You Can't Silence Terror
Posted on September 22, 2014 by paulas in Terrorism // 0 Comments
I read an article today on Arutz Sheva that made me remember two incidents – neither made the news, despite my writing an article about one and sending it to several top level Israel News outlets. The article today was titled, Jerusalem Mayor: Don't Talk So Much about Terrorism. The first incident that I attempted to publicize happened on July 27th as I was riding the light rail on my way home from work. The second happened last week when I was with my youngest son.
My article: Attempted Terror Attack on Jerusalem Light Rail appeared on my blog on July 27th and I shared it on two sites – no one else picked it up. One Jewish site told me they were "saving it" for the next major attack. I reported the tear gas incident in the City Pass offices and demanded to know why the driver never stopped, never explained. They said they were aware of it; that others had reported it, and the would "look into it."
I think, after reading Mayor Barkat's words, I understand. If you can't beat terrorism, apparently the city of Jerusalem has chosen denial. The claim that the trains are safe fall short – not because they aren't safe but because these acts are still wrong, still crimes. There is no connection between the level of injury and the magnitude of the wrong here. Just because a missile doesn't hit a school doesn't mean it is acceptable that it was fired at Israel; just because "only" one person was killed in an attack, doesn't mean it wasn't terrorism and yes, just because no one was injured, doesn't mean we should accept what is being done to the light rail.
No, I do not want to surrender the train – but there are other options – like rerouting the train from the places where they are regularly stoned. Two simple notes need to be posted:
Dear Shuafat, we have decided to take the fact that dozens of attacks against the train have taken place in your area to mean you don't want the train so we've rerouted it. Have a nice day.
Dear Sha'ar Shechem, yeah, you too.
When a rock hit the train that I was on last week, it was clear to all that other than perhaps another cracked window (and honestly, there are so many windows cracked, who can tell if something just happened or was like that before?) that no one was hurt and there was no danger. This was NOT the case when tear gas was dropped by an Arab at Sha'ar Shechem (Damascus Gate) two months ago. This incident is described below. If it was not a terror attack, it certainly was an attempted one.
My answer to Nir Barkat is simple – instead of downplaying these attacks, publish them far and wide and then announce that we have instituted a new line:
Line 1 will go from Har Herzl to Ammunition Hill and then continue through Shuafat and on to Pisgat Ze'ev (the current route). Each time the train is stoned, service will be stopped for 24 hours on this line.
Line 2 (which should be built immediately) will go from Har Herzl to Ammunition Hill and then…build a new route to Pisgat Ze'ev that goes over a bridge, through a tunnel, between two walls…whatever it takes to get it there safely. It will not stop in Shuafat; it will not be stoned in Beit Hanina. Fix the windows on this Line 2; do not fix the trains that are stoned in Shuafat – more…each time the train is hit, paint a huge circle around each hit!
And the next time they burn the tracks down and ransack the train station – don't rebuild it unless contributions come from the very neighborhood where the train was destroyed.
In the meantime, I, for one, refuse to be silent. My train was stoned last week and attacked with tear gas two months ago. This is what I wrote that day…shortly after I got home. Within a short time, my throat began to bother me. My two older sons have both been in the army and part of their training was being subjected to tear gas. I have never known what this felt like or the symptoms and yet, as I described what I was feeling over the several hours following the attack and in the early hours of the next day, my son told me each was a sign of tear gas.
Attempted Terror Attack on Jerusalem Light Rail (July 27, 2014)
Of all the things I have never wanted to do or see, a terror attack is quite high on the list.
At approximately 4:30 p.m. today, I was riding on the second car of the Jerusalem light rail train, heading towards Ammunition Hill (Givat HaTachmoshet). As it arrived at Damascus Gate, as far as I know, the only stop where guards are required to wear bullet-proof vests, passengers got off and on, and then suddenly there was a loud disturbance in the back of the rail car in which I was riding.
Everyone starting running forward, a few people were yelling. The doors at the front had already closed. As I looked to the rear, I saw a small cloud of smoke and heard noise coming from outside. Just to the side of the train station platform, I saw very little other than what looked like an attempt by several people to converge on something or someone while there was more yelling both outside and in the train.
The doors to the train closed. People were trying to understand what was happening. Those that had been in the back explained that an Arab had pulled out tear gas and started spraying it and then, as the doors were about to close and people were trying to get away, he ran out onto the platform and presumably beyond.
People attempted to hail the driver, who it seems ignored all signals of distress. A slight amount of the tear gas drifted forward enough to give a slight feeling of it in the air. The train moved to the next stop where many people got out. Someone hailed security. They came into the train and made everyone go to the first car. I can only hope they checked the train before it began to move.
The next stop was the same, and then we arrived at Ammunition Hill where the train was checked again.
The reaction of the people on the train was a combination of anger and shock. As terror attacks go, it was, I know, a minor event. It could have been so much worse – in fact, it is in and of itself a gift and a miracle that it wasn't worse. It could have been a bomb – there was no security person on the train with us and we were, for all intents and purposes, prisoners within a rail car that was shut down with a threat inside the car.
Life is full of what could have been and it helps to focus on what was. What was, was an act of hate intended to harm, if not permanently, than at least to cause discomfort. No one would allow us to say that Arabs cannot ride the light rail – they would accuse us of apartheid behavior and so, each day, tens of thousands of Arabs go on the light rail to get to work, to school, to shop, and for medical appointments at some of the finest hospitals in the Middle East.
Many Arabs abused that privilege when they attacked the light rail stations in their neighborhoods, burning down the stations and ticketing machines, defacing the structures with graffiti that read "Death to Israel; Death to the Jews." For weeks, they have been stoning the train – so many of the windows on these clean and relatively new rail cars are shattered. The train bears these marks with stoic dignity as it travels along the route planned by some stupid city planner who forgot to take into account violence and security requirements.
And today, about 40 people were subjected to an attempted terror attack…or perhaps it was like the rockets they fire at us just a minute ago, an hour ago, and throughout this day and the last 20 days. I have always said, just because the rocket misses, doesn't mean it isn't a terror attack.
Just because a few of us probably have scratchy throats, and a few people complained of burning eyes rather than more serious injuries, doesn't mean it wasn't a terror attack.


Back To the Classics Challenge 2022: The Winner!
Congratulations to Joseph at The Once Lost Wanderer!
Joseph won a $30 gift card so he can get even more books to read in 2022! Many thanks and congratulations to everyone who participated in this challenge -- 69 people signed up, and 24 people completed the challenge. And a special mention of Flicker who completed her entire list with Japanese books in translation; and also to Major Yammerton who completed the challenge and did a second round!
We're all winners because we got to share the joy of books and each one of us crossed some classic books off our to-read lists!. I hope everyone enjoyed all the new books and authors they discovered.
