguson In what way is atheism not about rights? Almost every atheist group is concerned with just that, whether it is gay rights, women's rights, religious rights, civil rights etc., almost every group I have come into contact is involved in some form of rights' issue. chrisdevries I would say that this is a relatively recent development. The outspoken, public atheism, up until four or five years ago was white, male, middle-aged and straight. Now, it's far more diverse, and seeks to challenge a whole host of inequities and inequalities that plague modern society. Ed Brayton, PZ Myers and the Skepchicks deserve a hell of a lot of credit for taking the necessary steps to show the rest of us just how valuable diversity in a progressive movement like ours is. The push-back we see really represents only a small minority of atheists who are surprised to find "their" movement "hijacked" by progressives. But the majority of atheists are introspective enough (based on shared character traits that led them to become atheists in the first place) that they can examine their society and the built-in power structures that define how people relate to each other, which, I think, explains how fast the evolution of the modern atheist is taking place. We have gone from a movement fighting against the damaging properties of organized religion to a movement fighting against all harmful irrational ideas. Pragmatism is the word politicians use when they're abandoning whatever principles they pretended to have I find that the claim "pragmatism doesn’t change the world – it maintains the status quo." to be nonsense. Pragmatism is based on what's practical and that is not always maintaining the status quo. Pragmatism is not being conservative no matter what. Now some people might want to redefine the word to mean some distorted limited definition, to claim some sort of superiority and "refinement", but I'm not interested in philosophical games of claiming some narrowly defined view is the only right one. I can be quite pragmatic aka practical and still see the need for religion to be removed, science to advance medicine, space flight, etc; for there to be art for the human mind, and morals to be considered. irenedelse (Cross-posted from PZ's blog) I wonder how humanists came to be associated with “wishy-washy” types? One can be radical on humanism/human rights principles! Or is it all about how the words are used nowadays in the English language? Rafiq Mahmood What really does it matter what we call ourselves as long as we act. This is a global war. A war without mercy. We must fight it with all effective means. We cannot afford not to be militant. To pussyfoot around means death and the extermination of everything good in our species. We have possibly never been at a more serious or critical time in human history. It's that bad. Gnumann, quisling of the MRA nation Like Rorscarch, I think the term "militant atheist" should be reserver for the day there's atheist guerilla groups (or at least untill you advocate such measures). I can understand you problem with the waffling behaviour of the typical self-styled humanist. Would the term "radical humanism" offend? The term "militancy" is problematic and ambiguous, which is why I don't like to see it in the context of fighting political Islam. We don't suggest bombing Iran or invading Pakistan in reply to atrocities committed there as a general rule, although I admit that it's sometimes difficult to stay emotionally neutral, for example when we hear news like the killing of a woman in Afghanistan in front of a cheering mob for "adultery" today. So I hope that "militant" refers to the fact that your opponents consider any form of dissent as such, and not to a proposed means to fight Islam. Among the categories in PZ's post, I thought "political atheist" could also describe what you and the CEMB are doing: "they are the ones who get the hard work done ... the lobbyist, the people at the cutting edge who make it their business to work every day with (and against) the opponents of atheism". But I wonder why PZ thinks "political atheists" are necessarily "infuriatingly willing to compromise"? As you and others show, one can be an activist and stay on the cutting edge, working to make the perceived "extreme" position (e.g. promoting apostasy) not so extreme any more, and thus safe for anyone who wants to become an atheist too! Although what I like in this post (and the comments below in the thread) is the awareness that individual people can be atheists for more than one reason. One can both hold humanistic values AND work on the political end of things. Or at least, that's how I see things, as a matter of aims and tactics. It doesn't really make any sense to call yourself a 'militant atheist'. Atheism is simply a position on theistic claims. If you were militant about it that would suggest you are looking to convert people to Atheism or you are fighting for Atheism as an idea or something of that nature. That doesn't really make sense to me. The fight would seem to be against the harm that comes with religion and it's dogma. This doesn't really have anything to do with atheism. Atheism can't be militant. It just is what is it, a position on theistic claims. Maybe militant anti-theist would be better. However, that would seem to suggest you are militant against all forms of theism. Well of course I am also fighting to get people to become atheists. The Council of Ex-Muslims does just that - calls on people to become atheist ex-Muslims and apostates. When religion in political power kills you for leaving Islam, then it become a form of resistance to leave and call on others to do so to. Atheism is a very positive response to religion. What's wrong with calling people to think for themselves and to disregard dogma and superstition? By the way, I am also a militant secularist, women's rights activist, leftist and so on though there are many wishy washy versions around too. Being militant actually makes a whole lot of sense to me and should to anyone who is serious about fighting religious dogma. Catwhisperer Quick Merriam-Webster gives the following synonyms for militant: Aggressive, agonistic, argumentative, assaultive, bellicose, brawly, chippy, combative, confrontational, contentious, discordant, disputatious, feisty, gladiatorial, belligerent, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, warlike. Sounds appropriate to me. If you want a word that sounds less... aggressive maybe, you could say "outspoken atheist", which implies that you don't just shrug at religious nonsense and ignore it, but actually speak up about it. Still, I prefer "militant". How about "activist"? Thanks but no thanks. I prefer militant any day and am reclaiming it from all those who think it is negative because they prefer to cozy up to religion and keep things as it is - with just a larger share of the pie regardless of how rotten the pie is... It's a political perspective just as militancy is. Nathair I think it is negative but not, as you assert, because I want to cozy up to religion. Militant is enormously, flagrantly open to equivocation. Yes, it means "vigorously active" but it also means "engaged in warfare". It instantly opens up false equivalence with militant