As some of you may have guessed, I'm taking a break from blogging right now and so I'm going to take this year off from reading challenges, including my own. Lately I've felt like challenges and goals are too much pressure and are taking some of the fun out of my reading, so it's time to take a break and just read for pleasure. Hopefully this will inspire me, and by the end of the year I can plan for another Back to the Classics Challenge in 2024.
Thanks again to everyone for participating and I hope you find plenty of joy in your reading in 2023. Happy reading everyone!
Labels: Back to the Classics 2022
Ruth @ with freedom and books January 23, 2023 at 1:02 PM
Thanks for hosting this inspirational reading challenge. I didn't participate in 2022, but I enjoyed the years I did. Take advantage of your rest period; I am sure it will be rejuvenated again.
Congratulations, Joseph!!
goldmoon January 23, 2023 at 4:45 PM
Thanks for hosting this challenge. I love it. I'm sorry to hear that there won't be in 2023 but I understand that sometimes it's time for a break. I hope you'll be back in 2024! <3
reese January 24, 2023 at 12:28 AM
Thanks again for hosting and hope you enjoy your break (and that it is just a break)!
Kathy's Corner January 24, 2023 at 2:41 PM
Thanks so much Karen for hosting the Classics Challenge these past few years and I hope you enjoy your break in 2023. I have all these wonderful classics I read in the past five years: Frankenstein, Their Eyes Were Watching God, New Grub Street, The Decameron etc etc and I would never have read them without the Classics Challenge giving me the prompts and the push I needed.
Lark January 24, 2023 at 5:34 PM
This reading challenge over the years has been so fun, and it's encouraged me to read so many more classics that I otherwise would have...so THANK YOU! I hope you enjoy your blogging break and that you find many wonderful books to read this upcoming year. :D
Flicker January 24, 2023 at 7:08 PM
Congrats, Joseph! I've enjoyed reading your reviews. And Karen, thank you so much for hosting the Challenge. I think a break is a great idea, but I selfishly hope it will only be one year. I've participated in the Challenge officially for three years (and unofficially for one year before that) and during that time I've read the most amazing books, almost none of which I would have read if I hadn't done the Challenge. This year I'm going to focus on reading books off my shelves, which should be interesting too, but nothing like the last few years. Thanks again!
Fanda Classiclit January 24, 2023 at 10:45 PM
Karen, thank you for hosting this reading challenge. I know, sometimes it can be a burden, while at other times we might enjoy it. For now, enjoy your much deserved break, and have fun!
And congratulations, Joseph!
Carmen January 25, 2023 at 10:21 AM
Congrats to Joseph! I'm sad that the year I'm finally reading again you're taking a break BUT it is most understandable. Take your time, and I hope to see you again for another challenge some year <3
Tarissa January 25, 2023 at 5:06 PM
Wishing you a beautiful 2023! Enjoy it.
Congratulations to Joseph!
Thank you Karen for hosting the challenge over the years. *bows* and thanks everyone for playing along and for the congrats.


The Changing Scenario of Indian Agriculture
Pronami Chetia Updated 16 July, 2019 1:02 PM IST
India, since the mid-1990s, is one of the fastest growing G20 economies, reflecting an ambitious and successful reform agenda launched in 2014. It has developed as a major exporter of several agricultural commodities, diversifying production towards high-value pulses, fruits, vegetables, and livestock and agri products.
While the sector is growing rapidly but still many smallholders and grass root people have not been able to grab the opportunities opening up to them; they are still fighting with low productivity, an under-developed food processing, and retail sector, and water and land degradation. Moreover, India is still fighting with the same "triple challenges" as other countries: delivering safe and nutritious food to a growing population at affordable prices; providing a livelihood for farmers, and overcoming the severe climate and natural calamity pressures.
The new India has ensured different agricultural policies which are working for the well-being of both farmers and consumers. Around 80% of India's poor and farmers are living in rural areas. Hence, addressing widespread poverty and ensuring domestic food security are key objectives.
The Indian government has set ambitious objectives for the agriculture sector which includes doubling farmers' incomes by 2022. But the question is, how the Indian governments—center, and state can strengthen the productivity and sustainability of Indian agriculture, and provide lucrative opportunities for farm households.
Ashok Gulati, a renowned agricultural economist of India has recently written about farm policy developments which are giving so many important lessons. European Union (EU)'s policy reform experiences also provide some useful insights. Since the early 1990s, reforms to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), have involved a gradual reduction of market regulation and border protection and the introduction of compensatory direct payments to producers. The payments were originally based on cultivated area or animal numbers but emerged as increasingly independent from production. These payments are subsequently adapted to address the specific needs of certain categories of farmers or regions, and conditions for receiving payments were introduced to make sure the sustainable usage of the resource.
New payments have been granted to farmers for providing valued environmental services, such as preservation of biodiversity. Government has proposed and implemented so many new policies and schemes to help farmers and agriculture.
To reach the Sustainable Development Goals and fighting with the "triple challenge", we need new policy directions in India. India has already shown it has the capacity to achieve high levels of growth and poverty reduction; with the right policy incentives and implementation.
India's agriculture agriculture scenario Indian economy Changing scenario of agriculture sustainable development Development Goals agriculture policy GDP
Hey! I am Pronami Chetia. Did you liked this article and have suggestions to improve this article? Mail me your suggestions and feedback.
Advanced Profitable Mango Farming Techniques; Best Climate, Soil, Land for Mango Farming & How to Grow Mango Tree
How to Control the Pink Bollworm in Cotton Crop?


Oxford in New York City
Richard Smethurst
Two months ago I attended a dinner in New York City in honor of Richard Smethurst, [1] the retiring Provost of Oxford University's Worcester College.[2]
Richard and I were students together at Worcester, 1961-63, and studied together (or revised together, as they say at Oxford) for the final examinations (or Schools in Oxford parlance) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). Richard recalled that our economics tutor told us and the other PPE students at the College that when he "took Schools" he had answered the first four questions on the examination paper to show the examiners that he knew everything. Richards also remembered that I thought our tutor's suggestion was stupid or silly and instead said we should select the four questions out of the 12 to 15 on the paper for which we were best prepared.
Richard and I then embarked on our own revision together in the spring of 1963. In that effort I prepared the answer to a possible question on Public Finance that luckily turned up on the actual examination. Richard and I both answered that question, and we both received Firsts (the highest mark).
In New York I recounted this story in after-dinner comments to the group and joked that I was responsible for Richard's receiving a First.
Also at the dinner was Bill Bradley, the former basketball player and U.S. Senator, who was a Rhodes Scholar and PPE student at Worcester, 1965-68, and who had Smethurst as his economics tutor. [3] Bradley told the group that while he was in the Senate, Smethust spoke at a dinner in Washington, D.C. and said that Bradley was the best economics student he had ever had . . . who became a U.S. Senator. Left unsaid at the earlier dinner, Bradley told us in New York, was the fact that he was Smethurst's only economics student who had become a U.S. Senator.
At my dinner table were Bill Sachs, who was the brother of Daniel M. Sachs, and Dan's widow, Joan Sachs Shaw. Dan was an all-Ivy League football player at Princeton University and a Rhodes Scholar at Worcester, 1960-63. Dan played for the Oxford University rugby team, but in 1961 was"aced" out of playing against the Cambridge University team for the all important "Oxford Blue" honor when the Oxford captain prevailed upon Pete Dawkins to return to the team for the Cambridge match. (Dawkins was a running back for Army who in 1958 won the Heisman Trophy for the best football player in the U.S. and who was a Rhodes Scholar PPE student at another Oxford college, 1958-62.[4])
Dan Sachs was a friend of mine during those Oxford days, and In June 1963 he was my best man when Mary Alyce and I were married in Oxford.
After Dan's untimely death in 1967, friends established in his honor a Sachs Scholarship for a Princeton graduate to attend Worcester College.[5] The most famous Sachs Scholar so far is Elena Kagan, now U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice.[6]
[1] Wikipedia, Richard Smethurst, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Smethurst.
[2] Worcester College, University of Oxford, http://www.worc.ox.ac.uk/.
[3] Wikipedia, Bill Bradley, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Bradley.
[4] Pete Dawkins, http://www.petedawkins.com/.
[5] Princeton University, Daniel M. Sachs Class of 1960 Scholarship, http://www.princeton.edu/sachs/index.xml.
[6] Wikipedia, Elena Kagan, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elena_Kagan.
Posted on May 17, 2011 August 30, 2011 Author dwkcommentariesCategories Higher education, Personal, PoliticsTags Bill Bradley, Daniel M. Sachs, Justice Elena Kagan, Pete Dawkins, Philosophy Politics & Economics (PPE), Rhodes Scholarship, Richard Smethurst, University of Oxford, Worcester College
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← Marley Marl – In Control Volume II (October 7, 1991)
Digital Underground – Sons Of The P (October 15, 1991) →
The U.M.C.'s – Fruits Of Nature (October 15, 1991)
Carlos "Hass G" Evans and "Kool Kim" Sharpton met while working at the Statue of Liberty in New York city, along with future Wu-Tang Clan members U-God, Method Man, and Inspectah Deck. All 5 parties would hone their skills spitting together and before long, Hass G and Kool Kim would break off from the rest as the two would form the Universal MC's, better known to the world as The U.M.C.'s. Even though the U.M.C.'s came up with a lot of the Wu members, their sound was completely different then what their Staten Island brethren would come with a few years down the line. While Wu had a grimy sound the U.M.C.'s were more polished and wholesome. Some have even compared them to Kid N Play and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince because of their PG content.
The U.M.C.'s would eventually ink a deal with Wild Pitch and released their debut album Fruits Of Nature in 1991. Hass G and RNS (who is often credited as the man who taught the Rza how to make beats) handle all of the album's production duties. Fruits Of Nature would go on to receive fairly solid reviews and their album cover will forever be immortalized as a poster on Martin Payne's living room wall on the popular sitcom Martin. It must be stated that Hass and Kim were the first hip-hoppers from Staten Island to refer to their home as Shaolin and rep the Wu-Tang style on wax, a few years prior to the Wu-Tang Clan takeover (more on that later).
The U.M.C.'s would release one more album on Wild Pitch (which will get to in a bit (or a few years)) before disbanding. Hass would go on to produce hit records for the likes of Ghostface Killah, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, and Lil' Kim, under the aliases of Hassan and later Carlos "Phantom on the Beat" Evans. Kool Kim would reinvent himself as semi-thug-semi-conscious rapper NY Oil, sounding or resembling nothing like his former self. There was talk of a U.M.C's reunion a few years ago as a song was even floating around the cyber world. Nothing has come of said reunion yet, but it's not like any one is really checking for a new U.M.C.'s album in 2015 any way.
One To Grow On – This was the second single from Fruits Of Nature, and its an undeniable banger. Hass G and RNS sample Blue Mitchell's "Good Humor Man" record for the backdrop, throw in a zany break from Bill Cosby's "Ursalena" and a well placed horn sample as the cherry on top. Lyrically Hass and Kim stay in the pocket and don't do anything to mess things up as they spit insightful rhymes of encouragement. These are the moments that I cherish most about the nineties. This is a severely underrated and forgotten gem.
Kraftworks – Over a dark jazzy instrumental Kim & Haas talk their brand of intricate shit. I love this beat. RNS and Hass were nice on the boards even way back then.
Morals – Just what hip-hop could use nowadays, and ironically one of the main reasons heads weren't really checking for the U.M.C.'s back in the day. Kim and Hass use this somber instrumental to discuss the importance of having and living up to your morals as well as what happens to those without them. The Bill Wither's vocal sample at the end of the song was a nice added touch.
Blue Cheese – This was the lead off single from Fruits Of Nature. Until recently I never really understood what they meant by the title, which is kind of another way to call someone a wack emcee. Hass and Kim's rhymes come off so polite you'd think they're complimenting the rapper the dis is aimed at. Hass & RNS hook up a mid-tempo groove that's so sweet you could put a wrapper on it and call it skittles. This sounds better today than it did 2o plus years ago. Fine wine, baby.
Swing It To The Area – Fruits Of Nature takes a slight step back with this one. Kim and Hass sound okay as they spit decent battle rhymes, with a twist thrown in on the instrumental at the end. But this one is forgettable.
Never Never Land – Our host along with an assist from the Berkeley Carroll Summer Choir spend approximately 4 minutes talking about Peter Pan's stomping ground. I know, the title makes it sound cheesy, but it's not that bad. And the instrumental is sick.
You Got My Back – Over a decent instrumental Kim and Hass take the time to shout out each other on this ode to faithful friends. Nice and positive.
Jive Talk – The U.M.C.'s discuss the reasons brothers lie and what the end results of those lies can bring. I love the instrumental work on this one. I'm starting to sound like a broken record.
Feelings – This one can be categorized as emo, as Hass and Kim are, as the kids say, all up in their feelings, as they tenderly express how they feel about a couple of prospective mates. The instrumental works well with the duo's content and guests vocalists Tonya Wilcox and Alton Sharpton provide a warm vocal assist on the hook. Some heads may find this one too soft, but I find it mature and honest.
Any Way The Wind Blows – This is probably the hardest records on Fruits Of Nature as the duo come off like they both have chips on their shoulders. In the first verse Hass makes reference to being a master Wu-tang blower. Note: Fruits Of Nature was released two years prior to Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) . Hmm. The instrumental combines an Al Green vocal sample and a Syl Johnson loop with nice results.