Islam and the tactics of actual, rather than rhetorical, violence. Why would we want to adopt a description that invites equivocation and misrepresentation? Why would we intentionally label ourselves in such a way that many, many people will automatically misunderstand and honestly interpret in the most negative light? Should we also "reclaim" the word faith and start talking about how we have faith in science? We're supposed to be rational, why walk right into the punch? Of course there is nothing wrong with wanting people to think for themselves but does it really make sense to be "militant" against all buddhists, christians, muslims etc who in fact do agree with you on secularism, womens rights etc? Being a "militant secularist" is totally different. I think that's great term for someone fighting for secularism and I salute you for it. I agree that people are far to wishy washy on these issues. However, for me this not about atheism. I'd rather have a deluded Christian who believes in secularism, womens rights than an atheist who doesn't believe in those things. These are different battles. We are not one dimensional creatures. Yes I want secularism and work with religious people even to promote secularism. But I also promote women's rights, socialism, equality... And atheism - apostasy is punishable by death in this day and age. And there are people who are British born who are afraid to say they are atheists. Do you not see then why it is also important to promote atheism? Militant doesn't necessarily mean by using violence; it can mean being uncompromising too. Militant Islam is the name given by those who are in love with Islamism because they see it as a form of anti-imperialist resistance and not as it is - a far-right regressive movement. "And there are people who are British born who are afraid to say they are atheists. Do you not see then why it is also important to promote atheism" No I don't. These are two completely different things you have put together. Atheism is a position. Promoting a position is not the same as defending someones right to hold a position and to hold it / voice it without fear. I promote and would defend anyones right to be an atheist, buddhist or whatever else without fear. This not the same as promoting buddhism or atheism. And I don't believe you. You are not just an atheist...you are a an active Communist, and their record is one of banning religion when they have the power. So answer the question...if you HAD THE POWER (which you don't) would you eliminate religion by force if necessary? Oh, and keep in mind that Maryam has already admitted that she is an "uncompromisint" Militant Atheist. Would she use the power if she had it? Maryam, if you had the political power, would your forcibly eliminate religion? See your response below. Goldstein's Pal: You're an absolute idiot. Just because I am opposed to religion in political power and even see religion itself as superstition and ignorance, doesn't mean I want to ban it. You can't ban ideas however ludicrous. I defend freedom of thought and expression even for the vile far-Right. But you know that already. I don't beleive you, because you are not just an atheist but an active Communist. In every country where they had the power they have tried to eliminate religion. You have already admitted you are an "compromising" Militant Atheist. You seriously expect people to be stupid enough to believe you would not use the power if you had it? Gimme a break. For now, you are the one hell bent on silencing all voices you disagree with. Maryam, your Militant Atheism fits right in with your being a Communist. Reminds me of Lenin and Trotsky and the manchinery they set in motion that killed Millions and Millions of believers. I appreciate your being up front about what you are. And thanks for the warning. Were there any human rights activists among those you needed to be warned against? I didn't think so. Also why are you so conveniently forgetting the non-believing socialists and evolutionary biologists among the vicitims? Ever heard of Nikolai Vavilov, who was killed by Stalin for being an evolutionist? Or fellow communists Zinoviev and Kamenev? Maybe this is the warning you need: a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. And you simply ignore the MILLIONS of believers killed by the atheists. Apparently your sympathies are with the perpetrators. You are going to lose, though, because this time people will be ready. Lol. "People will ve ready". For what? A soft spoken Dawkins educating them on biology, for which he would have been sent to the gulag under Stalin like Nikolai Vavilov? And it is not like the Russian Orthodox Church was blame free. It had been the closest ally of the murderous, autocratic Tsarist regime for centuries. Maryam is not just a "soft spoken Dawkins" type. She is an active member of the Communist Party, and you know what they have done every time they had the political power. I don't care about their noble phrases; don't forget what Lenin, Trotsky, Mao and thousands of others in leadership positions did when they had the chance. They talked equality while they prepared for domination. Poor you. If only Joseph McCarthy was around to help you in your mission. Loren Petrich It was rejection of Lysenkoite heredity that Nikolai Vavilov got in trouble with. Trofim Lysenko was a plant breeder and a quack geneticist who claimed that he could do a much better job than the Mendelist Weismannist Morganist idealists who believed in genes. He got the favor of Communist Party officials, including Joseph Stalin himself, and his opponents were gradually deposed, being made to recant their "heresies", being sent to gulags, or executed. Trofim Lysenko himself had the competence of a crackpot. He claimed that statistical testing was a waste of time, and visiting biologists reported that discussing biology with him was like discussing calculus with someone who did not know simple arithmetic. Heredity? He claimed that his treatments would change crop plants' heredity in appropriate ways, and he denied the existence of genes. He revived pangenesis, an old theory that all parts of an organism contribute to its heredity. They didn't kill people according to some tenet of communism. They did it because they were thugs and killing people was the quickest way to consolidate power. Today, as in days gone by, the thugs are religious and they still kill people because that's the quickest way to consolidate power. Nice false comparision. Most modern comunists suck. And are less violent. Also, nice job ignoring Stalin, who was the one actually responsible Leave a Reply to Umberto Cancel reply Secularism, faith and the women’s movement workshop at the Women’s Liberation 2020 Conference TedX Warwick Creativity within Crisis No Longer Without You: Film, Poetry and Discussion on Apostasy, Shunning & Survival Tag der Apostasie, Zurich March 21 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm “On The Side Of Those Who Fight For Freedom” حجاب: جلوگیری از تحمیل عرف The hijab: “preventing common impositions” Defend Protests in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon Does religion have a privileged status in the UK? 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