Pass It On – Hass and Kim invite a few of their buddies to the studio, Kwazi and Prophet, for this cipher joint. The instrumental was way too bland, lacking energy and all 4 emcees reciprocate the feeling. It was mildly interesting to hear Haas and Kim both make references to their Wu-Tang flow, but this song is garbage.
Woman Be Out – Hass and Kim temporarily take off their Mr. nice guy hats so they can tell a couple of conniving chicks to kick rocks. The instrumental is decent with a perfectly placed Wilson Pickett vocal sample on hook.
Hey Here We Go – I completely forgot about this song, and it's a banger. The chips that were on Hass and Kim's shoulders on "Any Way The Wind Blows" have returned as the duo throw verbal darts at all haters and doubters over a fire instrumental. During his first verse Kim says " I hear my old adversaries, their singing my song" then begins to sing what resembled the hook of King Just's (remember him?) mega catchy record "Warrior's Drum" ("hey ya, hey ya, hey ya, ho!"), then goes on to talk about leaving said adversaries dead on the shores of Staten and what not . Since this song was released a few years before "Warrior's Drum" started to buzz, maybe Just's joint was popular locally before it was ever recorded and released to the masses. Or maybe Kim is not only a emcees but a physic and new that Just would create a buzz around the stolen song idea 4 years later. Or it could be possible I'm way off on my assessment and reading way to into Kim's verse. It had to be aimed at somebody, though.
It's Gonna Last – Hass and RNS slow the pace down a few bpm's for this smooth laid back instrumental. Hass and Kim may spit their best verses of the evening as they declare their relevance and proclaim they will be remembered when they hang up their microphones and walk away from the game. I said it sounded good, I never said it was true.
Fruits Of Nature is the most underappreciated album of 1991 and possibly the most underappreciated album in hip-hop history. Neither Hass or Kim are excellent emcees but they are both proficient behind the mic, and sound right at home over Hass and RNS' consistently quality production. In a year stacked with classic releases, Fruits Of Nature is a forgotten gem.


Remember California's Energy Woes in November | Opinion
Kevin Cramer , Republican senator, North Dakota
On 9/10/20 at 8:00 AM EDT
Opinion California California wildfires Blackout Energy
Californians spent August in the dark—literally and figuratively. Heatwaves tore through the state, leaving millions without power during multiple days of rolling blackouts. It seems more problems are on the horizon, with the Energy Department this week approving the state's request for an emergency order to preserve the reliability of the bulk electric power system.
At fault, at least in part, is California's over-reliance on unreliable sources of energy like wind and solar. These problems were preventable and should be a wake-up call for the American people ahead of this year's election.
At its core, California is heavily dependent on renewable energy sources—most of all, solar. Renewable energy already makes up 36 percent of the state's electricity, with a mandated goal of reaching 60 percent in 2030 and 100 percent in 2040, regardless of feasibility. While Democrats claim to be the modern-day champions of combating climate change, they also seem to be banking on perpetual sunshine and steady breezes to power their grid. This unrealistic, politically driven approach irresponsibly puts families and communities at risk.
For years, supporters of baseload generation, like coal and nuclear, have warned of the perils we are seeing today. California has thumbed its nose at these reliable sources while mandating inherently unreliable generators, like wind and solar. If you want to be assured the lights will come on with a flip of the switch, your grid needs coal and nuclear's 24/7 generation capability. Unlike renewables, they work despite the weather or the time of day. Ironically, California is awash with wind and sunshine, yet its power markets are clearly failing. While lowering emissions further is a goal we all share, it must be done in a way that works. Whether there is a heatwave on the West Coast or a polar vortex in the Midwest or Northeast, reliable energy sources are vital to keeping our communities thriving and safe. Coal, nuclear and natural gas power our schools, hospitals, and businesses with in-home heating units in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. As Californians experienced, when the lights go out, life shuts down.
Thankfully, we have a president who understands this. Since the day he took office, President Trump has prioritized a resilient grid, and his administration has proposed policies to better maintain transmission lines, make nuclear plant operations more efficient and accurately value the benefit of reliable baseload generation. The president also signed the FUTURE Act into law, which expanded carbon capture tax credits to make power generators like coal more efficient and clean. These actions give Americans more affordable utilities, while lowering carbon emissions to their lowest point in 25 years.
Wildfires in California JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images
The contrast to his opponent could not be more obvious. The Obama-Biden administration launched a war on coal, authored the job-killing Clean Power Plan and weaponized its executive authority to go after the energy producers who help keep the lights on when wind and solar fall short. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would rather pursue the radical ideals of the Green New Deal than keep the lights on for their constituents. States like Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Colorado could become the next victims of the Left's radical environmental agenda, should they be forced to follow California's model of scrapping reliable sources of power in exchange for flighty wind and solar generation.
There is no reason to believe these liberals, or California's leaders, won't continue to remain in the dark about the horrible ramifications of their policies. While California Governor Gavin Newsom admits he failed to adequately prepare, he still wants "to radically [change] the way we produce and consume energy." Simply put, Governor Newsom will keep pushing the state toward an overdependence on unreliable energy, no matter the cost and without backup from reliable, American-made energy.
The American people can choose to support energy security and reliability this November. With a Californian on the ballot, let's head to the polls remembering which path to avoid.
Kevin Cramer, a Republican, is the junior U.S. senator from North Dakota.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


Keg sizzles on yin and yang of recession
David Aisenstat is one of those lucky Vancouver souls who can stay at home and still see the full splendour of the famed Celebration of Light fireworks festival as it sparks and sparkles over English Bay.
But that simple pleasure had fizzled out for this year, as the recession toppled the already tottering financing of the Vancouver summer event. Fizzled, that is, until Wednesday, when another Vancouver icon stepped in to help – the Keg steakhouse chain, headed by Mr. Aisenstat.
The Keg's president and chief executive officer is being modest, demurring from claiming the main credit for saving the festival. Instead, he muses about the "yin and yang" of the recession, which has dried up funding for events such as the Celebration of Light just when people could use a little inexpensive frivolity. "It's probably the time it's the most beneficial," he says.
When times are tough, life's little pleasures are all the more needed. And, as has become the Keg's good fortune, steak dinners seem to be one of those little pleasures. Announcing his company's sponsorship of the fireworks festival, Mr. Aisenstat alluded to the Keg's relative prosperity even as consumer spending shrivels.
Again, he's being modest. Even a brief examination of the Keg's financial statements, by way of its associated income trust, shows that the steakhouse chain more than held its own in the opening stages of the economic downturn. In the fourth quarter, the Keg's gross sales were up 7 per cent from the year-ago quarter; on a same-store basis, sales were down 2.2 per cent. A decline might not seem terribly impressive, but it is better than how its part of the industry is faring – a little better, if you use the restaurant industry's projections of a 3.1-per-cent decline in the coming year, and a lot better, if you use some analysts' forecasts of an 8- to 10-per-cent decline in casual dining receipts.
The Keg Royalties Income Fund, paid out from a percentage of sales, has been able to maintain distributions. And while those units have tumbled from their highs of a year ago, they have rebounded smartly in the past two months – even as the economic outlook has darkened – as the steakhouse chain's resilience has manifested itself.
So, what is the Keg's secret? The yin and yang of the recession, to borrow Mr. Aisenstat's phrasing. The turbulent economy may mean that some diners eat out less often – but when they do, they want to be sure that the experience is enjoyable. For those customers, the brand power of the Keg will be a draw. "We're pretty reliable," Mr. Aisenstat says. "You go to the Keg, you know what to expect. We're not trying to confuse people."
The company's financial statements bolster the argument for brand power, in a reverse fashion. Same-store sales in the United States, where the Keg doesn't command the brand presence it has in Canada, were down 16 per cent in the fourth quarter, versus just a 3-per-cent decline in Canada. Currency fluctuations limited the damage to the chain's numbers, but the difference indicates that the familiarity of the chain is a major asset in this country.
Part of the Keg's success also comes from its skill in being able to balance the need for freshening its menu with the imperative of not abandoning its culinary roots, says Doug Fisher, president of food service consultancy FHG International Inc. In doing so, the Keg has concentrated on building new items around its central menu of grilled beef.
Take one of the latest new appetizers: grilled flatbread with tomato sauce, bocconcini cheese, fresh basil and a balsamic glaze. On its own, it's a dish that seems a little out of place sitting next to a baked potato. But such changes, along with seasonal promotions, have allowed the chain to freshen its menu without resorting to the kind of brand-blurring disasters that seem to stalk successful restaurant chains.
The yin and yang of the recession could be helping the Keg in another way, Mr. Aisenstat says. Even though most consumers haven't been directly hurt by the recession, economic worries are undoubtedly keeping them from buying new cars, new homes and other big-ticket items.
But a $100 steak dinner? That's one of those little pleasures that is all the more enjoyable when times are tough. "It's a relatively inexpensive luxury," he says.
PATRICK BRETHOUR
Globe and Mail March 13, 2009


'Federally Supported, State Managed, Locally Executed' Disaster Recovery
Homes are surrounded by flood water in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey near Galveston, Texas. Charlie Riedel / AP Photo
By Dave Nyczepir,
By Dave Nyczepir
FEMA wants state and local governments to play a 'larger role' post-disaster while shifting those funds to mitigation.
State and Federal Relations
Federal and City Relations
WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants to quadruple its investment in disaster mitigation by 2022 using aid money, a plan supported by regional officials in beleaguered states like Texas—so long as the funding formula is amenable.
On Monday, the Trump administration proposed a budget including a record $85 billion for disaster aid, and 2018 stands to see an unprecedented amount of mitigation funding flow to areas impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
Awarding money typically doled out post-disaster to communities based on risk "would be a force multiplier in mitigation," Daniel Kaniewski, FEMA's deputy administrator for protection and national preparedness, told Route Fifty following a speech at the National Association of Regional Councils' winter meeting in D.C.
"We believe that mitigation dollars should be available to every community prior to a disaster, but by law most of our mitigation dollars are only available to those communities hit by a disaster," Kaniewski said. "What about all those communities that haven't been hit by a disaster and have known vulnerabilities?"
Texas Association of Regional Councils Executive Director Ginny Lewis liked the idea in theory but didn't want to see areas that have never experienced a disaster prioritized in a competitive process to the detriment of those like her own, which was hard hit by Hurricane Harvey and is at higher risk of another. More mitigation money is an improvement, she said, but "the funding formula will be very telling."
Every $1 spent on mitigation saves $6 in necessary post-disaster aid, according to a National Institute of Building Sciences report released in January.
"Recovery takes too long and it costs too much, said Chuck Wemple, Houston-Galveston Area Council chief operation officer. "So whatever we can do to increase mitigation and diversion is a great investment of funds."
Coherent multi-year strategies would be required of areas competing for mitigation funds, Kaniewski said, but that would allow localities to prioritize resilience efforts in their own backyards.
A change in the Stafford Act regulating aid is necessary to shift funds to mitigation, but currently 75 percent of all presidentially declared disasters are small—requiring $41 million or less in assistance. FEMA envisions "federally supported, state-managed, locally executed" disaster response, where state and local governments "play a larger role" moving forward, Kaniewski said.
"Texas is a great example of a state that has both the interest and the ability to step up and manage their own recovery program," he said. "For those states, particularly the smaller ones, that may not have that capability, we are beginning a dialogue with them and finding out what gaps they may have that would prevent them from executing a portion of that vision."
FEMA soon plans to announce a pilot program in a handful of states supporting gaps in their recovery, Kaniewski said.
In the meantime, the agency has begun outreach to state and local governments, which includes appearances at meetings like NARC's.
"I think it's reassuring to hear an emphasis on local program implementation and allowing states to have more input and control in how the programs are run," Lewis said
Where the money for mitigation will come from in the budget is another story.
"The budget is what it is," Kaniewski said. "[FEMA Administrator] Brock Long supports the president's budget but also acknowledges that, going forward, we need to take the post-disaster money and move it pre-disaster."
Dave Nyczepir is a News Editor at Government Executive's Route Fifty and is based in Washington, D.C.
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Blake Shelton Reveals the Sweet 'Handmade' Gift Gwen Stefani Got Him for His Birthday
The "God's County" singer turned 43 on Tuesday
By Brianne Tracy
John Shearer/ACMA2019/Getty
Not only did Gwen Stefani throw boyfriend Blake Shelton an epic pizza party to celebrate his birthday, but she also surprised him with a thoughtful gift.
The No Doubt front woman gifted the "God's Country" singer — who turned 43 on Tuesday — a "huge" sign to put on display at his Oklahoma ranch.
"It's like a 'Welcome to the Ranch'-type sign," Shelton told PEOPLE at the Universal Studios Backlot BBQ for IHG Rewards Club Chase Mastercard cardholders on Friday. "It was a handmade deal. It's pretty cool."
Stefani, 49, held the pizza party at her house on Thursday night and invited over friends and family. While she was the one to share multiple photos and videos documenting the night on social media, it turns out that Shelton was actually the one behind the idea for the birthday festivities.
"[Gwen] said, 'What do you want?' I go, 'Well, there's a big pizza oven out there, so we need to figure out how to use that thing,'" he said. "So they have a friend who actually owns a pizza restaurant here in town, he came over and knew how to do it."
"I have no idea how to do any of that stuff," he added. "It's either a frozen pizza for me or Pizza Hut."
Blake Shelton's pizza party
Gwen Stefani/Instagram; Inset: Steve Granitz/WireImage
Gwen's sons Kingston, 13, Zuma, 10, and Apollo, 5 — whom she shares with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale — also joined in on the birthday fun, and they even wrote out sweet cards for Shelton.
"Christmas, birthdays, any kind of holiday — they always sit down and take time to write a message and draw pictures or something," he said. "Those are the coolest, coolest things, you know? It's something I never experienced in my life. When they take time and actually make something, it's pretty cool."
RELATED: Gwen Stefani Throws Blake Shelton a Birthday Pizza Party and Jokes About Beating Him on The Voice
Kingston Rossdale, Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Apollo Rossdale and Zuma Rossdale
Steve Granitz/WireImage
In between the birthday festivities on Thursday, Stefani also shared in one of her Instagram Stories that she can't wait to return to The Voice this season — and hopefully "beat" Shelton.
"I'm glad that's she's already feeling competitive," Shelton said in response. "Of course, I'm not going to let her win. I'm going to have to win, but I'm going to have to do it in a way that she doesn't feel like I beat her. I don't know if that's possible or not because I definitely don't want to upset her — that's not going to pay off for me in the long run. This will be her fourth time on the show, so she's no stranger to it. She knows what she's doing."
Gwen Stefani's message to Blake Shelton
Gwen Stefani/Instagram
While Shelton admits that it "sucks" that Adam Levine will no longer sit beside him on the show since announcing his departure in May, he thinks that NBC made the right call by asking Stefani to fill his spot.
"We're all going to miss out Adam," he said. "There's no way around it. But she's way better looking than he is, in my opinion."
When it comes to working with Stefani, Shelton said he can "never get enough of her."
"Even when I have a day off and she's working, I'll go with her to whatever she's doing," he explained.
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
At the Backyard BBQ event held on Friday, IHG Rewards Club Chase Mastercard cardholders were treated to an intimate performance by Shelton of his hits like "Sangria" and "God's Country," along with a Q&A. After the performance, Shelton joined the crowd for a game of giant beer pong as a fun way to kick off summer.
"Any time I partner with anybody on something like this, it has to make sense," he said. "[A] hot air balloon ride with Blake Shelton — that wouldn't make sense to me. But backyard barbecue and playing the guitar a little bit? That sounds fun to me, and it feels natural to me, and I think it'll help everybody here be relaxed and happy and have fun."
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Missouri House gives final approval to photo ID legislation; bill also allows no-excuse absentee voting
March 26, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth
Legislation that requires a photo ID and the use of a paper ballot was given final approval by the Missouri House in Jefferson City on Thursday. The vote, primarily along party lines, was 109-48.
Missouri House Elections and Elected Officials Committee Chairman Dan Shaul (R-Imperial) speaks on the House floor in Jefferson City on March 25, 2021 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)
House Bill 738 is sponsored by veteran State Rep. Don Rone (R-Portageville), who represents the Bootheel. Rone was unable to make it to the Capitol on Thursday, so State Rep. Dan Shaul (R-Imperial) presented it. Shaul chairs the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee.
"Paper ballot, it will become the official ballot and it shall be hand-marked by the voter. That will become the official ballot as of January of (20)22," Shaul tells House colleagues.
The bill also repeals electronic voting language, with the exception of voting equipment used by disabled residents. The bill also allows no-excuse absentee voting starting the third Tuesday before an election, with photo identification. The bill also requires local election authorities to be members of the Center for Internet Security.
It also repeals mail-in voting provisions that were allowed in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Chairman Shaul says it also includes other key provisions.
"It's going to allow candidates to hire their own poll workers. You can't be compensated for people who solicit voter registration applications," says Shaul.
House Democrats are critical of the photo ID requirement, with State Rep. Joe Adams (D-University City) saying that provision is "despicable." Representative Adams, who serves on the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee, blasted Republicans during a short floor speech, saying they will disenfranchise voters.
"I think we're trying to fix particularly with this voter ID portion and how will you vote, we're trying to fix a problem that does not exist," Adams says.
The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition urged the House to vote no, saying the bill will erect barriers to the ballot for thousands of eligible Missouri voters.
But bill supporters such as Debby Jones disagree: she testifies that voter ID will stop fraud and will ensure an accurate vote count. The Missouri House received more than 50 pages of written testimony, about this bill.
Rone's bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration.
Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet
Filed Under: Elections, Health / Medicine, History, Legislature, News Tagged With: Center for Internet Security, COVID, Debby Jones, House Bill 738, Imperial, mail-in voting, Missouri House Elections and Elected Officials Committee Chairman Dan Shaul, Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, no-excuse absentee voting, paper ballots, photo ID requirement, Portageville, State Rep. Don Rone, State Rep. Joe Adams, University City
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Are home bidding wars finally cooling down?
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"While competition waned in November, it was still higher than a year earlier, which is a sign that demand will be strong in the new year," he said.
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Richmond, Va. saw the highest bidding-war rate of the 44 US metros in Redfin's analysis, with 80% of offers written by Redfin agents facing competition in November. Salt Lake City and San Diego followed at 73.8% and 72%, respectively. Honolulu (71.1%) and Dallas (70.6%) rounded out the top five.
"Bidding wars are still happening, but buyers are starting to get more breathing room," said Jill Thompson, a Redfin agent in Indianapolis, where the bidding-war rate dropped to 36.8% in November from 73.6% in October.
"A few months ago, the typical home was going for $15,000 to $20,000—sometimes even $50,000—over the asking price. Buyers were paying cash, waiving inspection contingencies, and overlooking necessary repairs in order to win," Thompson continued. "Today, buyers are more cautious about overpaying, aren't waiving inspections as freely as they were in the spring, and feel less of a rush to commit to a house after the first tour."


10 FOODS YOU MUST TRY IN SF
The Boudin Bakery on Fishermans Wharf specializes in San Francisco-style sourdough bread.
Guide to food The
City is famous for
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multi-starred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamor of Fisherman's Wharf.
And with the Super Bowl heading to nearby Santa Clara, the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won't be disappointed. If you're lucky enough to be among them — whether you're looking to dine on one of the city's iconic standbys or venture into cutting-edge cuisine — here's a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and where to find them.
Anchor Brewing and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid-century Americans developed a taste for mass-produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first-person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting. Reservations are required; you can make them here: http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours . Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant (563 2nd St.), which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub.
CIOPPINO
This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They'd toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day's catch — crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. — along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region's culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare (552 Green St.). Tadich Grill (240 California St.) also is a good choice.
This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco's Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman's Wharf (2765 Hyde St.).
You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman's Wharf, http://www.fishermanswharf.org . For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long (4101 Judah St.). Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown (631 Kearny St.).
For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid, a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants. http://offthegridsf.com/
Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar (399 The Embarcadero). Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building.
— SOURDOUGH
The region's tradition of sourdough — bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or "mother" dough — dates back to the Gold Rush. Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 — according to bakery history the original "mother dough" was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake — has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman's Wharf location (160 Jefferson St). It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery (600 Guerrero St.).
Whether you're parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (150 Stockton St., Level Four). Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens (730 Howard St.). English tea service starts at $24.
If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel's Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel's indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at (950 Mason St.). Another option is Smuggler's Cove, which has more than 400 rums (650 Gough St.).
Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it's a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands (2 Marina Blvd., Fort Mason Center Building A). You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. http://ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers_market.php For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa (121 Spear St.). There are no waiters or cashiers here. You place your order on wall-mounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall to display your name in lights, indicating your order's ready. Eatsa specializes in quinoa-vegetable bowls in myriad combinations. All are vegetarian and some are vegan.


Chicory: A Colorful Tale (2021)
Developer: Greg Lobanov, Alexis Dean-Jones, Lena Raine, Madeleine Berger, A Shell in the Pit
I'm so excited to be putting out this review about two weeks after release, as this is a game I've been looking forward to for a long time. I backed this game on Kickstarter without a second thought because it was being headed by Greg Lobanov, creator of Wandersong (currently still #2 on the Sleepy Toadstool ranked list). I only began supporting new Kickstarter projects was in 2019, and Chicory: A Colorful Tale is the first of those supported projects to come to fruition. It's exciting to see the brand new game all ready for you on day one after being there for the first announcement for it. Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top-down adventure game in a coloring book world that's yours to create. Chicory is incredibly emotional, relatable, and charming in its story and characters while also managing to make anyone feel creatively uninhibited with its unique gameplay.
The first thing you're asked to enter when you start is not your name, but instead, your favorite food. Except, almost everyone in this world is named after a food so it turns out you did just enter in your character's name after all (the name I gave, "Bread", eventually grew on me). In the world of Chicory, one artist is assigned to be the "wielder" of a magical brush that gives color and art to the province of Picnic. You play as a small dog works as a janitor in the Wielder Tower, where the current wielder lives. This protagonist a big fan of the current wielder, a bunny named Chicory who appears to be vastly talented. You're working hard at cleaning the studio, when suddenly the room shakes violently and all the color is gone, leaving everything blank. Thinking you caused it with your cleaning, you go alert Chicory of the situation. Instead, you stumble upon the magical brush on the ground outside of Chicory's locked door. Deciding to fix the problem yourself, you snatch the brush and proceed out of the building to paint the town. After some adventures, you decide to return the brush to Chicory, only to find she has renounced the brush and doesn't want it back. She's clearly not doing okay, but she doesn't want to be bothered, so you proudly take on the task of wielder. You're gutsy and determined to continue painting everything back in as well as fighting the mysterious root of "corruption" that seems to be making black trees appear throughout Picnic. In the town of Luncheon, where you live, towns folk will ask you to paint their homes, design logos, and help put the color back in their town, which you're happy to do. The trend continues as you travel on, with everyone you meet asking you, the new wielder, for help with anything and everything.
Quicker than in Animal Crossing, I've succeeded in making the whole town wear my ugly Triforce shirt.
As you would expect from Lena Raine, the music in Chicory is absolutely stellar. It portrays both the serene, peaceful, bubbly world of Picnic as well as the incredibly heavy and stressful moments, such as boss fights. Did the boss fight music sometimes remind me of Celeste? Yes, but that's definitely not a bad thing. There's also a beautiful, powerful lyrical track to top it all off. The art is just as the description says - like a fresh coloring book. That means it's got incredibly crisp, clear black lines in a blank world. It makes color pop incredibly well, whether you color in an object, a character, or just run your brush across the screen. Since you are essentially responsible for coloring in the world, it can look incredibly different depending on what you choose to do. Through most of the game, you're limited to a palette of 4 different colors, with the colors depending on what area of Picnic you're currently in. However, a later in the game you're given the freedom to be a little more creative (I won't say more than that). You can also give your character a look all of your own using the incredibly vast number of clothing items you can find everywhere. One incredibly wacky and amazing feature of Chicory is the ability to make animated gifs out of anything you draw. This includes both drawing in the overworld and drawing paintings as part of the your art class sidequest. I think it's genius, as obviously everyone loves gifs and it encourages players to post about their creations to social media.
Much like in Wandersong, each character in Chicory is quite fleshed out and has a lot to their story that you can discover if you spend time talking to them. One of the most emotional parts of the game for me was actually a side-quest story with non-protagonist characters that completely caught me off guard. This is what made it so worthwhile for me to play this game to the fullest. Even when I knew I could go to the end part of the game, I continued exploring to fill my map, finish sidequests, and find new clothing items. As I've said before, I'm not a completionist, so it was definitely story and exploration based motivation for me to continue to do as much as I could before beating the game. The only side quest I didn't really "feel" like completing was the art lessons where you'd draw a given assignment, only because completing one after the other got a little tiring and the tools to do so were fairly limited. It's probably possible to beat this game in 10-15 hours, but I ended up spending almost 20 hours on it. The gameplay, at least on mouse and keyboard, works perfectly as it should for what it's supposed to be. You can control the protagonist with the keys, while using the brush with the mouse. This is especially helpful with boss fights, which can actually be tough and require a good bit of coordination. The game is extremely forgiving, however, and isn't meant to be difficult to beat - it gives you many accessibility options to change your experience with bosses. Puzzles involve using the paint in clever ways in order to reach previously unreachable areas.
Boss fights aesthetically are a literal contrast to the overworld. Also, your paint disappears quickly after being used.
Without going in to it too much, I can say that Chicory is wonderfully joyful and silly while also being quite dark and heavy. It deals with very real topics of depression, impostor syndrome, and grief. This is important to know going in. However, it deals with these topics incredibly well, and your character is able to both help others and be helped by others when going through a very difficult moments. Also, as someone who's not an artist, it's still pretty clear that this is a story about what it's like being an artist - the good and the bad. Complex issues about who's a real artist, what others expect of you, and never being "good enough" are at the root of the story's conflict. Chicory made me see from a different perspective by playing a protagonist who was so wholeheartedly passionate about what they wanted to do, and yet was still very overwhelmed by people's demands and requests made of them.
You can use the in-game camera to take zoomed in shots with different filters, poses, and facial expressions.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is, without a doubt, one of my favorite games of 2021. There's nothing quite like it and it nails the "drawing game" mechanic in a way that other games I've tried have not. Greg Lobanov has officially created two indie games that I deeply love, both of which use creativity as a gameplay tool, so I'm definitely a big fan. I highly recommend this game to any fans of Zelda-likes, deep story games, and anyone who knows what it's like to be an artist. It's a game for anyone, really, as it's so accessible and even has a two-player mode. It's a genuine and compelling story of friendship, community support, and self-love. You could spend even more hours on it than I did if you decide to color every space on the map, or find every gift item in the game. There's just so much wonder and fun in every nook and cranny of Chicory.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is available on PC and PS4/PS5.
Played on: PC
Finished: 6/3/2021
Playtime: 19 hours
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist (2022)
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Panel Orders Predatory Lending Claims Consolidated
The Federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation announced yesterday that all lawsuits against Calabasas-based Countrywide Financial Corporation alleging predatory lending practices will be consolidated and heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
The litigation presently consists of two actions in that district, three actions in this district, one action in the Northern District of Illinois and one action in the Western District of Kentucky, all of which will now go to U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings.
Countrywide moved for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407 in this district, which the attorneys general of California and Illinois and the city attorney of San Diego opposed.
After the California and Illinois attorneys general settled claims in their actions against Countrywide, the lender sought to withdraw its Sec. 1407 motion insofar as it related to the California and Illinois actions.
In an opinion authored by panel chairman John G. Heyburn II, the panel found that all of the actions in the litigation involved common questions of fact, and that centralization was appropriate because it would eliminate duplicative discovery, eliminate the risk of inconsistent pretrial rulings, and conserve resources.
"The sufficiency of class allegations is an overarching issue in the putative nationwide class actions," Heyburn noted, which shared factual questions regarding whether Countrywide had originated or serviced residential mortgages in an unlawful, unfair or deceptive fashion, misrepresented or concealed the terms, risk, or suitability of the loans, or placed borrowers in loans they could not afford.
The panel also denied Countrywide's motion to withdraw the California and Illinois attorneys general's actions from centralization because the actions shared factual questions with the remaining claims.
Even though the California and Illinois attorneys general and San Diego city attorney opposed inclusion of their actions in the centralized proceedings and contested federal jurisdiction over their claims, the panel ruled that their objections should be presented to Sabraw in the interest of economy and efficacy, and urged Sabraw to consider their claims expeditiously.
Heyburn explained that the panel selected the Southern District because two of the seven actions were pending there, Countrywide's principal place of business is in California, several parties, witnesses and documents could be found within the state, and the district had the capacity to handle the litigation.
Panel members J. Frederick Motz, Kathryn H. Vratil, W. Royal Furgeson Jr., Robert L. Miller Jr., and David R. Hansen joined Heyburn in his opinion.


In: Poetry, Tamil Nadu Board
What are the poetic devices used in the poem Incident of the French Camp?
British PoetryDramatic MonologueIncident of the French CampRobert BrowningTamil Nadu Board Class 12
2022-01-15T08:57:16+05:30Added an answer on January 15, 2022 at 8:57 am
Following figures of speech have been used in the poem Incident of the French Camp:
Alliteration- It is the occurrence of the same sound at the beginning of closely connected words. Examples- "Stood on our storming-day", "army-leader Lannes", "held himself erect", "The Marshal's in the market-place", "bruised eaglet breathes", "flag-bird flap"
Enjambment– It is the continuation of a sentence to multiple lines. Many of the sentences in this poem span multiple lines and are therefore of this nature.
Simile- A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two things. Example- "his plans/ Soared up again like fire"
Repetition- It is the repetition of a word or a phrase in the poem for poetic effect. Example- "bound on bound"
Personification– Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. Example- "smiling joy".
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Horoscope for Oct. 19
Bernice Bede Osol
Instead of taking gambles on persons or things about which you know little, bet only on yourself in the year ahead. You'll have several good potential projects and, even if you fail, you'll know why and what to do about it in the future.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Take care not to let your anger out on an innocent bystander if you are overpowered or outmaneuvered on an important matter. Count to 10 before opening your mouth.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Maintain mental discipline regardless of what happens to throw you off. Underestimating the value of essential elements in your endeavors could cause you to unravel.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Keep both your social and business contacts separate and, above all, avoid all speculative arrangements with friends. If things don't go the way they should, you'll be to blame.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Taking on more objectives or projects that you can comfortably manage is self-defeating, so don't gamble on your workload. Dedicate yourself to only one or two targets.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Don't be coerced into putting your signature on something that you're hesitant about, and be wary of even a verbal commitment. What you agree to might be deliberately distorted.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) It behooves you to be self-reliant, because people upon whom you depend might make promises they later find they can't keep. Personal requirements will take precedence over yours.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) If you're a bit slow and your thinking isn't quite as sharp as it usually is, forgo attempting to match wits with an adversary. Back off until a riper time.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Look before you leap when attempting to handle a complex assignment. You could easily misread something and end up making your task twice as hard to accomplish.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) There is a strong chance that some social plans you've been looking forward to will get canceled or postponed. Be prepared with some backup plans so you won't experience a total letdown.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) It's never smart to allow someone who can be dead weight into an arrangement where you and several others are aiming for a specific target. He or she is likely to hold you back once again.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) There is one thing that could cause you much disarray, and that is proceeding forward on an idea without laying out a proper game plan. Take a moment to formulate one.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Unless you are prudent in the management of your resources, you're not likely to have the financial wherewithal to make ends meet when you really need to.
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Merck wins European approval for first-ever Ebola vaccine
Posted by Reuters | Nov 11, 2019
(Reuters) – U.S. drugmaker Merck & Co Inc on Monday received approval from the European Commission to market (http://bit.ly/2NZ0QMB) its Ebola vaccine, less than a month after a European medicines panel backed the first-ever vaccine against the deadly virus.
The vaccine, Ervebo, is approved for individuals aged 18 years and older and has already been used under emergency guidelines to try to protect against the spread of a deadly Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo.
The shot is also being reviewed by U.S. health regulators and a decision is expected in the first quarter of next year.
The Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever and spreads from person to person through direct contact with body fluids. It kills around half of those it infects.
Since the middle of last year, the Congo Ebola outbreak has killed more than 2,100 people, making it the second-largest Ebola outbreak in history, after the 2013-16 epidemic in West Africa that killed more than 11,300.
"The EU is supporting international efforts to combat Ebola on all fronts, from vaccine development to delivering humanitarian aid on the ground," EU Ebola Coordinator Christos Stylianides said in a statement dated Nov. 10.
Merck has said its priority was to get regulatory approval of its Ervebo manufacturing site in Germany so that licensed supply of the vaccine "can be used to support global public health preparedness".
(Reporting by Saumya Sibi Joseph in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
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